of heinous offenses. Some of them then accuse her of the sexual immorality from which Allah exonerated her and concerning which He revealed (1) the Quran.

Moreover, their ignorance is so extreme that they make the same allegation (2) about other prophets’ wives. They allege (3) that Noah’s wife was a prostitute and that the son whom Noah called out to was not his own, but hers; and they claim that His words:

“Indeed, his conduct was unrighteous.”

[Surah Hūd: 46]

mean that this child was the product of an unrighteous act. Some of them read:

“And Noah called to his son.”

[Surah Hūd: 42]

intending it to mean “her son.” They also cite His words:

“Indeed, he is not of your family.”

[Surah Hūd: 46]

They interpret the words of Allah Most High:

“Allah presents an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and the wife of Lot. They were married to two righteous servants among Our servants, but they betrayed them.”

[Surah al-Tahrīm: 10]

as meaning that Noah’s wife betrayed him in the marital bed (4) and that she was a whore (5).

In this, they resemble the hypocrites and transgressors responsible for the slander, who falsely accused Aisha of sexual immorality and did not repent (6). It was concerning them that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—addressed the people and said:

“O people, who will vindicate me against a man who, I am told, has harmed my family? By Allah, I have known nothing but good of my family. They have also named a man, and by Allah, I have known nothing but good of him.” (7)

It is well known that among the gravest kinds of harm done to a person is to have lies told about his wife by