18/5. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1479d — Ibn Abbas Asked About the Two Wives
Ila', Keeping away from one's wives and giving them the choice, And the saying of Allah, The Most High: "But if you help one another against him
Hadith About Ibn Abbas Asking Umar for Knowledge
Sahih Muslim : 1479d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1479d
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، سَمِعَ عُبَيْدَ بْنَ حُنَيْنٍ، - وَهُوَ مَوْلَى الْعَبَّاسِ - قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يَقُولُ كُنْتُ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَ، عُمَرَ عَنِ الْمَرْأَتَيْنِ اللَّتَيْنِ تَظَاهَرَتَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَبِثْتُ سَنَةً مَا أَجِدُ لَهُ مَوْضِعًا حَتَّى صَحِبْتُهُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ بِمَرِّ الظَّهْرَانِ ذَهَبَ يَقْضِي حَاجَتَهُ فَقَالَ أَدْرِكْنِي بِإِدَاوَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِهَا فَلَمَّا قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ وَرَجَعَ ذَهَبْتُ أَصُبُّ عَلَيْهِ وَذَكَرْتُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنِ الْمَرْأَتَانِ فَمَا قَضَيْتُ كَلاَمِي حَتَّى قَالَ عَائِشَةُ وَحَفْصَةُ .
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) is reported to have said: I intended to ask Umar about those two ladies who had pressed for (worldly riches) during the lifetime of the Prophet (ﷺ), and I kept waiting for one year, but found no suitable opportunity with him until I happened to accompany him to Mecca. And as he reached Marr al Zahran he went away to answer the call of nature, and he said (to me): Bring me a jug of water, and I took that to him. After having answered the call of nature, as he came back, I began to pour water (over his hands and feet), and I remembered (this event of separation of Allah's Apostle [may peace be upon him] from his wives). So I said to him: Commander of the Faithful, who are the two ladies (who had pressed the Prophet [may peace be upon him] for providing comforts of life) and I had not yet finished my talk when he said: They were 'A'isha and Hafsa.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1479dIn-book reference : Book 18, Hadith 43USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 9, Hadith 3510
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1479d
This hadith about Ibn Abbas asking Umar for knowledge is brief but meaningful. Ibn Abbas, Allah be pleased with them, wanted to ask Umar about the two ladies who had pressed for worldly comfort during the Prophet's lifetime. He waited for a whole year because he did not find a suitable chance. While traveling to Mecca with Umar, he finally asked. Before Ibn Abbas finished his question, Umar answered: they were Aisha and Hafsa. The hadith shows patience in seeking knowledge and respect when asking someone senior. It also names the two wives in the report. The focus is not on adding outside details, but on the careful way Ibn Abbas waited, remembered the matter, and asked directly when the moment came.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn Abbas was eager to learn but waited for a suitable time.
- Umar answered directly when asked about the two ladies.
- The two named in this report are Aisha and Hafsa.
- Good questions can be asked with patience and respect.
