Q: What is the view of Your Eminence regarding what is found in media (satellite TV canals and internet) that is explicit insult and disgrace towards the wives of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.W.A) using offensive language against her and charging her with things that throw her chastity and honor as a wife of the Nobel Prophet Muhammad (S.W.A) into question? It goes without saying that these behaviors have created great troubles within the Islamic Ummah and put the Muslims, especially the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (a.), in a state of stress.
A: It is haram to disgrace the figures of our Sunni brothers, let alone charging the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his household) with things that throw her chastity into question, rather, it is impossible for the wives of the prophets, especially those of the Master of the prophets, the great Messenger of Allah (S.W.A).
The Supreme Leader of Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khamenei, who is equally respected by Sunnis as a distinguished scholar and authority of Jafri School of Fiqh, declared in a religious edict (fatwa): “Insulting the symbols of the Sunni brothers, including the Prophet Muhammad’s wife [Ayesha] is forbidden.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s fatwa was issued after Kuwaiti Shia cleric Yasser Al-Habib insulted Aisha, a wife of Prophet Muhammad (S). The Kuwaiti cabinet voted this week to revoke his citizenship.
Ayatollah Khamenei recently said that the Western powers are trying to widen differences between Sunnis and Shias in order to divert attention from the crisis in Palestine.
The Fatwa came only a few weeks after one ‘Sheikh’ Yasser al-Habib, a self-styled champion of Shia cause, in a Ramadan related function in London spew venom against Ummul Momineen Hazrat Ayesha R.A., her father, the most trusted friend and companion of the Prophet and first Caliph of Islam Hazrat Abu- Bakr Siddiq and the second Caliph Hazrat Umar R.A. Al-Habib is a former Military Officer of Kuwait and presently living as self-exiled political refugee in U.K.
The leader of Iran was also reported saying that, ‘the enemies of Islam want to create discord among Muslims. So, unity is the most important need of the Islamic world in the 21st century.
It has always been painful for the believers if someone insults Hazrat Ayesha R.A. and ignores that Allah has warned against hurting the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him). Allah titled them the “Mother of the Believers” in the Qur’a-n. His wives were considered so precious that Allah instructed the believers to talk to them from behind a screen and He also forbade anyone from marrying them after the Prophet’s death.
When you ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. It is not for you to cause injury to the Messenger of Allah, or ever marry his wives after him. To do that would be something dreadful in the sight of Allah.” (Qur’a-n, 33:53)
When the hypocrites of Madina spread rumours insulting Hazrat Ayesha R.A., Allah revealed 20 verses (Surah An-Nur) in her defence. Such is her honour. The Prophet had acknowledged her attributes and that she was therefore most beloved to him among his all wives (Bukhari and Muslim). The Prophet sought permission from his other wives to spend his last days in the house of Ayesha R.A., and when he breathed his last, his head was in her lap.
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