Question
Regarding the following Hadith, why did Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) sell her slave to the worst of Arabs?
‘Amrah (rahimahallah) has narrated that: Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) once made a slave girl of hers a Mudabbar [i.e. a slave that is set free after death]. Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) then fell ill. Her nephews inquired from an Indian or Sudanese doctor [about her condition], and he said: “You are most certainly [describing or] informing me about a bewitched woman; her slave girl has bewitched her!”
‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) was then informed [about what transpired, called her slave girl] and said [i.e. asked]: “Have you bewitched [i.e. performed black magic against] me?”
She replied: “yes.”
‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) then asked: “and why [did you do so]?! You will never be successful, ever!”
Thereafter, she [i.e. ‘Aaishah – radiyallahu ‘anha] said [to her relatives]: “Sell her to the worst of Arabs in conduct [i.e. sell her to those that treat their slaves in the worst of manners].
Answer
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in his book Adabul Mufrad.
(Al-Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 162; Also see: Musnad Ahmad, vol. 6 pg. 40, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 4 pg. 220, An-Nihayah, letters: زط ا, and Talkhisul Habir, Hadith: 2347)
Since Sayyidah ‘Aaishah’s (radiyallahu ‘anha) slave girl dealt with her in the worst of manners [i.e. by attempting to murder her], Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) decided to punish her by selling her over to someone that would, in turn, treat her in the worst of manners.
(Hashiyatus Sindhi, vol. 5 pg. 458)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar