so I asked myself, “What am I supposed to say to him?” Then I praised Allah and extolled Him as He deserves and said:

“To proceed: By Allah, if I were to tell you that I had done what is alleged—and Allah bears witness that I am innocent—you would say, ‘She has confessed and brought the guilt upon herself.’ And if I say, ‘I have not done it,’ while Allah knows I am telling the truth, you will still not believe me. This slander has lodged in your hearts and spread among you. I can find no example for my case and yours except the words of the righteous servant, the father of Joseph—though at that moment I did not know his name: ‘So beautiful patience! And Allah is the One whose help is sought against what you describe’ (Q 12:18).”

No sooner had I finished speaking than revelation descended upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. By Allah, I could see the relief on his face before he uttered a word. He wiped the perspiration from his brow and temples and said, “Rejoice, ʿĀʾishah! Allah has revealed your vindication,” and he recited the Qur’an.

I was then angrier than I had ever been. My parents said, “Rise and go to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” I replied, “By Allah, I will not stand up to him, nor will I praise him or you. I will only praise Allah, Who has cleared me. You heard everything, yet you offered no denial, no argument, and no defense.”

When the man about whom rumors had circulated heard of my exoneration, he exclaimed, “Glory be to Allah! By the One in whose hand is my soul, I have never uncovered the private parts of any woman.”

Mistah was an orphan under Abu Bakr’s care, and Abu Bakr used to maintain him. Abu Bakr then swore never again to benefit Mistah in any way. Thereupon Allah revealed: “Let not those among you who possess bounty and plenty swear to withhold support from their relatives…” until His words, “Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?” (Q 24:22). Abu Bakr said, “Indeed, by Allah, my Lord, I do love that You forgive me,” and his eyes overflowed and he wept.

This report has an elevated and good chain of transmission. Al-Bukhārī recorded it in a suspended form, saying: “Abū Usāmah narrated it from Hishām ibn ʿUrwah,” and he mentioned the story.

Al-Layth—this wording is his—and Ibn al-Mubārak transmitted it from Yūnus ibn Yazīd, from Ibn Shihāb, who said: “ʿUrwah, Ibn al-Musayyab, and ʿAlqamah ibn Waqqās informed me…”