Narrated Masruq bin Al-Aida (RA):
Um Ruman, the mother of Aisha (RA) said that while Aisha (RA) and she were sitting, an Ansari woman came and said, "May Allah harm such and-such a person!" Um Ruman said to her, What is the matter?" She replied, "My son was amongst those who talked of the story (of the Slander)." Um Ruman said, "What is that?" She said, "So-and-so...." and narrated the whole story. On that Aisha (RA) said, "Did Allahs Apostle ﷺ hear about that?" She replies, "yes." Aisha (RA) further said, "And Abu Bakr (RA) too?" She replied, "Yes." On that, Aisha (RA) fell down fainting, and when she came to her senses, she had got fever with rigors. I put her clothes over her and covered her. The Prophet ﷺ came and asked, "What is wrong with this (lady)?" Um Ruman replied, "O Allahs Apostle ﷺ ! She (i.e. Aisha (RA)) has got temperature with rigors." He said, "Perhaps it is because of the story that has been talked about?" She said, "Yes." Aisha (RA) sat up and said, "By Allah, if I took an oath (that I am innocent), you would not believe me, and if I said (that I am not innocent), you would not excuse me. My and your example is like that of Jacob and his sons (as Jacob said ): It is Allah (Alone) Whose Help can be sought against that you assert. Um Ruman said, "The Prophet ﷺ then went out saying nothing. Then Allah declared her innocence. On that, Aisha (RA) said (to the Prophet), "I thank Allah only; thank neither anybody else nor you."