Why Did Aisha Give Her Flower to Safwan Ibn Al-Muattal?

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

This subject remains one of the most troubling issues within the Muslim community. When the “Mother of the Believers,” Aisha, engages in an act that raises shame and countless unanswered questions, one must ask: Did Aisha truly love Muhammad? Or had she already been accustomed to questionable conduct from the beginning? Personally, many concerning questions arise in my mind—questions that demand careful investigation. Did Aisha grow tired of Muhammad and decide to give her “flower” to Safwan Ibn Al-Muattal? And why did she refuse to bear Muhammad a child? These are legitimate queries.

Ibn Hisham, citing Ibn Ishaq, narrates that Aisha was caught committing ZINAA (sexual intercourse) with Safwan Ibn Al-Muattal, one of Muhammad’s companions—what is widely known as the Safwan Incident. This occurred in Madinah, and the news spread throughout the entire city, forcing the Prophet of Allah to return Aisha to her parents’ home in humiliation.

Ali, who was both Muhammad's cousin and the husband of his daughter Fatimah, advised Muhammad to divorce Aisha to hide the great embarrassment caused by being caught in an act of adultery.

The Muslims of Madinah, led by Abdullah bin Ubayy, publicly declared that Lady Aisha (RA) had committed adultery with Safwan. When Muhammad heard this, he gathered his companions and consulted them on what should be done. Some advised him to divorce her. The Prophet then visited Aisha and told her:
“If you are innocent, Allah will forgive you; but if not, seek forgiveness from your Lord.”

Aisha cried uncontrollably and asked her parents for forgiveness for the immorality she had committed with Safwan, but her parents remained speechless.

References

1. Ibn Sa’ad, Al-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, vol. 8 (Arabic)

2. Ibn Hisham, Al-Sira Al-Nabawiyya (Arabic)

3. Dr. Sami Alrabaa, Karen in Saudi Arabia

4. Sahih al-Bukhari, Chapter of Washing, narrated by Anas (Arabic)

5. Al-Lulu’ wal-Marjan fima Ittafaqa Alayhi Al-Shaikhan, Hadith No. 168, 173 (Arabic)

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Did Aisha Love Muhammad?

Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr. Her mother was Umm Ruman according to Al-Tabari, vol. 9, p.129. She was married to Muhammad at the age of six (6) and moved into his house for consummation at the age of nine (9)—a complete child marriage. (Bukhari vol. 7, book 62, hadith 88; Muslim vol. 2, book 8, hadith 3309–3311).

It is possible that Aisha’s alleged involvement with Safwan was influenced by the fact that she never truly consented to marrying Muhammad, but merely obeyed her parents’ wishes. This raises deeper psychological and moral questions surrounding her marriage and her personal agency.

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Aisha’s Questionable Character

Aisha narrated:

“The Prophet used to screen me with his garment while I watched the Ethiopians playing in the courtyard of the mosque. (I continued watching) until I was satisfied.”

This describes a nine-year-old child, not yet at puberty, watching grown men performing entertainment. One can observe how a young girl might have become exposed to or accustomed to inappropriate environments that could shape her future conduct. (Bukhari vol. 7, book 62, chapter 115, hadith 163).

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Critical Questions

1. Can a nine-year-old girl feel entertained by watching Ethiopian men performing in a mosque courtyard?

2. Did Aisha already possess tendencies toward immoral behavior, perhaps even a form of early promiscuity, that made her attracted to other men besides Muhammad?

3. Why did Aisha “give her flower” to Safwan Ibn Al-Muattal?
   What emotional, psychological, or marital factors pushed her into this scandalous situation?

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