Shia Sources Allege that Ayesha and Hafsa Poisoned the Prophet (s)

-:Objection Five:-Shia Sources Allege that Ayesha and Hafsa Poisoned the Prophet (s)

Ibn al Hashimi states:

There are even Shia scholars who argue that Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) and Hafsa (رضّى الله عنها) attempted to murder the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) himself: “Aisha and Hafsa poisoned the Prophet.” (Jila-ul-Ayoun, Page No. 118) This is voiced by one of the Shia Maraje, namely Mullah Baqir Majlisi: “Aisha and Hafsa tried to martyr Rasulullaah by giving him poison.” (Vol. 2, Hayat-ul-quloob, page #870, Mullah Baqir Majlisi) And again: “…those two female munafiqs (referring to Aisha and Hafsa) agreed to martyr Rasulullah by administering poison to him.” (Hayatul Quloob, page 745, Vol 2, Mullah Baqir Majlisi) Some of the more liberal Shia will deny that Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) poisoned the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم), but they will not deem it blasphemous to argue this point; in fact, we noticed an entire thread about this topic on Shia-Chat, where poster after poster was arguing that Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) had attempted to poison the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم).

Reply – Muhammad Ismail Bukhari has cited the death of the Prophet (s) in a manner that casts aspersions on Ayesha

First and foremost if one picks up Hayat al Qulob the first notable thing is the entire book is a collection of materials Majlisi found, none of which have any chain of narration as such we have no means of analyzing the chain to look at the accuracy of such a narration.

Rather than attack the Shia on this issue it really would have been far better for this Nasabi to look closer to home, and in particular see how his most esteemed Hadith scholar recorded the final events of the life of the Prophet (s).

Sahih Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 471:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

During his sickness, Allah’s Apostle was asking repeatedly, “Where am I today? Where will I be tomorrow?” And I was waiting for the day of my turn (impatiently). Then, when my turn came, Allah took his soul away (in my lap) between my chest and arms and he was buried in my house.

Narrated ‘Aisha:

The Prophet in his ailment in which he died, used to say, “O ‘Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.”

We read in Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 83, Number 25:

Narrated ‘Aisha:

We poured medicine into the mouth of the Prophet during his ailment. He said, “Don’t pour medicine into my mouth.” (We thought he said that) out of the aversion a patient usually has for medicines. When he improved and felt better he said, “There is none of you but will be forced to drink medicine, except Al-’Abbas, for he did not witness your deed.”

In some of the traditions Rasulullah (s) explains that the poison administered by the Jewess at Khaiber had now affected him deeply. In another we are told how he was forced to drink medicine that he resented, despite his protestations those present continued administering it. This act incurs the wrath of the Prophet (s) and he insists that all those present drink what he had been given, save Abbas.

Now our questions are as follows:

• How did the poison administered in Khaibar have its effect on the Prophet (s) 4 years later?
• According to Ayesha up until then the Prophet (s) had never complained of any ill effects, so did he remember the poisoning at Khaibar four years later?
• It took effect after four years, when it effected the liver, which part of the body was it lying dormant in up until then?
• Why is Ayesha the only person that has mentioned the poisoning from Khaibar?
• When the medicine was being administered which individuals were in the room?
• Where were the other wives?
• When the Prophet (s) ordered all those in the room to likewise take the medicine was this order implemented or not?
• If it was not implemented, why not?
• If it was implemented where is the textual evidence?
• Where were the fathers of Ayesha and Hafsa at this traumatic time?

Whilst the Prophet (s) being forced to take medicine appears elsewhere in Bukhari, it is interesting to note where he places it in this instance, in the Book of Diyat (Blood Money) , from the chapter:

باب القصاص بين الرجال والنساء في الجراحات

Dr Muhsin Khan has translated this as “al Qisas (law of equality in punishment) in cases of injury among men and women” .

Could Ibn al Hashimi kindly expand on:

 - What injuries are being inflicted on the Prophet (s) that caused Imam Bukhari to place this event in a chapter citing the punishment for a mixed gender group that harm somebody? 

 - What is the nexus between administering medicine and causing injury to a person? 

 - From whom was Qisas being sought?

• Is Imam Bukhari suggesting that a crime was perpetuated against Rasulullah (s) on his deathbed?
• Why is the issue of punishment being discussed here?
• Was Rasuluillah (s) injured through this administering of medication?

If this type of Hadith were to be found under this sub heading in any Shia book the Nawasib would take to the streets to insist that the Shia be ex-communicated for this belief alone. We would invite our open minded readers to ask whether the same approach should not be adopted here. Is it not shameful that Imam Bukhari has cast aspersions on Ayesha by placing her act of forcing the Prophet (s) to take medicine in a chapter dedicated to the punishment for those that injure another?