Following a marriage contract, the Prophet (ﷺ) met with Al-Jauniyya, a woman from the Bani Jaun tribe, in a private setting. During the interaction, she expressed discomfort, stating, "I seek refuge with Allah from you". In response, the Prophet (ﷺ) immediately respected her plea, stating she had sought refuge with the ultimate protector, and ordered that she be provided with two white linen garments and returned to her family, as detailed on Sunnah.com . Historical Context and Background
The Prophet then approached Barirah and suggested, "Why do you not go back to him?"
The narration tells of an incident where the Prophet met a woman, Al-Jauniyya, and proposed marriage to her. She replied by questioning if a woman of high status should marry a commoner, and when the Prophet attempted to calm her, she sought refuge in Allah from him. The Prophet respected her request immediately, instructed his companion Abu Usaid to provide her with two garments, and sent her back to her family. The full text can be read at Sunnah.com . 1. Consent and Autonomy in Marriage
The marriage was arranged by the woman’s father before she came to Madinah. It is crucial to note that the Prophet married her lawfully—with her father’s consent and a specified dower—before the events described in the hadith unfolded. This is why the narration appears in the Book of Divorce rather than the Book of Marriage: the legal marriage had already occurred, and what followed was either its dissolution or an attempt to proceed. As the prominent scholar al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar observed, the very fact that a divorce was issued confirms that a valid marriage contract had preceded it, since divorce cannot take place except after a lawful marriage.
Some critics have misinterpreted the phrase "he raised his hand to pat her" as an act of aggression. The Arabic text uses the verb —"He raised his hand to place his hand on her so that she might become tranquil." This is the gesture of a gentle pat, similar to soothing a crying child or calming a distressed person. It was not a violent movement but an act of compassion. When the woman recoiled and sought refuge in Allah, the Prophet immediately withdrew his hand and honored her request. He never laid his hand on a woman who refused to marry him. sahih bukhari 5255
When a person is so consumed by rage that they lose control of their senses and do not comprehend what they are saying. 2. The Mechanics of Anger in Divorce
When the woman sought refuge in Allah, the Prophet honoured this, demonstrating that even a leader would not ignore a spiritual plea for distance.
This hadith is often discussed by scholars to illustrate principles of , dignity , and the legal framework of divorce in Islam. The Narrative
The inclusion of this hadith in the chapter titled "Whoever divorced (his wife), and should a man tell his wife face to face that she is divorced" is significant. It establishes that: A marriage can be terminated verbally and directly. Following a marriage contract, the Prophet (ﷺ) met
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
: As the Prophet moved his hand toward her to calm her, she said, "I seek refuge with Allah from you." He immediately respected her request, stating, "You have sought refuge with One Who gives refuge," and ordered Abu Usaid to provide her with two white linen dresses and return her to her family. 2. Scholarly Interpretations and Insights
Refers to the financial status of the woman. Men often seek a bride who is wealthy or comes from a financially stable background to secure their own economic comfort.
If you need analyzing Sahih Bukhari 5255 — including: The full text can be read at Sunnah
In Arabic, the last phrase refers to the ( al-qalb ) — meaning the Prophet acknowledged that while he could divide his time equally, he could not control his natural emotional inclinations. This hadith is the basis for the legal concept that a husband must treat co-wives equally in material matters (time, nights, spending), but not in love or emotional attachment.
This specific narration serves as a critical foundational text for Islamic jurisprudence regarding marriage, the necessity of mutual consent, and the legal mechanism of face-to-face separation. The English Translation of the Hadith
The Chapter on the Prohibition of Intoxicants (Kitab Al-Ashribah).
He commanded that she be safely escorted back to her family. Summary of Lessons