📝 Footnotes
515) This slander concerned 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Mother of the Believers, following the expedition against the Bani Mustaliq in Shaban 5 AH. The hypocrites participated in that expedition, and 'Aishah accompanied the Prophet (peace be upon him) based on a draw cast among his wives. On the return journey, the caravan made a stop at a certain location. 'Aishah left her litter for a personal need and subsequently returned. Suddenly, she realized her necklace was missing, so she went back to search for it. Meanwhile, the caravan set off, assuming that 'Aishah was still inside her litter. Upon discovering that the caravan had departed, she sat down at her spot, hoping they would return to collect her. By chance, Safwan bin Mu'attal, a companion of the Prophet, passed by that area and found someone sleeping alone. Safwan was startled and exclaimed, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un, the wife of the Messenger!" 'Aishah woke up. Safwan then offered his camel for 'Aishah to ride. He walked ahead, leading the camel until they reached Madinah. People who saw them began to talk based on their own assumptions, and rumors started to spread. The hypocrites then magnified the issue, causing the slander against 'Aishah to spread further and creating a great turmoil among the Muslims.