❖ The Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari
This narration is recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī as follows:
"Narrated Anas (RA): The Prophet ﷺ used to visit all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Nikāḥ, Chapter 4, Ḥadīth: 5068)
❖ Clarification of Misconceptions
Some people interpret the word "يطوف" in the Hadith to mean conjugal relations. However, in the Arabic language, "يطوف" simply means to visit or to make rounds. This is clarified by other Hadiths.
❖ Visiting the Wives After ʿAṣr
Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (RA) narrates:
"Whenever the Prophet ﷺ finished the ʿAṣr prayer, he would go around to visit his wives."
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ṭalāq, Ḥadīth: 3679)
❖ Clarification by ʿĀ’ishah (RA)
Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah (RA) explains that:
"The Prophet ﷺ used to go to all his wives, showing no preference in this matter. He would visit each wife, but would only have conjugal relations with the wife whose turn it was."
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Ḥadīth: 2135)
❖ The Prophet’s ﷺ Wisdom and Consideration for His Wives
The Prophet’s ﷺ practice of visiting all of his wives served the purpose of emotional care, attention, and fulfilling their needs. Had he not done this, each wife would have had to wait nine days for his visit. This reflects his deep wisdom and perfect justice.
❖ Objection: Preoccupation with the Ummah
Some argue that the Prophet ﷺ had no time for such visits due to his responsibilities toward the Ummah. This is a false assumption. Even non-Muslim authors have acknowledged the Prophet’s ﷺ wisdom and balanced life.
Paul Brunton, a Western author, writes:
"I could not but respect the wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) for so deftly teaching his followers to mingle the life of religious devotion with the life of the busy world."
(A Search in the Secret Egypt, Paul Brunton, p. 134)
❖ Clarification of Another Hadith
In another narration by Anas (RA), it is mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ would have conjugal relations with all his wives in one night.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
However, this narration is expressed in a general tone, while ʿĀ’ishah’s (RA) clarification provides detail:
Only the wife whose designated day it was would share conjugal relations.
❖ In such matters, the explanation of the Prophet’s wives holds greater authority than an assumed understanding by another narrator.
❖ Conclusion
The Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ visits to his noble wives were driven by love, justice, and wisdom. His intention was to ensure emotional well-being and fairness among them.
Presenting these Hadiths out of context or misinterpreting their meanings is a grave injustice to the honorable character and the balanced, prophetic conduct of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
