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3410. 'Aishah said that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to stay with Zainab bint Jahsh and drink honey at her house. Hafṣah and I agreed that if the Prophet ﷺ entered upon either of us, she would say: "I perceive the smell of Maghâfir (a nasty-smelling gum) on you; have you eaten Maghâfir?" He came in to one of them, and she said that to him. He said: "No, rather I drank honey at the house
of Zainab bint Jahsh, but I will never do it again.” Then the following was revealed: ‘O Prophet! Why do you forbid (for yourself) that which Allāh has allowed to you.’[1] ‘If you two turn in repentance to Allāh, (it will be better for you)’[2] about ‘Āishah and Ḥafṣah, ‘And (remember) when the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives’[3] refers to him saying: “No, rather I drank honey.” (Sahīh)
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Commentary
1. ‘Used to stay with Zainab’: After performing the ‘Asr prayer, Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ used to visit all his wives in their apartments for a little while, so that he could know if they had any problem or need, and daily contact with each one could be maintained. Allāh’s Messenger ﷺ stayed with Zainab more than his usual stay to drink some honey she had. This disturbed ‘Āishah and Hafsa.
2. Maghāfir is a glutinous substance, which secretes from the trees like the Urfūt - a tree of a shrub variety. It tastes sweet but its smell is revolting. It lingers in the eater’s mouth and the Prophet ﷺ detested bad smells. Hence, the Prophet ﷺ decided not to drink honey.
3. ‘If you turn in repentance’: To err is human. The wives of the Prophet ﷺ were not infallible. They repented no sooner than they committed the mistake. “He who repents of a sin is like him who has committed no sin.” Repentance obliterates sin. Therefore, no blame could be leveled against them. Their turning in repentance is their superior merit.
4. ‘Disclosed a matter’: The Prophet ﷺ had stated: I will not drink honey at her place, but do not divulge it to anyone. But Hafsa committed the mistake and told ‘Āishah about it.
