فَجَعَلناهُنَّ أَبكارًا
And made them virgins.
INSIGHTS FROM HADITH
- The Prophet described these verses as follows: ‘These are ladies who die at old age with grey hairs and secreting eyes [because of age]. God shall then make them all of the same age; whenever their husbands approach them, they will find them to be virgins.’
- Once, an old lady of the Anṣār came to the Prophet and told him: ‘O Messenger of God, pray to God to admit me into paradise.’ The Prophet told her: ‘No old lady shall enter paradise.’ So the lady started weeping in grief. The Prophet then smiled and said: ‘That is because you will not be an old lady anymore, for indeed God says: We have created them with a special creation, and made them virgins.’ There are several versions of this tradition with slight variations.
Note: This is an example of an elegant humour by the Messenger of God. What he said did not involve any lie, was completely in accordance with the Quran, and was expressed not to hurt the feelings of the old lady, but to make her even more excited, appreciative, and happier afterwards, not to mention its delicate humour. Indeed you possess a great character (68:4); It is by Allah’s mercy that you are gentle to them (3:159).
[1] Zamakhshari, 4/462; Tabrisi.J, 4/234.
[2] Suyuti, 6/158; Uyun, 2/188; Manaqib, 1/148; Tanbih, 1/112.