Question
Please authenticate this narration:
They then sent Zaynab bint Jahsh who went to him and used harsh words saying:
“Your wives request you to treat them and the daughter of Ibn Abu Quhafah (i.e, ‘Aaishah) on equal terms.”
On that she raised her voice and scolded at ‘Aaishah to her face so much so that Allah’s Apostle looked at ‘Aaishah to see whether she would retort.
‘Aaishah started replying to Zaynab till she silenced her.
The Prophet then looked at ‘Aaishah and said, “She is really the daughter of Abu Bakr (radiyallahu’anhum).”
Answer
This is part of a longer narration recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
A summary of the incident is that the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) knew the extreme love that Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) had for his wife, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu’anha) and would therefore send their gifts for Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) when he was at her house.
The other wives -naturally- felt that this was unfair and that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) should tell the Sahabah not to single ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu’anha) with this privilege.
This is what is meant by the following words in the narration:
‘Your wives request you to treat them and the daughter of Ibn Abu Quhafah (i.e, ‘Aaishah) on equal terms.’
[Strictly speaking, there was no inequality here on the part of Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam)]
When Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu’anha) then managed to silence/dominate Sayyidatuna Zaynab (radiyallahu’anha) – despite her tender age- Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) praised her eloquence, sharp mindedness and intellect by saying:
‘She is really the daughter of Abu Bakr.’
This was a case of: like father, like daughter.
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2581 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6240. Also see Fathul Bari, Hadith: 2581)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar