مسند امام احمد بن حنبل · Hadith 515

'A'ishah, the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), and 'Uthman narrated that Abu Bakr asked for permission to enter upon the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) when he was lying down on his bed, wearing the cover of 'A'ishah. He gave permission to Abu Bakr (to enter) when he was like that, and he fulfilled his need then he went away. Then 'Umar asked for permission to enter and he gave him permission (to enter) when he was like that, and he fulfilled his need then he went away. 'Uthman said: Then I asked permission to enter and he sat up and said to 'A'ishah: "Cover yourself properly." I fulfilled my need then l went away. 'A'ishah said: O Messenger of Allah, why did I not see you stirring for Abu Bakr and 'Umar as you did for 'Uthman? The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: " 'Uthman is a shy man, and I was afraid that if I gave him permission to enter when I was in that state, he would not tell me of his need." Al-Laith said: Some people said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to 'A'ishah (RA): "Should I not feel shy before a man before whom the angels feel shy?"

Translated by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan · Reviewed by Islamic University of Madinah · Published March 2020