‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) softened a miswak for Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) before his demise

Question

I have read that after Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) softened the miswak with her mouth and gave it to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to use during his final illness, she said “From all the blessed wives of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), I am the only one who had the honour of having had her saliva touch the blessed mouth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)”

Does this mean that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) never kissed his wives?

 

Answer

I have not come across the words you have cited. The following version is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and many other Hadith collections:

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said, “Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) passed away in my home, on my day, on the upper part of my chest, and Allah joined my saliva and his.” She said, ‘Abdur Rahman (radiyallahu ‘anhu) came in with a miswak but Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was too weak. So I took it, chewed it and brushed his teeth with it.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 3100)

 

Other versions state, ‘Allah Ta’ala joined my saliva and his on his last day on earth.’

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 4451. Also see Hadith: 4449)

 

These versions of the Hadith do not imply that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) never kissed his wives.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar