Question

Regarding the following Hadith, why did Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) sell her slave to the worst of Arabs?

‘Amrah (rahimahallah) has narrated that: Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) once made a slave girl of hers a Mudabbar [i.e., a slave that is set free after death]. Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) then fell ill. Her nephews inquired from an Indian or Sudanese doctor [about her condition], and he said: “You are most certainly [describing or] informing me about a bewitched woman; her slave girl has bewitched her!”

‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) was then informed [about what transpired, called her slave girl] and said [i.e., asked]: “Have you bewitched [i.e., performed black magic against] me?”

She replied: “yes.”

‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) then asked: “and why [did you do so]?! You will never be successful, ever!”

Thereafter, she [i.e., ‘Aishah – radiyallahu ‘anha] said [to her relatives]: “Sell her to the worst of Arabs in conduct [i.e., sell her to those that treat their slaves in the worst of manners].

Answer

Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in his book Adabul Mufrad.

(Al-Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 162; Also see: Musnad Ahmad, vol. 6, pg. 40, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4, pg. 220, An-Nihayah, letters: زط ا, and Talkhisul Habir, Hadith: 2347)

Since Sayyidah ‘Aishah’s (radiyallahu ‘anha) slave girl dealt with her in the worst of manners [i.e., by attempting to murder her], Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) decided to punish her by selling her over to someone that would, in turn, treat her in the worst of manners.

(Hashiyatus Sindhi, vol. 5, pg. 458)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar