6/64. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1626 — Aishah on Appointment Claim
What was narrated concerning the sickness of the Messenger of Allah (SAW)
Hadith About Aishah and the Appointment Claim
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1626
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1626
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَوْنٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنِ الأَسْوَدِ، قَالَ: ذَكَرُوا عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ عَلِيًّا كَانَ وَصِيًّا . فَقَالَتْ: مَتَى أَوْصَى إِلَيْهِ؟ فَلَقَدْ كُنْتُ مُسْنِدَتَهُ إِلَى صَدْرِي - أَوْ إِلَى حِجْرِي فَدَعَا بِطَسْتٍ فَلَقَدِ انْخَنَثَ فِي حِجْرِي فَمَاتَ وَمَا شَعَرْتُ بِهِ. فَمَتَى أَوْصَى ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ؟
Al-Aswad Narrated from:
They said in ‘Aishah’s presence that ‘Ali was appointed (by the Prophet (ﷺ) before he died), and she said: ‘When was he appointed? He (the Prophet (ﷺ)) was resting against my bosom, or in my lap, and he called for a basin, then he became limp in my lap and died, and I did not realize it. So when did he (ﷺ) appoint him?’”
[1] This Hadith is a proof against the Shi'ah claim that 'Ali ؑ was the rightful caliph before Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthmān.Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1626In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 194English translation : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1626
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1626
This Hadith discusses a claim mentioned in ‘Aishah’s presence: that ‘Ali had been appointed by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم before his death. ‘Aishah responded by asking when that appointment happened. She described that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had been resting against her chest or in her lap, called for a basin, then became limp in her lap and died, while she did not even realize it at first. Her question was based on what she personally witnessed in his final moments. The Hadith should be read closely and not stretched beyond its wording. Its main point is her report about the Prophet’s passing and her challenge to a specific claim she heard.
What we learn from this hadith
- Aishah answered a claim by referring to what she personally witnessed.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم passed away while close to Aishah in this report.
- The Hadith warns against speaking with certainty about events without clear evidence.
- The text focuses on the final moment, not a full political discussion.
