It is narrated from Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that even after this verse was revealed: 'You may put aside whichever of them you wish and take to yourself whichever you wish' [Surah al-Ahzab: 51] , the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (out of the perfection of his character) would still ask our permission, on the day of one of us, to go to another. Mu'adhah said: I asked Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "What reply did you use to give to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?" She said: "I used to say: If this decision rests with me, I will not prefer anyone else over myself." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim), but they did not record it.