Praise be to Allah,
Muhammad ibn Abu ‘Adiyy narrated to us from Humayd [at-Taweel] from Anas ibn Maalik who said,
“The iqaamah for prayer was called while there was an altercation between the Prophet’s wives and he was trying to keep them apart [so that they would keep quiet]. Abu Bakr came and said, ‘Throw dust in their mouths, Messenger of Allah (PBUH), and come out and pray!”‘
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 3, p. 104. The isnaad of this hadeeth is Saheeh according to the conditions set by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.)
Commentary:
Muslim’s narration reads, “Allah Messenger (PBUH) had nine wives. So when he divided [his stay] with them, the turn of the first wife did not come but on the ninth day. All the wives used to gather every night in the house of one where he had to come [and stay that night. It was the night when he had to stay in the house of ‘A’a’ishah when Zaynab came. He stretched his hand towards Zaynab, and ‘Aa’ishah said, ‘It is Zaynab.’ Allah’s Messenger withdrew his hand. There was an altercation between the two until their voices became loud and it was at that time when the iqaamah was pronounced for prayer. There happened to come to Abu Bakr who heard their voices and said, Messenger of Allah, kindly come for prayer, and throw dust in their mouths.’ So they went out. ‘A’a’ishah said, ‘When Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) concludes his prayer Abu Bakr will come and do as he does [on such occasions, i.e. reprimanding ‘A’a’ ishah]. When Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) had concluded his prayer, Abu Bakr came and spoke to ‘A’a’ishah in stern words and said, ‘Do you behave like this?”‘
Source:
Thulaathiyyaat Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reports of Imaam Ahmad that have only three narrators between him and the Prophet, peace, and blessings be upon him.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Saalim as–Saffaareenee al–Hanbalee ~(1114 –1188 AH)