The Incident of Ifk
The heart-wrenching incident related to Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyidah Aisha Siddiqa (رضي الله عنها) that took place in Sha’ban al-Mu’azzam will be discussed, but before that, as an introduction, another event will be mentioned.
The Battle of Muraisi‘
In Sha’ban al-Mu’azzam 5 AH, an important event took place when the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) received intelligence that Harith bin Abi Dirar, the chief of the Banu Mustaliq tribe, was preparing for war against the Muslims along with his tribe and some allied tribes. Consequently, the Prophet (ﷺ) dispatched Hazrat Buraidah bin Husaib Aslami (رضي الله عنه) to verify the situation. Upon reaching Banu Mustaliq, he met and conversed with Harith bin Abi Dirar, then returned and informed the Prophet (ﷺ) about the reality—that indeed, the people of Banu Mustaliq, under the leadership of Harith bin Abi Dirar, were about to attack the Muslims.
The Prophet (ﷺ) then instructed the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) to prepare for battle and, on the 2nd of Sha’ban 5 AH, set out towards Banu Mustaliq. Among the Mothers of the Believers (Ummahat al-Mu’minin), Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) and Sayyidah Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) accompanied him. A group of hypocrites also joined this expedition, although they had never participated in any battle before.
When Harith bin Abi Dirar and his tribe learned that the Muslim army, under the leadership of the Prophet (ﷺ), was approaching Banu Mustaliq—and after receiving news that their spy had been killed—they became extremely fearful. The other allied tribes that were with them retreated out of fear. On the other hand, the Muslim army, led by the Prophet (ﷺ), advanced to the area near Qudayd, reaching the Muraisi‘ Spring. Upon seeing this situation, Harith bin Abi Dirar prepared for battle.
The Prophet (ﷺ) arranged the ranks of the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم). He handed the Islamic army’s flag to Hazrat Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), while the flag of the Ansar was given to Hazrat Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah Ansari (رضي الله عنه). The battle lasted for some time, with both sides exchanging arrows. Eventually, upon the command of the Prophet (ﷺ), the Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) launched a sudden attack, which caused Banu Mustaliq to lose their footing. The Muslims emerged victorious, and the polytheists were defeated.
In this battle, eleven people from Banu Mustaliq were killed, including Musafi‘ bin Safwan, the first husband of Sayyidah Juwayriya (رضي الله عنها), while around six hundred people were taken captive. Among the captives was Barrah, the daughter of Harith bin Abi Dirar, who later became known as Sayyidah Juwayriya (رضي الله عنها).
The Tragic Incident of Ifk
As we have already mentioned, during this journey, among the Mothers of the Believers, Sayyidah Aishah (رضي الله عنها) and Sayyidah Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) were also accompanying the Prophet (ﷺ). The hypocrites, who were enemies of Islam, dared to cast aspersions upon her chastity and purity. This event, commonly known as the “Incident of Ifk,” was a deeply distressing tragedy. After several days of patience and steadfastness, Allah, the Almighty, ultimately affirmed her purity through divine revelation. This matter is detailed extensively in Surah An-Nur of the Qur’an.
Meaning of “Ifk”
The term Ifk refers to falsehood, slander, and baseless accusations of corruption. However, according to some linguists, Ifk does not merely denote an ordinary lie but rather a grave falsehood that completely distorts the reality of the situation.
Before reaching Madinah Munawwarah, there was a settlement called Dhi Qar’a. The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered the army to halt at this location. Just before the army’s departure, Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) went a little distance away from the camp to relieve herself in privacy. While returning, by chance, her hand touched her neck, and she suddenly stopped as she realized that the necklace she had borrowed from her sister, Sayyidah Asma (رضي الله عنها), was no longer around her neck but had fallen somewhere. She immediately turned back and began searching for it.
Meanwhile, the army was fully prepared to depart for Madinah Munawwarah. Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) assumed that she would find the necklace quickly and return, but searching for it took longer than expected. It is important to note that when she left, she had not informed anyone that she was stepping away to relieve herself. The camel drivers, responsible for lifting and securing the howdah onto the camel, assumed that she was inside it.
Note: The howdah was a palanquin-like structure in which women used to travel. Since the commandments of purdah (modesty) had already been revealed, the noble wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) and other Muslim women would travel while observing complete modesty. The curtains of the howdah were lowered, and the camel drivers, believing that Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was inside, secured the howdah onto the camel and proceeded with the army.
At that time, Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was around 14 or 15 years old, and her physique was slender. This is why the camel drivers did not realize whether she was inside the howdah or not.
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) herself narrates:
“I continued searching for the necklace for a long time until I finally found it. However, a new concern arose—the caravan had moved far ahead of me. The camel drivers must have lifted my howdah and secured it onto the camel, assuming I was inside, whereas I had gone to search for the necklace. Now, there was no one else in the open desert except me.”
She then made a rational decision:
“Instead of running after the caravan, I thought that once they realize I am missing, they will surely return to search for me. So, I wrapped myself in my cloak and lay down to sleep.” By the will of Allah, she fell asleep.
Whenever the army traveled for battle, it had three sections. A group would travel ahead of the main army, known as the vanguard (Muqaddimah al-Jaish), followed by the main caravan, and at the rear, a few individuals were responsible for picking up any items that may have fallen along the way.
Since the army had already left, the one responsible for the rear guard was Hazrat Safwan bin Mu’attal (رضي الله عنه). When he reached the spot, he saw Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) resting. As he had seen her before the command of purdah was revealed, he immediately recognized her and recited:
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
(“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”)
Upon hearing Hazrat Safwan’s (رضي الله عنه) voice, Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) woke up instantly and covered herself with her veil. She narrates:
“By Allah! Safwan did not speak a word to me, nor did I hear anything from him except
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ.”
She further states:
“Safwan brought his camel near me, stepped back, and I mounted it. He then took hold of the camel’s rein and swiftly set off in search of the army.”
She continues:
“We caught up with the army at noon, and those who sought to slander took advantage of the situation, saying whatever they wished. However, I was completely unaware of it.”
Upon reaching Madinah, Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) fell ill and remained unwell for about a month. Meanwhile, the slanderers and those who spread false accusations continued stirring up a storm, but she remained unaware of it. However, what troubled her the most was the noticeable change in the Prophet’s (ﷺ) usual kindness towards her. Unlike in previous illnesses when he would personally comfort her, this time, he would simply visit, ask others about her condition, and leave without speaking directly to her. His changed demeanor added to her distress.
She narrates:
“Such circumstances deeply grieved me, and I asked the Prophet (ﷺ), ‘O Messenger of Allah! If you permit, may I go to my parents so they can take better care of me?’ The Prophet (ﷺ) responded, ‘There is no harm in that.’
Thus, I returned to my mother, completely unaware of these matters, and after nearly a month of illness, I had become extremely weak. We were Arabs, and unlike the non-Arabs, we did not have restrooms in our homes. For answering the call of nature, we used to go to the open spaces of Madinah (i.e., outside the city in the open wilderness). Women would go out at night for their necessities.
One night, I also went out to relieve myself, accompanied by Umm Mistah. As we walked, she tripped over her cloak, stumbled, and fell. Upon falling, she involuntarily uttered: “Mistah is doomed!” (Mistah was her son; his title was Mistah, and his name was ‘Awf).
Hearing this, I said, “By Allah! You have spoken ill by cursing a Badr veteran and an emigrant.” Umm Mistah replied, “O daughter of Abu Bakr! Do you not know what is being said?” I asked, “What is being said?” She then narrated the entire incident to me.
Shocked, I asked, “Has this already happened?” She replied, “Yes, by Allah! This news has spread widely.”
I was so overwhelmed that I returned without relieving myself. By Allah, I cried the entire night, feeling as though my heart would burst from sorrow. Upon hearing this, my illness worsened.
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates: I went to my parents and asked my mother, “O my mother! Do you know what people are saying about me?” My mother replied, “O my daughter! Do not be distressed. It is customary that if a woman is beautiful, virtuous, and held in high regard by her husband, jealous women try to harm her, and people fabricate accusations against her.”
I then asked my mother, “Does my father also know about this?” She replied, “Yes.”
I said, “O my mother! May Allah forgive you! People are talking about this, and you did not even mention it to me?” Saying this, tears welled up in my eyes, and I cried loudly. My father, who was upstairs reciting the Qur’an, heard my cries and came down, asking my mother what had happened. She replied, “She has learned about everything.”
Hearing this, my father also started crying. I began trembling severely, and my mother covered me with all the clothes in the house. The entire night passed with me crying continuously. Not for a single moment did my tears stop until the morning arrived.
Due to extreme grief, the only words my father, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه), could utter were: “By Allah! Even in the era of ignorance, no one had ever spoken such a thing about us! Now that Allah has honored us with Islam, how can such a thing be possible?”
Since the revelation concerning this matter was delayed, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) consulted ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) and Usama bin Zaid (رضي الله عنه). Usama (رضي الله عنه) said, “O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! She is your family; we know nothing but goodness about her.”
Then ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه), observing the Prophet’s (ﷺ) prolonged distress and sorrow, said, “O Messenger of Allah! Allah has not placed any hardship upon you concerning women. (Do not burden yourself with worry).”
Then, the leader of the Aws tribe, Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh (رضي الله عنه), spoke on behalf of his tribe, followed by the leader of the Khazraj tribe, Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah (رضي الله عنه). Due to the natural human differences in temperament, the situation began to feel tense. At that moment, the Prophet (ﷺ) stepped down from the pulpit and ordered both sides to remain silent.
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates: I spent the entire day crying, without a single moment of relief. The night passed the same way. My parents began to fear that I might die from the intensity of grief.
In the morning, my parents sat near me while I continued crying. Just then, an Ansari woman arrived and sat beside me, weeping as well.
Suddenly, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered, greeted us with Salam, and sat near me. Since the spread of this false accusation, he had not sat with me, and a whole month had passed while he awaited divine revelation.
He (ﷺ) sat down and praised and glorified Allah. Then he said:
“O Aisha! I have received such-and-such information about you. If you are innocent, then surely Allah will declare your innocence. But if you have committed any sin, then seek forgiveness from Allah and repent. For indeed, when a servant confesses their sin and turns to Allah, He accepts their repentance.”
Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished speaking, my tears suddenly stopped. Not a single drop remained in my eyes. I then said to my father, “Abu! Respond to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on my behalf.”
He replied, “By Allah! I do not know what to say.”
Then I turned to my mother and said the same. She too replied, “By Allah! I do not know what to say.”
At that moment, I myself responded to the Prophet (ﷺ):
“By Allah! I know that I am innocent, but (due to this false propaganda), it has deeply affected people’s hearts. If I say that I am innocent—and Allah knows I am innocent—you will not believe me. And if I falsely confess to something I never did—when Allah knows I am innocent—you will believe it.
I then cried and said: ‘By Allah! I shall never repent for something they falsely attribute to me. I will only say what the father of Yusuf (Joseph) said:
وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍۢ كَذِبٍۢ ۚ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًۭا ۖ فَصَبْرٌۭ جَمِيلٌۭ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ ١٨
And they came with fake blood on his shirt. He said, “Rather, your inner desires have tempted you to do something. So, patience is best. It is Allah whose help is sought against what you describe.’’ (12:18)
On this occasion, you did not mention the name of Prophet Yaqub (عليه السلام). The reason, as you yourself explained, was that when you tried to recall the name of Prophet Yaqub (عليه السلام), you could not remember it. Therefore, you referred to him as the father of Prophet Yusuf (عليه السلام).”
She (رضي الله عنها) herself states:
“At that moment, my heart had complete certainty that surely Allah (ﷻ) would prove my innocence. However, it never crossed my mind that Allah (ﷻ) would reveal such a revelation about me that would be recited forever. My thought was that Allah (ﷻ) would show a dream to His Messenger (ﷺ) to prove my innocence.”
She (رضي الله عنها) further states:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was still present there when the revelation began to descend upon him. A leather pillow was placed under his blessed head, and a sheet was draped over him.”
Lady Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrates:
“Despite the intense cold, drops of sweat started trickling down the blessed forehead of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). When the revelation began, I was not worried at all because I knew I was innocent, and Allah (ﷻ) would not wrong me. However, my parents were so terrified that I feared they might lose their lives due to the stress.”
“When the divine revelation concluded, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wiped the sweat from his blessed forehead. The signs of happiness appeared on his radiant face. He (ﷺ) turned towards me with a smile and said:
عَائِشَةُ أَمَّا اللهُ فَقَدْ بَرَأَكِ
O ‘Ā’ishah (رضي الله عنها)! Allah has declared your chastity.
Thus, ten blessed verses from Surah An-Nur, from verse 11 to 20, were revealed in favor of Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها).
She (رضي الله عنها) narrates: “My mother said to me, ‘Aisha, get up and express your gratitude to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).’ I replied, ‘By Allah! I will not express gratitude to anyone except Allah, Who has revealed my exoneration.’”
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) completed the recitation of these blessed verses from Surah An-Nur, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه) stood up and kissed the forehead of his beloved daughter.
After that, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) proceeded to Al-Masjid An-Nabawi and recited these verses before the noble companions.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ جَآءُو بِٱلْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌۭ مِّنكُمْ ۚ لَا تَحْسَبُوهُ شَرًّۭا لَّكُم ۖ بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۚ لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِئٍۢ مِّنْهُم مَّا ٱكْتَسَبَ مِنَ ٱلْإِثْمِ ۚ وَٱلَّذِى تَوَلَّىٰ كِبْرَهُۥ مِنْهُمْ لَهُۥ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌۭ ١١
Those who have come up with the false imputation are a gang among you. Do not think it is bad for you; rather, it is good for you. Every one of them is liable for what he earned of the sin. And the one who played the major role in it, for him there is a mighty punishment. (24:11)
