The Narration
Anas ibn Mālik ؓ (d. 93 AH/712 CE) narrated:
أَنَّ جَارًا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَارِسِيًّا كَانَ طَيِّبَ الْمَرَقِ، فَصَنَعَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ، ثُمَّ جَاءَ يَدْعُوهُ، فَقَالَ: “وَهَذِهِ؟” لِعَائِشَةَ، فَقَالَ: لَا. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : “لَا”. فَعَادَ يَدْعُوهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : “وَهَذِهِ؟” قَالَ: لَا. قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : “لَا”. ثُمَّ عَادَ يَدْعُوهُ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ : “وَهَذِهِ؟” قَالَ: نَعَمْ، فِي الثَّالِثَةِ، فَقَامَا يَتَدَافَعَانِ حَتَّى أَتَيَا مَنْزِلَهُ.
“The Messenger of Allah had a Persian neighbour who was skilled in preparing broth. He prepared some for the Messenger of Allah and came to invite him. The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘And her?’ referring to ʿĀʾishah. He replied, ‘No.’ So the Messenger of Allah said, ‘No.’ He returned and invited him again, and the Messenger of Allah again asked, ‘And her?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘No.’ Then he returned a third time and invited him. The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘And her?’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ So they both arose and went together until they reached his home.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, no. 2037.]
Imām an-Nawawī’s Explanation
Abū Zakariyyā Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf an-Nawawī (d. 676 AH/1277 CE) commented regarding the second narration concerning the story of the Persian that this is a separate incident. It is understood that there existed a valid excuse which removed the obligation upon the Prophet to accept the invitation.
In such circumstances, the Prophet had two permissible options: either to accept the invitation or to decline it. Since ʿĀʾishah was in a state of hunger, or in a similar situation, he chose to decline the invitation unless she was included.
Honouring One’s Spouse
The Prophet disliked being singled out for food without her. This insistence upon ʿĀʾishah’s inclusion falls under the category of noble conduct, fulfilment of spousal rights and recommended social behaviour enjoined by Islam.
Thus, when she was permitted to attend, the Prophet chose the second permissible option for the sake of a greater benefit. That benefit lay in honouring his wife, perfecting good character in his dealings with her and showing compassion in the situation that had arisen.
References
An-Nawawī, Abū Zakariyyā Yaḥyā ibn Sharaf (d. 676 AH/1277 CE), Al-Minhāj Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj, commentary on no. 2037.
Muslim ibn al-Ḥajjāj (d. 261 AH/875 CE), Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Ashribah, no. 2037.
