Tirmidhi

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) married Maymunah (radi Allahu anha) during the ‘Umrat al-Qada in the 7th year Hijri. It is evident that during this ‘umrah, neither Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) nor Yazid bin al-Asamm was present with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, both of them heard this from someone else. Yazid bin al-Asamm directly narrates this matter from Maymunah (radi Allahu anha), that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) married her while he was in a state of being lawful (i.e., not in ihram).

And although Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) is much higher than Yazid in terms of knowledge, virtue, and status, this is not a matter of thought, opinion, or deduction in which knowledge could be a reason for preference. This is simply a matter of remembering an incident, which sometimes even an ignorant person remembers better.

Furthermore, Abu Rafi‘, who was the messenger on behalf of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), also supports Yazid bin al-Asamm’s narration. And if ‘Amr bin Dinar made a sarcastic remark about Yazid bin al-Asamm (that he was a Bedouin who urinated on his heels), this is irrelevant, because as we have explained, in remembering incidents, a Bedouin can surpass a scholar.

Moreover, Sa‘id bin al-Musayyib, the leader of the Tabi‘in, said in this regard that when Maymunah herself, who is the person involved in the incident, states that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) married her while he was in a state of being lawful, then the statement of Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) will be considered a mistake.

(Sabil al-Salam, vol. 3, p. 170. Jam‘iyyah Ihya’ al-Turath al-Islami)

Furthermore, even if, hypothetically, the statement of Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) is given preference, it would be in opposition to the hadith of ‘Uthman (radi Allahu anhu), which is a verbal statement, and the principle of the Hanafis is that when there is a contradiction between a statement and an action, the statement is given preference. According to Shah Waliullah, the action would be specific to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) or the action would be abrogated by the statement.

(Hujjat Allah al-Balighah, vol. 1, p. 128)

1843. Commentary: The marriage of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with Maymunah (radi Allahu anha) bint al-Harith al-Hilaliyyah took place in the seventh year of Hijrah on the occasion of ‘Umrat al-Qada. Her first husband’s name was Abu Rahm ibn ‘Abd al-‘Uzza. Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib (radi Allahu anhu) sent the proposal for this marriage. When she expressed her consent to ‘Abbas (radi Allahu anhu), he performed the marriage. (al-Isabah)