Hadithcore
Sunan Abi Dawud, 2135
hasan· Al-Albani

Narrated Hisham b. 'Urwah:

On the authority of his father that 'Aishah said: O my nephew, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not prefer one of us to the other in respect of his division of the time of his staying with us. It was very rare that he did not visit us any day (i.e. he visited all of us every day). He would come near each of his wives without having intercourse with her until he reached the one who had her day and passed his night with her. When Saudah daughter of Zam'ah became old and feared that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would divorce her, she said: Messenger of Allah, I give to 'Aishah the day you visit me. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) accepted it from her. She said: We think that Allah, the Exalted, revealed about this or similar matter the Qur'anic verse: "If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part...." [4:128]

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ - عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ يَا ابْنَ أُخْتِي كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ يُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَنَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فِي الْقَسْمِ مِنْ مُكْثِهِ عِنْدَنَا وَكَانَ قَلَّ يَوْمٌ إِلاَّ وَهُوَ يَطُوفُ عَلَيْنَا جَمِيعًا فَيَدْنُو مِنْ كُلِّ امْرَأَةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ مَسِيسٍ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ إِلَى الَّتِي هُوَ يَوْمُهَا فَيَبِيتُ عِنْدَهَا وَلْقَدْ قَالَتْ سَوْدَةُ بِنْتُ زَمْعَةَ حِينَ أَسَنَّتْ وَفَرِقَتْ أَنْ يُفَارِقَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يَوْمِي لِعَائِشَةَ ‏.‏ فَقَبِلَ ذَلِكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْهَا قَالَتْ نَقُولُ فِي ذَلِكَ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى وَفِي أَشْبَاهِهَا أُرَاهُ قَالَ ‏{‏ وَإِنِ امْرَأَةٌ خَافَتْ مِنْ بَعْلِهَا نُشُوزًا ‏}‏ ‏.‏

References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 12, Hadith 90
English Reference
Book 11, Hadith 2130
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the best of people to his family, the most just among people with his wives, and the farthest from any injustice.In this Hadith, `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said to `Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him), “O my nephew,” - referring to her sister, Asma’ bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) - “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not favor some of us over others.”That is, he did not distinguish one wife from another nor wrong one for the sake of another. The narration continues, “in how he divided his time among us" - i.e., referring to how he spent his nights and time among his wives - “There was hardly a day except that he would visit all of us.” That is, he would visit all of his wives in turn. The narration then reads, “and come close to each woman” - i.e., he would approach each of them, spend time, and give her her due share - “without intimacy.” That is, without intercourse, simply checking on their condition and reassuring them.The narration then reads, “Until he reached the one whose day it was, and he would stay with her,” meaning when it was the appointed night for a particular wife, he would spend the night with her and have intercourse with her, fulfilling his rights as a husband. Sawdah bint Zam`ah (may Allah be pleased with her), one of the Prophet’s wives, said that when she grew old and feared that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) might leave her, she said, “O Messenger of Allah, my day is for `A’ishah,” meaning she gave up her turn for the Prophet’s overnight stay in favor of `A’ishah, wishing to remain married to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) accepted her offer. Though he would visit Sawdah to comfort and reassure her, he no longer stayed overnight with her since she gave her night to `A’ishah. “She said” — that is, `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said — "We used to say regarding such matters," meaning: in cases like this one, "Allah revealed," that is: He revealed Quranic verses to be recited, "and in similar cases," meaning: situations of the same nature. I think he said: { And if a woman fears ill-conduct or desertion on her husband’s part...} [An-Nisa’ 4:128] — Meaning: Allah revealed these verses in Surat An-Nisa’ in relation to this issue.The Nushuz (ill-conduct) of a husband toward his wife refers to his turning away from her and a lack of desire for her. This Hadith illustrates the ideal marital relationship, particularly for a man with multiple wives. It emphasizes the necessity of justice in distributing time among them and ensuring no preference is shown to one over another. It also shows how a husband can bring comfort and companionship to his wives by visiting them all, providing reassurance and warmth. It further indicates the permissibility of one wife gifting her turn or right to another..