Aisha radiyallahu anha reports, “Once eleven women assembled and made an agreement, that each of them would describe the true state of their husbands, without hiding any fact.”

THE FIRST WOMAN said, “My husband is like the meat of a useless camel. (As if he is a piece of meat that has no life left in it, and also like the meat of a camel that is generally not preferred). And the meat also put on top of a mountain which is difficult to climb. The road to the top is not easy, so that it may be possible to climb it, nor is the meat of much value, that because of it one should separate it into a hundred lots and carry it down.

THE SECOND WOMAN said, “(If I do describe my husband what can I describe about him. I have nothing to say about him). I fear if I begin to describe his faults, there will be no end to it. If I begin I will have to mention all his inner and outer faults.”

THE THIRD WOMAN said, “My husband is an ‘A-shannaq’ which means he is a very tall man. If I do comment on anything he will immediately give talaaq (divorce), and if I keep silent, I just hang around.”

THE FOURTH WOMAN said.. "My husband is mild mannered, like nights of Tihaamah. He is not hot nor cold, nor is there anything to fear of him, nor any displeasure".

THE FIFTH WOMAN said: "When my husband comes into the house, he becomes a cheetah, and when he goes out, he becomes a lion. He does not care to investigate what happens in the house".

THE SIXH WOMAN said: "When my husband eats, he eats everything. When he drinks, he does not leave anything. When he sleeps, he sleeps in his own sheet. He does not even touch me, so that he can know the disturbance in my mind".

THE SEVENTH WOMAN said: "My husband is impotent and unmanly. He is such a dunce that he cannot even speak. Whatever sickness a person has in this world, he possess it. His manners are such that he may break my head or injure my body, or do both".

THE EIGHTH WOMAN said: "My husband is soft like a rabbit when I touch him. His smell is like the fagrance ofe of za'faraan (saffron)"

THE NINTH WOMAN said: "My husband is of high status, generous, hospitable, owner of a high dwelling. He has a lot of ashes. He is tall built. His home is near the majlis and Daarul Mashwarah (House of Counsel)'.

THE TENTH WOMAN said: "My husband is Maalik, and what can I describe about Maalik. He is more generous than all those who have been praised, or he is more praiseworthy than all the praises I may shower on him. He owns many herds of camels, which are kept near the house. They are seldom taken out for grazing. When the camels hear the sound of the mizhar, they are sure that their end is near".

THE ELEVENTH WOMAN Umm Zar-a, said: "My husband was Abu Zar-a', and how can I praise Abu Zar-a'? He made my ears bow with jewels. He made my sides (by feeding) full of fat. He kept me so happy and contented, that due to self admiration and haughtiness I thought I was virtuous. He found me from such a poor home, that lived with hardship, owning only a few goats for a living. From there he brought me into such a prosperous family who owned horses, camel oxen for ploughing, and gardeners (and possessed all types of wealth. Besides all this he was so good natured) that he did not criticise me scold me for anything. I slept till late in the morning, and no one was allowed to wake me up. Food was so abundant that after filling myself I just left it (and it never got finished). The mother of Abu Zar-a' ( mother-in-law), in what manner can I praise her? Her huge utensils were always full. Her house was very spacious (She was very rich, and according to the habit of women, was not a miser. By the vastness of the house it is meant
that many visitors were entertained). The son of Abu Zar-a', in what manner can I praise him? He was also a light upon light. He was so thin and skinny, the sleeping part of his body (ribs etc. was thin like a branch, or a sword. A side of a lamb was enough to fill his stomach. (i.e. There was no
great formalities for a brave one to sleep like a soldier he slept a little in a small place. In the same manner he ate simple food, but befitting a warrior. Two or three pieces of meat was his food). The daughter of Abu Zar-a', how can she be praised? She obeys her mother and father. She is fat and healthy, and a jealousy for the second wife (The second wife feels jealous on her
excellence. Among the 'Arabs it is desirable that a man be thin and tall, and a woman fat a healthy). And how can I praise the slave girl of Abu Zar-a'? She never gossiped about our house affairs to anyone. She did not even use foodstuffs without permission. She did not let the house
become dirty and untidy, but kept it clean. (The days passed wonderfully). One morning whilst the utensils of milk were being churned Abu Zara went out of the house. He found a woman, with two cheetah like children playing with pomegranates. (The similarity of cheetah is with
playing, and the pomegranates are either in reality pomegranates which the children were spinning and playing with, or breasts of the women are intended here). He loved her so much, that he divorced me, a married her. (I was divorced because as a second wife, she would become
heartsore, and by divorcing me the new wife would have greater regard for him). In one narration it is mentioned that he married her. He then divorced me. Subsequently I married another chief and noble man, who was a prince and soldier. He showered on me many gifts. And from each
type of animal i.e. camel, cow, goat, etc. etc., he presented me a pair and said to me, 'Eat as much as you want yourself, send to your parents as much as you wish'. The fact is this, if I add up all his good qualities etc. then too he will not excel the little thing that abu Zar-a' bestowed upon me". Sayyiditina 'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha says: "After Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu
'Alayhi Wasallain completed this story, he said to me. 'I am also to you as Abu Zar-a, had been to Umm Zar-a'