Mother of the believers Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her) -

Her Family

Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, the closest companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the first Caliph. Her full name was Abu Bakr Abdullah Ibn Abu Quhafah Uthman Ibn ‘Amir of the Quraish tribe.

Amr Ibn al-As once asked the Prophet, “Who do you love most, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet replied, “Aisha.” When Amr asked about the men, the Prophet answered, “Her father.”

Aisha’s mother was Om Ruman, the daughter of Amer from the Kanaan tribe, known for her strong faith. Ibn Saad, through Yazid Ibn Harun and Affan Ibn Muslim, reported that Alkassim Ibn Mohamed Ibn Abu Bakr said: When Om Ruman was laid to rest, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever wishes to see a woman from Paradise should look at Om Ruman.”

Allah commanded His Prophet to marry Aisha. Aisha herself related that the Prophet told her he had seen her in his dreams. Gabriel brought him a picture of her wrapped in a green silk cloth and said, “This is your wife in this world and in the Hereafter.”

A Common Practice

Today, some people find the marriage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to Aisha unusual and unacceptable due to their significant age difference—she was nine and he was in his forties. To understand this, it’s essential to consider the cultural and environmental context of that time.

Before marrying the Prophet, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was engaged to Gubair Ibn Mutem Ibn Adii. It was quite common in those days for young girls to marry men as old as their fathers. Aisha was neither the first nor the last to marry a man much older than herself in that cultural setting.

For instance, Abd Elmutablib was an elderly man when he married Hala, the cousin of Amina, the Prophet’s mother, on the same day his youngest son, Abdullah, married Amina. Similarly, Omar Ibn Elkhattab married the daughter of Ali Ibn Abu Talib, who was younger than her father.

The Marriage:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) became betrothed to Aisha and Sawda (may Allah be pleased with them) at the same time. He married Aisha three years later, after the Battle of Badr, in the month of Shawwal. The young bride then moved into the Prophet’s home, which was a simple room beside the mosque, made of clay and palm-trees.

Recalling her wedding day, Aisha shared that just before leaving her parents’ house, she had slipped out into the courtyard to play with a friend: “I was playing on a see-saw, my long hair flowing and disheveled,” she remembered. “They came and took me from my play to prepare me.”

She was dressed in a wedding dress made of fine, red-striped cloth from Bahrain. Her mother then took her to the newly-built house where some women from the Ansar (people of Medinah) were waiting outside the door.

They greeted her with the words, “For good and for happiness, may all be well!” In the presence of the smiling Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), a bowl of milk was brought. The Prophet drank from it first and then offered it to Aisha. Although she shyly declined at first, she accepted it upon his insistence. She then offered the bowl to her sister Asma, who was sitting beside her. Others also drank from it, marking the simple and solemn occasion of their wedding. There was no elaborate wedding feast.

Joy in the House of the Prophet, Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) shared how her playful nature remained unchanged after her marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Her young friends continued to visit her regularly at her home. “I would be playing with my dolls,” she said, “alongside the girls who were my friends. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered, they would quickly slip out of the house, but he would go after them and bring them back, pleased to see me happy.”

Sometimes, he would tell them to stay where they were before they had a chance to leave, even joining in their games. Aisha recounted: “One day, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came in while I was playing with my dolls and asked, ‘O Aisha, what game is this?’ ‘It is Solomon’s horses,’ I replied, and he laughed.”

One day, Abyssinians were performing a display with their weapons in the mosque. The Prophet asked Aisha if she wanted to watch, and she said yes. She remembered how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) screened her with his cloak, allowing her to watch freely. He stood with her until she had her fill and then they went back inside.

When Aisha first joined the Prophet’s household as a young girl, she formed a strong and lasting friendship with Sawda. Sawda took care of Aisha along with the rest of the household. As Aisha grew older, Sawda, who had become an elderly woman, gave up her share of the Prophet’s time in favor of Aisha. Sawda was content to be known as Umm al-Mumineen—’The Mother of the Believers’—a title of respect given to all the wives of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them).

Her Struggle

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) accepted a life of poverty with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Their household often went months without cooking food, subsisting only on dates and water.

During particularly challenging times, Allah instructed the Prophet to offer his wives the choice of remaining with him in such hardship or being divorced. Aisha chose to stay with the kind Prophet, and so did all his other wives (may Allah be pleased with them). Aisha did not even consult her parents before making this decision, confident that they too would never advise her to leave her beloved husband.

The Prophet’s Love for Aisha

Many incidents highlight the deep love the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had for Aisha.

Muslims used to send the Prophet gifts, often choosing Aisha’s day because they knew she was his most beloved wife. The other wives gathered at the house of Um Salama, one of the Prophet’s wives, and asked her to request that the Prophet tell the Muslims to send gifts on any day. She asked him once, but he did not respond. She asked again, and he remained silent. The third time she asked, he said, “Do not hurt me regarding Aisha, as the Divine Inspirations did not come to me on any of the beds except that of Aisha.” Um Salama then said, “I repent to Allah for hurting you.”

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) recounted that while traveling with the Prophet, they once raced, and she won. Years later, when she had gained some weight, they raced again, and he won.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once told Aisha, “I know when you are pleased with me and when you are angry with me.” She asked, “How do you know that?” He replied, “When you are pleased with me, you say, ‘No, by the God of Muhammad,’ but when you are angry with me, you say, ‘No, by the God of Abraham.'” She said, “Yes, O God’s Prophet, I only abandon your name.”

In another instance, the Prophet shared the famous story of Um Zara, who praised her loving and kind husband. The Prophet then told Aisha that he was to her like Abu Zara was to Um Zara.

Her Love for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

An-Nasfi related an incident where Aisha was upset due to the lack of food in their house. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not appreciate her tone and left the house in anger. Aisha tried to apologize, but he had already left. She then placed her cheek on the ground, cried, and prayed to Allah. When the Prophet reached the mosque, Gabriel (peace be upon him) appeared and conveyed Allah’s message for him to return to Aisha and forgive her. Upon returning, Aisha sought his forgiveness, which he granted. Gabriel then brought a pot of sweets and told the Prophet that Allah said the reconciliation and its food were from Him.

Aisha also recounted that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once told her that he loved her more than dates with butter, to which she responded, “And you, O Messenger of God, are more loved to me than honey with butter.”

When Aisha’s jealousy surfaced, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would excuse her, acknowledging that if she could control her jealousy, she would. Her jealousy was a testament to her deep love for the Prophet, yet it never crossed the bounds of religion or fairness.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a habit of drawing lots among his wives whenever he traveled, to ensure fairness in choosing who would accompany him. On one such occasion, both Aisha and Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with them) won the lot and traveled with him. At night, the Prophet would walk beside Aisha’s camel and talk to her. Hafsa then suggested they switch places, to which Aisha agreed.

In those days, a shield was built on the camel for women to protect them from the sun and ensure their privacy. With Hafsa sitting in Aisha’s shield, the Prophet continued walking beside what he thought was Aisha’s camel. Overcome with jealousy, Aisha prayed to Allah that a scorpion or serpent would bite her for having switched places with Hafsa. She remained silent, consumed by her emotions.

The Ordeal of the Great Lie (The Ifk)

On the return from the Islamic expedition of Banu al-Mustaliq, Aisha lost a necklace and went searching for it, missing the departure of the caravan. Due to her light weight, her absence went unnoticed until the next halt. Upon returning and finding the army gone, she waited, hoping someone would return.

Safwan, responsible for retrieving any lost items, found Aisha and placed her on his camel, leading her back to the army. Unfortunately, hypocrites led by Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, who harbored animosity towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), spread slanderous rumors about Aisha and Safwan.

These lies reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), causing significant strain on him and his household. Aisha, unaware of the rumors but noticing the Prophet’s changed demeanor, fell ill. When she learned of the gossip, her condition worsened, prompting her to seek refuge at her parents’ house with the Prophet’s permission.

Upon arriving, Aisha asked her mother, Umm Ruman, about the rumors. Her mother tried to console her, but Aisha was devastated. Safwan, confronted with the allegations, firmly denied any wrongdoing.

Without any divine revelation to clarify the matter, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sought the truth from those close to Aisha. He asked Aisha’s maid, Barira, if she had noticed anything suspicious in Aisha’s behavior. Barira testified to Aisha’s innocence, saying, “By Him who sent you with the truth, I have not seen anything wrong with her, other than that she is a young girl and sometimes falls asleep while kneading the dough, and a lamb comes along and eats it!”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also sought the opinion of Zaynab bint Jahsh, one of his wives known for her wisdom. Although Zaynab and Aisha were often at odds, and despite Zaynab’s sister Hamna being among those spreading the rumor, Zaynab replied without hesitation, “O Messenger of Allah, I will not repeat anything that I have not heard with my own ears and seen with my own eyes. By Allah, I find nothing in her but goodness.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then tried to vindicate Aisha’s honor by publicly addressing the community in the mosque. However, the hypocrites who had initiated the slander only exacerbated the situation, leading to heated arguments among the people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) managed to calm the congregation and restore order.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then went to Abu Bakr’s house, where Aisha had been crying. In the presence of her parents, he said the Shahada and continued, “If you are innocent, then Allah Himself will protect your honor, and if by accident there has been a lapse on your part, then seek the forgiveness of Allah and He will pardon you, for when a slave admits a fault and turns to Him in repentance, then Allah also turns and accepts that repentance.”

Aisha recounted that upon hearing the Prophet’s words, her tears stopped. She asked her father to respond on her behalf, but he was at a loss for words. She then asked her mother, who also did not know what to say. Aisha, feeling helpless, declared, “By Allah, I know that you have heard this story that people are saying, and it has become fixed in yourself and you have believed it. If I were to say to you that I am innocent, you would not believe me. If I were to confess to something and Allah knows that I am innocent, you would believe me. By Allah, I can only say what the father of Yusuf, peace be upon him, said: ‘Patience is beautiful, and Allah is my protection against what you describe.’ (Yusuf 12:18)”

Aisha then turned away, hoping for divine intervention to prove her innocence. She never imagined that a revelation would be sent down regarding her, considering herself too insignificant for such an honor. However, she hoped the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would receive a dream exonerating her. At that moment, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) received a revelation, and when it was over, he smiled and said, “Do not worry, Aisha, for Allah has revealed proof of your innocence.”

Her mother, standing next to her, urged Aisha to thank the Prophet. However, Aisha, whose title ‘Siddiqa’ means ‘the truthful one,’ responded, “By Allah, I will not thank him and praise him but rather Allah Who has given the revelation that has protected my honor!”

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then went to the mosque and recited the verses revealed to him, clearing Aisha’s name:

“Surely those who fabricate the lie are a group from among you. Do not think it is bad for you; no, it is good for you. Every man will receive what he has earned for this sin, and whoever had the greater part in it will have a great punishment. Why did the men and women believers, when they heard it, not think good of themselves and say: ‘This is clearly a lie?’ Why did they not produce four witnesses? Since they did not produce witnesses, they are certainly liars in the sight of Allah. If it were not for the grace of Allah, and His mercy on you in this world and in the next world, an awful doom would have overtaken you for what you repeated. Since you received it with your tongues, and repeated with your mouths what you did not know anything about, you thought it was a trifle, but in the sight of Allah it is serious. Why, when you heard it, did you not say: ‘It is not for us to repeat this. Glory be to You (O Allah), this is a serious rumor.’ Allah warns you to never repeat anything like this again if you are indeed believers. Allah makes the signs clear to you; and Allah is Knowing, Wise. Surely those who love to spread slander among those who believe will have a painful punishment in this world and in the next world; and Allah knows and you do not know.” (An-Nour 24:11-19).

Aisha forgave those who had been caught up in the slander, and she did not tolerate any bad words against them later in life. The divine revelation protecting Aisha’s honor underscored her high standing with Allah and reinforced her esteemed position within the Muslim community.

Departure of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from this world

As narrated by Aisha, this reflects a poignant moment in Islamic history:

During his final illness, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was extremely weak and could no longer move freely between the houses of his wives. He requested to be nursed in Aisha’s house, and all his wives agreed. Aisha took on the task of caring for him day and night.

On his last night, Aisha was cradling his head in her lap when Abdul-Rahman, the son of Abu Bakr (Aisha’s father), entered with a Siwak (tooth stick). Seeing the Siwak, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicated that he wished to use it. Aisha understood his intention and took the Siwak from her brother. She chewed it, perfumed it, and softened it with her saliva, then handed it to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

With all his remaining strength, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) brushed his teeth. He was sweating profusely, so Aisha wiped his forehead with her hands, remarking, “His hands are purer than mine.”

During this time, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gazed towards the sky and expressed his choice for the heavens, indicating that Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him) had given him the choice to pass away or remain. He chose to be with his Creator, Allah Almighty.

Thus, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away in Aisha’s arms. Her softened saliva on the Siwak was the last substance that entered his mouth before his death. He was buried in her home, where he passed away, marking a deeply intimate and significant moment in Islamic history and in the life of Aisha, his beloved wife.

Her Great Role:

Az-Zubairi once remarked, “If we compared Aisha’s knowledge to that of all other women, Aisha would surpass them.”

Hisham Ibn Urwa stated, “I have never seen anyone with more knowledge of the Quran, obligatory acts, sunnah, poetry, history, lineage, judgment, or medicine than Aisha.”

When Masruq was asked if Aisha perfected the obligatory acts, he responded, “By Allah, I have seen the great companions of the Prophet asking her about the obligatory acts.”

Even prominent figures like Omar Ibn Al-Khattab and Othman Ibn Affan sought her advice on matters of sunnah.

Aisha, blessed with a sharp, accurate memory, intelligence, and a remarkable ability to learn quickly, reported a vast number of hadiths (around 2,000). She is considered one of the top four narrators of hadith (alongside Abu Hurairah, Abdullah Ibn Omar, and Anas Ibn Malik). Aisha was a keen learner, always asking the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about anything unclear to her to understand and teach all Muslims.

Whenever she outargued someone, the Prophet would smile and say, “She is the daughter of Abu Bakr!”

Aisha also exemplified great generosity. Once, when the Islamic state became wealthy, she received a gift of one hundred thousand dirhams while she was fasting. Despite living a modest life and refusing luxury, she had nothing to break her fast with. She distributed all the money to the poor Muslims. After giving away all the money, her maid asked, “Wouldn’t you reserve a dirham to buy meat to break your fast?”

Aisha would often sit with other women and share the knowledge she received from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Long after his passing, and throughout her life, she remained a source of wisdom and knowledge for both women and men.

Abu Musa once said, “Whenever a report appeared doubtful to us, we asked Aisha about it, and we always learned something from her.”

The Great Dispute

When Othman Ibn Affan was brutally killed after being under siege by a group of rioters—comprising hooligans and outlaws who hated Othman for punishing them, or hypocrites who claimed to be Muslims but actually hated Islam and sought to destabilize the strong Islamic society—his wife sought the help of Muawiya, his cousin and the governor of Ash-Shaam (Syria, Palestine, and Jordan), to avenge him.

For three days after Othman’s murder, there was no Caliph of Islam. Medina was completely under the control of the rioters. Most of the Companions had left Medina, and those who remained felt utterly helpless.

The rioters proposed Ali’s name for the Caliphate and requested him to become the Caliph. Ali initially refused, but someone had to restore order. With the situation in the capital deteriorating, Ali consulted with the remaining Companions in Medina. They urged him to step forward and serve the people. Thus, Ali agreed to take on the responsibility of guiding the affairs of the Muslims and consented to become the fourth Caliph of Islam.

Ali addressed the people in the mosque, and as soon as his speech concluded, a group of Companions, including Talha and Zubair, approached him.

“You are now the Caliph,” the deputation said. “Your first duty is to enforce the law of Shari’ah and punish the murderers of Othman. It was on this understanding that we pledged loyalty to you.”

“I will not let Othman’s death go un-avenged,” Ali assured them, “but you must wait. Conditions are not normal yet. The rioters still hold power in Medina. We are under their control, and my own position is unstable. So please wait. As soon as conditions allow, I will do my duty.”

This answer did not satisfy everyone. Some insisted that people must take matters into their own hands. If Ali was unable to punish the murderers of Othman, they themselves must do it.

The rioters learned of these developments. They were certain that Ali would punish them if normalcy was restored. Their only hope lay in maintaining a state of continued unrest. To achieve this, they had to play one party against the other.

Immediately, the rioters began their scheme, spreading misunderstandings everywhere with the aim of keeping the leaders of public opinion divided. Their safety and future depended on this chaos.

Aisha was on Hajj (pilgrimage) when Othman was killed. On her way back, she received the horrifying news of his murder and returned to Mecca. There, she addressed a public gathering, condemning the rioters for killing the Caliph in cold blood, in the holy city of the Prophet. She appealed to the people to avenge the death of the late Caliph.

Hundreds responded to Aisha’s call, including the Governor of Mecca. Meanwhile, Talha and Zubair also reached Mecca and informed Aisha of the situation in Medina. They emphasized the need for swift action against the rioters and assured her of their support. They advised her to go to Basra to gather more support for their cause.

Aisha set out for Basra at the head of a large force, which grew to three thousand men by the time she arrived.

Upon reaching Basra, Ali sent an envoy to Aisha to clear up any misunderstandings. “What is it that you people really want?” the envoy asked. “We want nothing but the well-being of Muslims,” they replied. “This is not possible until the death of Othman has been avenged.” “The demand for revenge is very just,” Ali’s envoy continued, “but how can you apprehend the mischief-makers without first strengthening the Caliph’s position? You have experienced this yourself. You began punishing the rioters in Basra but were helpless against Harqus bin Zubair. Six thousand men rose to defend him, forcing you to let him go. If necessity can drive you to overlook the crime of one man, how can you blame Ali? If you truly want to end the trouble, unite under the Caliph’s banner. Do not plunge the people into civil war. This is a matter for the entire community. I hope you prefer peace and order over widespread suffering and bloodshed.”

Aisha, Talha, and Zubair were moved by the appeal. “If Ali is genuinely keen to avenge Othman’s death,” they declared, “our differences can be easily settled.”

The envoy brought back hopeful news to Ali. Accompanying the envoy were some men from Basra, seeking assurance that Ali would not treat them as enemies. Ali reassured them, promising they had nothing to fear.

The hope for peace brightened. However, within Ali’s army were Abdullah bin Saba and his followers, for whom peace was disastrous. They were deeply troubled by Ali’s words after the envoy’s return from Basra.

“O people,” Ali had said, “the greatest favor Allah did to you was unity. Unity made you strong and great. The enemies of Islam did not like this and have tried to shatter our unity. Beware of them. Tomorrow we will march to Basra with peaceful intentions. Those who took part in Othman’s murder should part company with us.”

Abdullah bin Saba and his men were alarmed by this declaration. They secretly conspired, whispering among themselves, “Ali is going to avenge Othman’s death. He now aligns with Talha, Zubair, and Aisha. We must act against this.”

The Great Dispute

The following day, Ali marched to Basra. Talha and Zubair came out of the city with their army, and the two forces faced each other for three days while peace talks continued. On the third day, the top leaders of both sides had a face-to-face meeting. Ali rode forward on his horse, and from the other side came Talha and Zubair on their horses. They stood facing each other, with the necks of their horses touching.

“Am I not your brother?” Ali asked. “Is not the blood of a Muslim sacred to another Muslim?” “I curse the murderers of Othman,” Ali continued. “O Talha, did you not pledge loyalty to me?” “Yes, but at the point of the sword,” Talha replied. “Do you remember, O Zubair,” Ali said, addressing Zubair now, “that the Prophet of Allah once asked if you loved me. You said ‘Yes.’ The Prophet then foretold that one day you would fight me unjustly.” “Certainly!” Zubair acknowledged. “I now recall the words of the Prophet of Allah.”

After this conversation, the three men returned to their camps. Their discussion had brought their hearts closer, and they seriously considered the grim outcome of a civil war. The general feeling was that peace was now in sight.

Remembering the Prophet’s words, Zubair decided to leave the battlefield and headed towards Mecca. He stopped in a valley to pray, and while praying, he was killed by a man named Amr bin Jarmoz. Jarmoz brought Zubair’s arms to Ali, hoping for a reward, but instead received a stern rebuke.

“I saw the owner of this sword fight for the Prophet of Allah many times,” Ali said. “I give his murderer the news of hellfire.”

Ali returned to his camp, feeling satisfied that bloodshed had been averted. He issued strict orders that no one should shoot even a single arrow. At night, he prayed to Allah to save the Muslims from the horrors of civil war.

As night fell, the two armies lay in sound sleep, but Abdullah bin Saba and his henchmen stayed up all night. This was their last chance to disrupt the peace, and they could not let it slip by.

While it was still dark, the sound of clashing steel rent the air, followed by a sudden uproar. Saba and his men had launched a sudden attack on Aisha’s army. Soon, a full-scale battle ensued.

Aisha’s army, startled by the attack, asked, “What is this all about?” “Ali’s army made a night attack,” came the reply. “Alas!” they exclaimed. “Ali could not be stopped from shedding Muslim blood. We feared this all along.” Similarly startled by the sudden din, Ali asked, “What is the matter?” “Talha and Zubair have taken us by surprise,” replied Saba’s followers.

“Alas!” said Ali. “These men could not be stopped from killing Muslims. I feared this would happen all along.”

The fighting soon grew fierce, with Muslims turning against each other. Hundreds fell on each side. Talha was killed in battle, and while Aisha’s main army melted away, intense fighting continued around her camel. She sat in a howdah (litter) on the camel, directing the fight. Devoted Muslims fought desperately to protect the honor of the Prophet’s widow.

One after another, seventy men held the nose-string of the camel and laid down their lives. Ali’s heart bled at the sight of precious Muslim lives being lost for nothing. At last, Ali ordered one of his men to cut the hind legs of the camel. The beast fell on its forelegs, bringing down the howdah and ending the fighting.

Aisha was taken out of the howdah with all the respect due to her, unhurt. Ali approached her and said, “How do you do, mother?” “Perfectly all right,” Aisha replied. “May Allah forgive your mistake!” “And may He forgive your mistake too!” Ali responded.

Ali then surveyed the battlefield, where scores of well-known Companions lay dead. About ten thousand men from both sides had lost their lives, including some of the best sons of Islam. Deeply moved, Ali did not allow his men to take any booty. All belongings were collected and returned to the people of Basra.

After resting in Basra for a few days, Aisha was sent back to Medina. Her brother, Muhammad Abu Bakr, accompanied her. As she was about to leave, a number of men gathered around her camel. She addressed them, saying, “My children, do not blame one another. By Allah, there is no enmity between me and Ali. It was a mere family squabble. I consider Ali a good man.”

Ali affirmed her words, saying, “She is perfectly right. Our differences were just a family affair. She occupies a very high place in the Faith. Both here and in the world to come, she is the honored wife of the Prophet of Allah.”

Ali went many miles to see off Aisha.

Thus ended Aisha’s role in one of the greatest dangers the Islamic state faced throughout its history. While the story continued, Aisha’s involvement concluded with her reconciliation with Ali, may Allah be pleased with both of them.

Clarifying the Misunderstandings about Aisha (RA) and Ali (RA)

The tragic events surrounding the assassination of Uthman (RA) and the subsequent civil strife have led to various accusations and misunderstandings about the motivations of key figures, particularly Aisha (RA) and Ali (RA). Let’s address some of these accusations and clarify why they are baseless and illogical.

First: The Nature of Aisha’s (RA) Jealousy

Aisha (RA) did exhibit jealousy, but it was within the bounds of Islam and never led her to exceed the limits set by her faith. For example, despite her jealousy towards Khadija (RA), the Prophet’s first wife, Aisha (RA) narrated numerous hadiths that highlighted Khadija’s virtues and the Prophet’s deep love and respect for her. This shows that Aisha’s (RA) jealousy was human and natural but controlled and respectful.

Narration about Khadija (RA):
- Aisha (RA) reported that once the Prophet (SAW) mentioned Khadija (RA) in her presence, and Aisha (RA) responded, “She was not but an old lady, and Allah replaced her with a better one for you.” The Prophet (SAW) replied, “Indeed Allah did not grant me better than her; she accepted me when people rejected me, believed in me when people doubted me, shared her wealth with me when people deprived me, and Allah granted me children only through her.” Aisha (RA) then decided never to speak ill of Khadija (RA) again (Bukhari).
Support for the Prophet (SAW):
- When the Prophet (SAW) received his first revelation and was deeply distressed, it was Khadija (RA) who comforted and reassured him, highlighting his virtues and affirming that Allah would never disgrace him (Muslim).
Narration about Zainab bint Jahsh (RA):
- Aisha (RA) also narrated the virtues of Zainab bint Jahsh (RA), another wife of the Prophet (SAW), and respected her despite being a competitor (Muslim).

Aisha’s (RA) consistent narration of hadiths highlighting the virtues of other wives of the Prophet (SAW) indicates that her jealousy never led her to malice or to exceed the boundaries of Islam. It is highly improbable that such a jealousy would drive her to lead a battle and cause Muslim bloodshed.

Second: Aisha’s (RA) Respect for Uthman (RA) and Her Motivations

Aisha (RA) was well aware of the Prophet’s (SAW) deep love and respect for Uthman (RA). She narrated a hadith illustrating the Prophet’s (SAW) special regard for Uthman (RA):

Hadith about Uthman’s (RA) virtues:
- Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) was lying down with his thighs or calves exposed when Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) entered without causing him to change his position. However, when Uthman (RA) entered, the Prophet (SAW) sat up and straightened his clothing, explaining later that he should be shy of a man around whom even the angels are shy (Muslim).

Aisha’s (RA) insistence on avenging Uthman’s (RA) murder was driven by her respect for him and her belief in justice. She was not alone in this stance; prominent companions like Talha (RA) and Zubair (RA) shared her view, as did Hafsa (RA), another wife of the Prophet (SAW). It is illogical to single out Aisha (RA) and accuse her of jealousy-driven motives while ignoring the collective stance of these respected companions.

Third: Respect and Unity Among Companions

The differences between Aisha (RA) and Ali (RA) were rooted in their interpretations of how best to serve justice and maintain Islamic unity. Both were motivated by their sincere desire to do what they believed was right in the sight of Allah. Despite their differences, they maintained mutual respect and acknowledged each other’s high status in Islam.

Prophet’s (SAW) advice:
- The Prophet (SAW) warned against insulting his companions, emphasizing their unmatched contributions to Islam. He said, “Do not insult/blaspheme my companions, for by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, if one of you spend the like of the mountain of Uhud in gold (in Allah’s way) you would not equal their support, or not even half of their support” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Reconciliation between Aisha (RA) and Ali (RA):
- After the Battle of the Camel, both Aisha (RA) and Ali (RA) demonstrated respect and forgiveness towards each other. Aisha (RA) acknowledged that there was no enmity between them, and Ali (RA) affirmed her esteemed status as the Prophet’s (SAW) wife (Muslim).

In conclusion, the accusations against Aisha (RA) of jealousy and malice towards Ali (RA) are unfounded and contradicted by numerous hadiths and historical accounts. Both Aisha (RA) and Ali (RA) acted out of their sincere beliefs and commitment to Islam, and their mutual respect and reconciliation serve as a testament to their noble characters. It is essential to approach their stories with respect and acknowledge their immense contributions to the Islamic faith.

Her Death, May Allah Be Pleased With Her

Aisha (RA) passed away on the night of Tuesday, 17th Ramadan, in the year 57 After Hijra (678 CE). At the time of her death, she was sixty-six years old, and Muawiya (RA) was the Caliph of the Muslims. Aisha (RA) was buried in the cemetery of Al-Baqi in Medina, alongside other noble figures of Islam.

Her funeral was attended by many of the Prophet’s (SAW) wives and companions who were still alive. Her passing marked the end of a life that was characterized by devotion, knowledge, and enthusiasm for Islam. Her contributions to the preservation and transmission of Hadith and her role in early Islamic history remain significant to this day.

May Allah be pleased with her, grant her the highest place in Jannah, and allow us to benefit from her example and wisdom.