Question
Is the following narration authentic?
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once traveled with Sayyidah ‘Aishah and Sayyidah Hafsah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). Hafsah (radiyallahu ‘anha) requested that ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) swap conveyances for one night. Sayyidah ‘Aishah agreed.
Answer
Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration on the authority of ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha). The Hadith is therefore authentic.
The full narration (with explanatory translation) is as follows:
“When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would set out on a journey, he drew lots between his wives. During one of his journeys the lot fell on ‘Aishah and Hafsah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma). At night Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would usually travel beside ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) and talk to her. Hafsah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said to ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha), ‘Why don’t you ride my camel tonight while I ride yours and you see [what I usually see/You try my conveyance] and I can see [what you usually see/I can try your conveyance]?’
[Sayyidah ‘Aishah not realizing that Sayyidah Hafsah wants to swap conveyance as she wants Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam to speak to her that night] says, ‘Yes’.
[That night, as per his habit] Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam went to ‘Aishah’s camel which Hafsah (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) was riding, greeted her and proceeded until they camped.
‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) missed Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). When they camped, she put her feet in the grass [out of regret as she agreed to swap conveyances] and [due to the quality of self possessiveness overpowering her] said, ‘O my Rabb! Send a scorpion or snake to bite me for I cannot [blame] Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5211 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2445. Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5211 an Takmilah Fathul Mulhim, vol. 6, pg. 82)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar