Aisha’s Derivation of Islamic Rulings

of life was perhaps expressed with such clarity only through Aisha al-Siddiqah. 5. Abu Salamah, a Tabi‘i, says that there was a dispute between him and some people over a piece of land. He mentioned the matter to Aisha al-Siddiqah. She said: “O Abu Salamah, keep away from land disputes, for the Prophet said: ‘Whoever wrongfully takes even a handspan of land will have it placed around his neck from the seven layers of the earth.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2453) This narration points to an important social principle. It means that when a material dispute arises between two individuals or two groups, and the matter cannot be resolved through mutual settlement, the better party is the one who, entrusting the matter to God, ends the dispute unilaterally. This is undoubtedly one of the most important principles for establishing social peace. 6. Ibn Abi al-Sa’ib, a Tabi‘i, was a preacher in Madinah. He used to compose and recite prayers in rhymed prose and was always ready to deliver sermons. Aisha al-Siddiqah said to him, “Promise me three things; otherwise, I will take you to task.” He asked, “O Mother of the Believers, what are they?” Aisha al-Siddiqah replied: “Do not compose your prayers in rhymed prose, because the Prophet’s