Once the Prophet stayed away from his wives for a month because they had distressed him by
asking of him that which he did not have. This was after the Khaybar expedition when an
increase of riches whetted the appetite for presents. Returning from his self-imposed
retreat, he went first to A'ishah's apartment. She was delighted to see him but he said he
had received Revelation which required him to put two options before her. He then recited
the verses:
"O Prophet! Say to your wives: If you desire the life of this world and its
adornments, then come and I will bestow its goods upon you, and I will release you with a
fair release. But if you desire God and His Messenger and the abode of the Hereafter, then
verily God has laid in store for you an immense reward for such as you who do good."
A'ishah's reply was:
"Indeed I desire God and His Messenger and the abode of the Hereafter," and her
response was followed by all the others.
She stuck to her choice both during the lifetime of the Prophet and afterwards. Later when
the Muslims were favoured with enormous riches, she was given a gift of one hundred
thousand dirhams. She was fasting when she received the money and she distributed the
entire amount to the poor and the needy even though she had no provisions in her house.
Shortly after, a maidservant said to her:
"Could you buy meat for a dirham with which to break your fast?"
"If I had remembered, I would have done so," she said.