A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihád'/Appendix B/13

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A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihád'
by Moulavi Gerágh Ali

Appendix B/13

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183736A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihád' — Appendix B/13Moulavi Gerágh Ali

[Sidenote: The story of Haphsa and Maria a spurious one.]

13. (5) Lastly, I have to notice the infamous calumny against Mohammad concocted up by his enemies, that Haphsa surprized the Prophet in her own private room with Maria. "She reproached her lord bitterly, and threatened to make the occurrence known to all his wives. Afraid of the exposure and anxious to appease his offended wife, he begged of her to keep the matter quiet, and promised to forego the society of Maria altogether." But he afterwards released himself from it by a special revelation—(Sura LXVI, 1). Sir W. Muir remarks:—

"As in the case of Zeinab, Mahomet produced a message from Heaven, which disallowed his promise of separation from Mary...."

The passage in the Koran relating to the affair is as follows:—

"O Prophet! Why hast thou forbidden thyself that which God hath made lawful unto thee,^[1] out of desire to please thy wives; for God is forgiving and merciful?"^[2]

Footnotes edit

↑ "Meaning the company of his female slave."
↑ Muir's Life of Mahomet, Vol. IV, pp. 161 and 162. Taking concubine-slaves was an established and recognized institution of the Arab society, until Mohammad abolished it. Practically the custom has prevailed up to the present time. No blame attached to such alliances in the social system of the Arabs. "The Caliphs of the House of Abbas were all of them the children of concubines except as—Saffah, Al-Mahdi, and Al-Amin" (History of Caliphs. By Sayúte. Translated by Major Jarret, page 20, Calcutta, 1880). If the story regarding Mohammad be true, there was no fear of exposure or offending the wives.

[1] "Meaning the company of his female slave."

[2] Muir's Life of Mahomet, Vol. IV, pp. 161 and 162. Taking concubine-slaves was an established and recognized institution of the Arab society, until Mohammad abolished it. Practically the custom has prevailed up to the present time. No blame attached to such alliances in the social system of the Arabs. "The Caliphs of the House of Abbas were all of them the children of concubines except as—Saffah, Al-Mahdi, and Al-Amin" (History of Caliphs. By Sayúte. Translated by Major Jarret, page 20, Calcutta, 1880). If the story regarding Mohammad be true, there was no fear of exposure or offending the wives.

[1]

[2]