Aisha’s Derivation of Islamic Rulings

God; and whenever he came to a verse containing warning, he would seek God’s protection. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 24609) This narration reveals the spirit of religion in two matters: how the Quran should be recited, and what the true form of voluntary prayer is. The Messenger of God generally performed both these acts in his room. Therefore, the wider world could learn these important details only through his wife. Aisha al-Siddiqah fulfilled this role for the Muslim community. This narration shows that what is primarily required in the recitation of the Quran is reflection, not merely what is commonly called completing the Quran. 8. When a new covering is placed on the Kaaba and the old covering is removed, the question arises as to what should be done with the old covering. In earlier times, out of reverence and respect, the old covering would be buried in the ground. Shaybah ibn Uthman, who was the keeper of the key of the Kaaba at that time, told Aisha al-Siddiqah: “We gather the entire covering, dig a deep well, and bury it there, so that people do not wear it while in a state of impurity.” Aisha al-Siddiqah said to Shaybah: “This is not right. You are doing wrong. Once the covering has been removed from the Kaaba, it becomes ordinary cloth. If a person in a state of major ritual impurity or a