5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

By Allah, I knew that I was innocent and that Allah would also declare my innocence. However, by Allah, I could not have imagined that revelation would be sent down concerning me, which would be recited forever. I was not worthy that Allah should speak about my calamity in a recital. I was only wishing that the Messenger of Allah  would see a dream in which Allah Almighty would declare me innocent. But, by Allah, the Messenger of Allah  did not depart the sitting, nor did anyone leave the house, except that he was overcome by a state which he often became overcome with whilst receiving a revelation. Allah was revealing to His Prophet. As for me, then as I saw him receiving the revelation, by Allah I did not become afraid or worried, for I knew that I was innocent, and Make it easy to rectify a fault that Allah would not wrong me. As for my parents, then I swear by the One Who has the soul of ‘A’ishah in His Hands, as the Messenger of Allah  recovered, I thought that their souls would depart at any time in the fear that Allah confirms what the people had been saying. However, when the Prophet  recovered, he laughed and began to wipe the sweat of his face. The first thing he said was,‘Glad tidings, O ‘A’ishah! Allah has declared your innocence!’ I said, ‘al-Hamdulillah!’ Allah had revealed, ‘Lo! They who spread the slander are a gang among you. Deem it not a bad thing for you; nay, it is good for you. Unto every man of them (will be paid) that which he hath earned of the sin; and as for him among them who had the greater share therein, his will be an awful doom. Why did not the believers, men and women, when ye heard it, think good of their own folk, and say: It is a manifest untruth? Why did they not produce four witnesses? Since they produce not witnesses, they verily are liars in the sight of Allah.’ Allah further threatened them saying, ‘Lo! Those who love that slander should be spread concerning those who believe, theirs will be a painful punishment in the world and the Hereafter. Allah knoweth. Ye know not.’” The Messenger of Allah  went out to the people and addressed them reciting what Allah had revealed unto him from the Qur’an concerning this affair. He then punished those guilty of slander. Make it easy to rectify a fault Hence, it is imperative that you deal with the one at fault as if he is a patient in need of treatment, not that you should exaggerate in condemning him and being harsh with him. This is because the wrongdoer might reach a stage where he begins to think that you are actually happy with his wrongdoing. A caring doctor is someone who cares for the patients’ health more than they care for it themselves. The Prophet  said, “The example of me and you is like that of a man who kindled a fire. Grasshoppers and butterflies start falling into the fire and the man continues protecting them against it. I am holding you back from falling into the fire and you are slipping out of my hands.” An opinion… Sometimes, our method of rectifying an error happens to be a greater error than the error itself. Make it easy to rectify a fault (35) The other opinion Just as people differ in nature and physique, they also differ in their views, persuasions and dealings. If you ever feel that someone has erred, then advise him and try to rectify his fault, but if he does not listen, do not then write him off as one of your enemies. Deal with situations optimistically, in accordance with your own ability. If you were to attempt to rectify a fault in one of your friends, and he rejected your advice, do not turn friendship into enmity. Continue to be kind to him, in the hope that at least his fault would not increase. It is said, “Have mercy! For some forms of evil are more bearable than others.” If you deal with people cheerfully, you would not become angry over every small or great fault of theirs and live happily forever. ‘A’ishah – may Allah be pleased with her – said, “The Messenger of Allah  never sought revenge for himself. He never hit anyone with his hand, neither a woman nor a servant, unless while fighting in the cause of Allah. He was never harmed in regards to his person that he ever sought revenge from the one who harmed him, unless if one of God’s sanctities were violated, in which case, Allah would avenge him.” (Muslim) Therefore, no doubt the Prophet  would become angry, but his anger would be for Allah. He would not become angry for his own sake.