|top| - Sahih Bukhari 5255

The woman’s response was striking. She retorted, "Wa hal taqhibu al-malikatu nafsaha lil-suqati?" —"Can a princess give herself to an ordinary man?" Her words reflected either aristocratic pride (viewing herself as a noblewoman and the Prophet as a mere merchant) or, as many scholars concluded, symptoms of mental instability that rendered her unable to comprehend the situation properly.

The Arabic word Ighlaq literally means "to close" or "to lock." In a legal context, it refers to a state where a person's intellect, reasoning, or free will is locked or shut down. Scholars divide Ighlaq into two primary categories:

) suggest she may have been misguided or confused about the suitor's identity. Reference Codes: Sunnah.com: Sahih al-Bukhari 5255 Traditional: Volume 7, Book 63, Number 182. SeekersGuidance You can view the full Arabic and English text on Sunnah.com

The Prophet (ﷺ) proposed a marriage based on hibah (gifting oneself), a privilege allowed to him, to a lady from Banu Jaun. The lady, likely due to youth or unfamiliarity, responded with a perceived haughty comment, asking if a princess should marry an "ordinary man." 2. The Reaction and "Refuge" sahih bukhari 5255

In the 21st century, this hadith is a cornerstone for:

, the Prophet approached al-Jauniyya to formalise their marriage and asked her to "gift" herself to him. She responded by questioning if a "princess" could give herself to an "ordinary man" (or subject). When the Prophet reached out to comfort her, she said, "I seek refuge with Allah from you". Sunnah.com

Hadith 5255 serves as a foundational text for Islamic legal maxims regarding accountability. Islamic law divides human accountability into distinct stages of intent: Khawatir (fleeting thoughts), Hadith an-Nafs (inner dialogue), Hammam (inclination), and Azm (determination). The woman’s response was striking

The woman’s words, if uttered by a sane person, would have been deeply disrespectful. Yet the Prophet did not retaliate, did not scold, did not punish. He simply recited a quiet supplication and withdrew. For anyone facing verbal abuse or disrespect in their marriage or daily interactions, this hadith provides a luminous example of responding to harm with mercy.

The Prophet’s request—“Give yourself to me as a gift”—refers to a unique ruling that applied only to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Qur’an 33:50 states: "And a believing woman if she gives herself to the Prophet (and) if the Prophet wishes to marry her; (this is) only for you, excluding the (other) believers." This exclusive privilege did not extend to his followers, for whom a dower ( mahr ) remains a mandatory component of any valid marriage contract.

Sahih Bukhari 5255 underscores the Prophet’s (ﷺ) commitment to respectful relationships and ethical behavior, highlighting that forced unions are contrary to his teachings. Scholars divide Ighlaq into two primary categories: )

The incident involves a woman from the Banu Jaun tribe, who, upon meeting the Prophet (ﷺ), expressed reluctance, questioning if a "princess" could marry an "ordinary man". When she stated, "I seek refuge with Allah from you," the Prophet (ﷺ) immediately honored her request, directing that she be safely returned to her family. 2. Key Themes and Lessons Respect for Consent:

All figures in this chain are well-known, reliable narrators whose integrity and precision have been affirmed by hadith scholars across generations. Abu Usayd (may Allah be pleased with him), the Companion who narrated the event directly, was present during the incident and transmitted it faithfully. Imam Bukhari’s placement of this hadith in his Sahih —the most rigorously authenticated collection in Sunni Islam—confirms its soundness beyond reasonable doubt.

The Prophet (ﷺ) honored a request for refuge, prioritizing divine protection over personal feelings.