By It’s very rare to find an everlasting love so sweet and beautiful in the culture and space we live in. Many of us wish for a romance that will keep us breathless and content for the rest of our lives. And by the mercy and grace of Allah (SWT,) we will have that one day. But there will always be a special sparkle to the love shared between our noble prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his wife Aisha (RA.)
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the best of human kind. He was a gentle, kind, and loving man and everyone who spent any time with him can testify for his behavior on his behalf. In a time when women were treated as nothing but lowly creatures, when baby girls were buried alive and when daughters were nothing more than a burden, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) changed that with Islam and his actions towards his own wives, daughters, and women around him.
Aisha (RA) was the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA,) the Prophet’s (PBUH) best friend, confidant, and the first khalifah. She was very young when she was betrothed and then married to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – and he in turn was very gentle with her. His kindness towards women was something well-known throughout all the sahabahs and he made sure to let his companions know this, even during his final sermon.
Aisha (RA) stated that the Prophet (PBUH) would purposely sip water from the same cup and the same place her lips had touched.
There are several accounts where Aisha (RA) has shared how loving and caring the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was with her. In one hadith, Aisha (RA) stated that the Prophet (PBUH) would purposely sip water from the same cup and the same place her lips had touched. She would always blush when he did so. He would do the same with her food as well!
They would sit together and play together too. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH,) Aisha (RA) would recall fond memories of her racing and engaging in light competitions with the Prophet (PBUH.) According to Abu Daud, the first time they raced, Aisha (RA) won. After they raced a second time, and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) won, he exclaimed in a playful way: “Aisha! Now the score is settled!” Their romance, affection and love spanned over almost every aspect of their lives.
In another hadith by Bukhari, Aisha (RA) narrates a story of how she lost her precious necklace while she was on a journey with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) immediately told all his companions to stop the journey and look for the necklace. The necklace was eventually found the next day after the revelation of an ayah regarding Tayammum. That was the kind of love and care the Prophet (PBUH) had for Aisha (RA.)
He would even lay his head in her lap when he wanted to rest.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a man who was always helping Aisha (RA) around the house. She would in turn prepare his favorite meals and dress up for him. He would even lay his head in her lap when he wanted to rest, even when she was menstruating. Subhan Allah. There is a long hadith by Aisha (RA) that narrates an absolutely sweet interaction between the two:
“One day, the Prophet (PBUH) was mending his shoe and I was working on the spinning wheel. As I looked up I saw that the forehead of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was glistening with sweat and I saw a light gleaming in his forehead, which continued to grow and spread. It was a sight to behold! I was watching with fascination. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) looked up and asked: ‘‘Aisha (RA,) why are you looking so astonished?’ I said: ‘O, Prophet of Allah (SWT!) I saw that your forehead is glistening with sweat and there is a light shinning in it. I was totally spellbound. I swear in the name of Allah (SWT) the Almighty that if the poet Abu Kabeer Hazli was able to see you, he would have realized that you are the true portrayal of his verses’, and I read the following verses:
‘He is free from any maligning residue of birth or growth. When you look at the creases of his illumined brow you find his face brighter in luminous splendour than the pure sparkle of lightning itself.’
As soon as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) heard this, he immediately kissed her forehead and said: “Your delight could not have been as much as the delight you have given me!’” (Madarij-ul-Salikeen, Imam Ibn Qayyim p.177, Mutahher ‘Aeli Zindagi p.38)
Allah (SWT) has told us very clearly in the Quran how a man should treat his wife.
“And of His signs is that he created for you, of yourselves, spouses, that you might repose in them, and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely in that are signs for people who consider.” (Surah Ar-Rum, ayah 21)
And the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) embodied that ayah completely. Amar bin Aas (RA) narrated that he once asked the Prophet (PBUH) who he loved the most amongst his people. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instantly replied that it was his wife, Aisha (RA.) The love he shared with Aisha (RA) is heart-warming and we can only pray that Allah (SWT) grants each of us a beautiful love with our own spouse as well.
Want to learn more about the love between the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Aisha (RA?) Click here to watch a lecture by Ustadh Wajih Tarin.