Talhah...

Talhah, 'A'ishah's cousin, too, was not free from this envy and mental anxiety, and 'A'ishah often went to her father and cousin to listen to their words of expectation and complaint, while they, in turn, paid attention to hers. Thus they exchanged with each other their feelings of hostility towards 'Ali and Fatimah, and hardened their hearts towards them. I cannot exonerate 'Ali from engaging in these matters either.

Moreover, during the Prophet's lifetime there had occurred some altercations between 'A'ishah and 'Ali, each of which was enough to rouse latent feelings, and cause mischief. It is narrated that one day the Prophet was strolling and talking with 'Ali, and their private conversation lasted for quite some time.86 'A'ishah who was 85. Kanz 6/210, tradition 3866, Biography of Fatimah and Khadijah in Tabaqat Vol. 8, al-Isabah, al-Isti'ab, Usd al-ghabah, Hilyat of Abu Nu'aym, Tahdhib al-kamal.

Historians state that this private talk took place at the time of the battle of at-Ta'if, and when it became lengthy the people commented on its elongation. A narration says that when Abu Bakr commented on its elongation to the Prophet, he answered: "I was not in communion with him, but it was from Cod." Refer to Sahih of at-Tirmidhi 2/200, History of al-Khatib 7/402, Kanz 6/159 and 399, Usd al-ghabah 4/27.

following them unawares, suddenly came upon them and said: "What matter of importance has engaged you two for such a long time?" It is said that the Prophet became angry at this interruption. It is also narrated that some food was brought for him and he ordered his servant to throw it down; a reaction which is commonly shown by a husband or wife.

The Prophet's intense affection for Fatimah's children On the one hand, Fatimah had given birth to several male and female children, whereas 'A'ishah had none, and more painful than that, from her viewpoint, was the fact that the Prophet regarded Fatimah's children as his own and called them thus: "Bring my child...Don't stop my child...What is my son doing?" How would a woman feel who had no children of her own, and saw that her husband called his grandchildren as his own children, showed them a fatherly affection, and loved them deeply?

Would she, too, love them and their mother? Or would she dislike and even hate them? Would she wish them a happy life or would she desire their annihilation?