Abu ʿAbd Allah said: Among the proofs that make this clear is the report related to me by Yusuf ibn Muhammad—Yaḥyā ibn Sulaym narrated to me, from Ibn Khuthaym, from ʿUbayd Allah ibn ʿIyāḍ the reciter—who said:

ʿAbd Allah ibn Shaddād came and entered upon ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) while we were with her. He said: “When the criticisms of ʿAlī reached him and the people deserted him, he ordered a crier to announce that no one should enter upon the Commander of the Faithful except a man who carried (i.e., had memorised) the Qur’an. When the house was packed with the people’s reciters, he brought a great imām mushaf (codex), placed it before him, and began tapping it with his hands, saying, ‘O mushaf, speak to the people!’

The people called out, ‘O Commander of the Faithful, what are you asking of it? It is only ink upon parchment, and we learn from what we read in it. What do you want?’

He replied, ‘It concerns your companions who have been fought. Between me and you is the Book of Allah. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says in His Book about a man and a woman:

“If you fear a breach between the two, then send an arbiter from his family and an arbiter from hers; if they both desire reconciliation, Allah will reconcile them.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:35)

The community of Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—has a still greater right and sanctity than a single man and woman.’

He then carried on with the narration.” ʿĀʾishah said, “He has spoken the truth; they lie about him and add to what he said.”