Mukhtasar Muslim

‘Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) says that eleven women sat together and all of them made a pact and promise that they would not conceal anything about their husbands. The first woman said: My husband is like the meat of a lean camel placed on the top of a difficult-to-climb mountain. There is no clear path to reach it so that someone may climb, nor is the meat fat so that it may be brought down. The second woman said: I cannot spread news about my husband; I fear that if I describe him, I will not be able to fully express it, for he has many apparent and hidden faults. (And some have interpreted this to mean: I fear that if I describe him, I will have to leave him, i.e., he will get angry and divorce me, and I will have to leave him.) The third woman said: My husband is tall and foolish; if I mention his faults, he will divorce me, and if I remain silent, I will remain suspended (i.e., I will neither enjoy the pleasures of marriage nor be completely deprived). The fourth said: My husband is like the night of Tihamah (Hijaz and Mecca)—neither hot nor cold (i.e., he is moderate in temperament), there is neither fear nor sorrow (this is praise, meaning his character is excellent and he is not annoyed by my company). The fifth woman said: When my husband comes home, he is like a cheetah (i.e., he lies down and sleeps and does not bother anyone), and when he goes out, he is like a lion. And whatever wealth and goods he leaves at home, he does not inquire about them. The sixth woman said: If my husband eats, he finishes everything, and if he drinks, he leaves nothing even at the bottom, and when he lies down, he wraps himself up, and he does not put his hand on me to recognize my pain or sorrow (this is also satire, meaning he is like an ox, good for nothing except eating and drinking, and does not care about his wife). The seventh woman said: My husband is impotent or wicked, extremely foolish, does not know how to speak, and has all the faults of the world in him. He is so cruel that he may break your head or your hand, or twist both your head and hand. The eighth woman said: My husband, in fragrance, is like zarnab (a fragrant grass), and to the touch, soft like a rabbit (this is praise, meaning both his outward and inward qualities are good). The ninth woman said: My husband is one with a high palace, long sandals (i.e., tall), and much ash (i.e., he is generous). His kitchen is always warm, so there is a lot of ash; his house is a place where people gather for consultation (like a camp, etc.) (i.e., he is a leader and a man of opinion). The tenth woman said: My husband’s name is Malik. And what a fine Malik he is! Malik is even better than my praise. He has many camel enclosures and few pastures (i.e., many camels are slaughtered for hospitality at his place, so they go out to graze less). When the camels hear the sound of music, they are sure they will be slaughtered (it was customary to play music at feasts, so hearing the music, the camels would be sure of being slaughtered). The eleventh woman said: My husband’s name is Abu Zar’—so wow, how excellent is Abu Zar’! He adorned both my ears with jewelry and filled both my arms with fat (i.e., he made me plump and made me very happy), so my soul was at great ease. He found me among sheep and goat herders living at the edge of a mountain, and he made me the owner of horses, camels, fields, and heaps of grain (i.e., I was very lowly and needy, and he made me honorable and wealthy). When I speak, he does not rebuke me. When I sleep, I sleep till late (i.e., I do not have to do any work), and when I drink, I am satisfied. And Abu Zar’s mother—so how excellent is Abu Zar’s mother! She has large bundles and a spacious house. Abu Zar’s son—so how excellent is Abu Zar’s son! His sleeping place is like the sheath of a sword (i.e., he has a delicate body), and the hand of a (goat) halwan satisfies him (i.e., he eats little). Abu Zar’s daughter—so how excellent is Abu Zar’s daughter! Obedient to her parents and fills out her clothes (i.e., she is plump), and is the envy of her co-wife (i.e., she is beloved to her husband, so her co-wife is jealous of her). And Abu Zar’s slave-girl—so how excellent is Abu Zar’s slave-girl! She does not reveal our secrets, does not take away our food, and does not leave our house dirty with trash. Abu Zar’ went out while milk was being churned in the waterskins. He met a woman who had two sons with her, like two cheetahs, playing with two pomegranates in her lap. So Abu Zar’ divorced me and married that woman. Then I married after him a noble man, who is a fine horseman and spear-bearer. He gave me many livestock and paired every animal for me, and he said to me: O Umm Zar’! Eat yourself and feed your people as well. But if I gather all that my second husband gave me, it would not equal even the smallest vessel of Abu Zar’ (i.e., the favor of the second husband is far less than that of the first). Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: I am to you as Abu Zar’ was to Umm Zar’, (but I have neither divorced you nor will I do so).