Q: Im a new convert to islam alhamdulilah and have been for around 7 months now. Im so happy and everyday I try and read Hadith and Quranic verses to increase my knowledge. Having said that I came across a few Hadith which has started making me a little doubtful so I really would love if you can help eliminate those doubts. I was reading a Hadith on Umar bin-Al khattab who suggested women covering up then aya was revealed after peeping on wives of prophet when they went to relieve themselves at night. When Sauda told the prophet, she was embarassed and thus the Aya regarding modesty and Hijab was revealed. I also read a similar hadith which stated that slave women dont have to wear the Hijab. It was to rather differentiate between Free women and slave women? How can this be if this is a duty on all muslim women?
On another occasion, When Hafsa found prophet in her bed with Maria the copt an aya was revealed regarding making matters that are halal haram.
So my questions are: How is it fair that slaves are treated differently with regards to Hijab wearing (its not compulsory). Why were verses from Allah revealed after Umar bin Al Khattab suggested? How is having intercourse with a slave permissible (i.e Mariya the copt) without marriage? Some critics would argue that this is to allow the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to do what he wants. A similar thing the fact that he had 11 wives when the maximum is 4. I dont not hold those beliefs of course, i believe it is slanderous and blasphemous to our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) but how do I refute such claims.
A: This is how it was brought to us from Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). We do not have the right to ask how can it be like this.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)