How can one respond to the misgivings raised by a Rafidi concerning the narration about washing semen from a garment, which include questions about how Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) knew of a man's nocturnal emission, whether he knew the religious ruling, whether Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) submitted to the statement, why the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not teach the people about washing, and his casting doubt on the man's place of descent?

Among the ethics of a Muslim is to interpret the actions of their brethren in the best possible light and to avoid suspicion. A Muslim must approach reports concerning the Mothers of the Believers with a pure heart.

The story of the man who washed his garment and Aishah seeing him does not mean she saw him washing it herself; one of her maids might have seen him and informed her. The Mother of the Believers Aishah teaching him a matter of religion is not considered a yielding in speech; rather, it is advice regarding faith, and there is no shame in seeking knowledge for understanding religion.

The Mother of the Believers merely guided him to what was easier for him, which is that rubbing off semen is sufficient and does not require washing. It is also possible that the garment belonged to the household and washing it would ruin it.

Not all of Islamic law was legislated through sayings; rather, many of its rulings were established by the actions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. People needed Aishah’s knowledge, may Allah be pleased with her, due to her vast knowledge and her later passing. Even the Companions would ask her about matters of purification and marital relations, and this constitutes a consensus from them on the permissibility of her conduct.