Explanation

This Hadīth highlights the justice of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in dividing the nights among his wives. He did not favor anyone over the other. ‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) mentioned that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to pass by his wives every night, and he would fondle his wives and spend some intimate time with them without having sexual intercourse. He did that to comfort them, and out of maintaining good companionship with them. He used to spend the night at the house of the one whose turn was up. When Sawdah bint Zam‘ah grew older, she became worried that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) might leave her, but she wanted to stay as his wife and keep that honor, being a Mother of the Believers and one of the wives of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Therefore, she decided to give up her day to ‘Ā'ishah, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) accepted that from her. Then, ‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) mentioned that the verse: {If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part…} [Sūrat An-Nisā': 128] was revealed concerning this situation and others like it.