فَزَعَمَ أَنَّ صِنَاعَتَهُ قَدْ رُمِيَتْ بِالْكَسَادِ لِمَا ظَهَرَ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنَ الْفَسَادِ
He claimed that his trade had fallen into a slump because corruption had spread through the land.
Zaʿama reports what he alleged. Kasād means commercial stagnation; fasād means corruption or disorder. Their rhyme makes the excuse sound persuasive.
The husband’s justification is still reported through his wife. His direct answer comes later; the present lesson must not turn her account into the judge’s verdict.