Rights of Women - An Example of the Great Regard for Women
Hazrat Anas (ra) bin Malik narrates that he was with the Holy Prophet (sa) when he returned from Usfaan (a place situated between Mecca and Medina). At the time, the Holy Prophet (sa) was riding his camel and had seated Hazrat Safia (ra) bint Huyayy behind him. All of a sudden, the camel stumbled, causing them both to fall. Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) immediately dismounted his camel, saying, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, may I be sacrificed for you!” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, “First enquire about the lady”. Hazrat Talha (ra) drew a cloth over his face as he went towards Hazrat Safia (ra), and then placed that cloth over her (which shows how much regard he had for purdah). Thereafter, he readied the camel for them to mount once again and they all formed a ring around the Holy Prophet (sa). When they reached near the outskirts of Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated:
آئِبُوْنَ تَائِبُوْنَ عَابِدُوْنَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُوْنَ
“We are those who return, who repent before our Lord, who worship Him and praise Him.” The Holy Prophet (sa) continued to recite these words until he entered Medina.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Jihad wa As-Siyar, Bab Ma Yaqulu Idhaa raja’a min al-Ghazwi, Hadith 3085)
In regard to this incident, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:
“On one occasion, the Holy Prophet (sa) was returning from the Battle of Khaybar, and alongside him was his wife, Hazrat Safia (ra), when the camel suddenly stumbled in its path, consequently causing both to fall off. The camel of Hazrat Abu Talha Ansari (ra) was directly behind them, so he, at once, dismounted his camel and said, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! May I be sacrificed for you! Have you sustained any injury?’ When Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) approached close to the Holy Prophet (sa), the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘O Abu Talha! First go to my wife, go see to my wife.’”
The Holy Prophet (sa) said this twice. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) explains, “Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) had infinite love for the Holy Prophet (sa) and when the question ever arose about the life of the Holy Prophet (sa), his attention would be on no other person, yet the Holy Prophet (sa) told him to go and check on his wife first.”
(Uswa-e-Hasanah, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 17, p. 126-127)
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) presented this account whilst discussing the rights of women.