Question
Could you mention the source of this incident?
On one occasion a lady made a claim of five hundred gold coins against her husband in the court of Judge Musa ibn Ishaq, which the husband denied. The wife’s lawyer proved the claim by producing witnesses. However one of the witnesses insisted that he has to see her face (which was veiled) in order to give witness in her favour. Therefore he stood up to see her face and she stood up as well.
Witnessing this, the husband’s self honour and dignity drove him to exclaim: ‘Why should a strange man’s eyes be allowed to gaze at my wife? I personally confess in the presence of the judge that I do owe my wife five hundred gold coins as her dowry, but I will never allow my wife to reveal her face to a strange man.’ Hearing this self honour and dignity of her husband, the wife replied that I make those present as witness that I have gifted the entire amount to my husband.
The judge Musa ibn Ishaq exclaimed that this should be included among the incidents of exemplary character.
Answer
Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has recorded this incident with a reliable chain of narrators.
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 10313)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar