and the second is ambiguity about the actual circumstance. Thus, the truly scrupulous person is the one who, when a matter is unclear to him, leaves it alone if the doubt relates to its being forbidden, and carries it out if the doubt relates to its being obligatory, lest he incur sin by neglecting a required act.

Next, the author—may Allah have mercy on him—cited two verses in this chapter. He said, may Allah have mercy on him: “You imagined it to be insignificant, yet in the sight of Allah it is tremendous” (Q 24:15).

The pronoun in “You imagined it” refers to the rumor the people accepted—the wicked slander (ifk) directed against the Mother of the Believers ʿĀʾishah, may Allah be pleased with her. ʿĀʾishah, the Mother of the Believers, was the wife of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the hypocrites were lying in wait, eager for any chance to damage his good name and sully his honor.

During one of the campaigns, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was returning, he halted partway along the route to rest. The Prophet’s wives each had men who helped them mount and dismount.

Toward the end of the night ʿĀʾishah, may Allah be pleased with her, went off to relieve herself. The men who carried her litter—inside which she rode—came, lifted it onto the camel, and strapped it in place, assuming she was already inside; at that time she was young and light in weight.

The caravan set out. When ʿĀʾishah returned to the spot, she found the people had gone. Displaying remarkable intelligence, composure, and tranquility, she remained where she was; she did not wander right or left, for had she done so she might have become lost and caused them further difficulty. Instead, she stayed put.

A distinguished Companion named Ṣafwān ibn al-Muʿaṭṭal had been sleeping nearby. He belonged to a people who, once asleep, would not awaken until they had taken their full rest.