Aisha

Aisha bint Abu Bakr (612 - 678) (Arabic Transliteration: , also transcribed as A'ishah, Ayesha, 'A'isha, Aishah, or 'Aisha) was one of Muhammad's wives. In Islamic writings, her name is thus often prefixed by the title "Mother of the Believers" (Arabic: أمّ المؤمنين umm-al-mu'minīn), per the description of Muhammad's wives in the Qur'an.

According to Sunni beliefs, Aisha had an important role in early Islamic history, both during Muhammad's life and after his death. Regarded by many as his favorite wife, she was an active figure in numerous events and an important witness to many more.

Early life

Aisha was the daughter of Um Ruman and Abu Bakr of Mecca. Abu Bakr belonged to the Banu Taym sub-clan of the tribe of Quraysh.

Marriage to Muhammad

Khawlah bint Hakim suggested that Muhammad marry Aisha after the death of Muhammad's first wife (Khadijah bint Khuwaylid), after this, previous agreement regarding marriage of Aisha with Jubayr ibn Mut'im was put aside by common consent. British historian William Montgomery Watt suggests that Muhammad hoped to strengthen his ties with Abu Bakr;

According to the traditional sources, Aisha was six or seven years old when she was engaged to Muhammad and nine when the marriage took place. American historian Denise Spellberg states that "these specific references to the bride's age reinforce Aisha's pre-menarcheal status and, implicitly, her virginity."

Aisha stayed in her parents' home for several years until she joined Muhammad and the marriage was consummated. Most of the sources indicate that she was nine years old at the time, with the single exception of al-Tabari, who records that she was ten.

Status as "favorite wife"

Aisha is usually described as Muhammad's favorite wife, and it was in her company that Muhammad reportedly received the most revelations.

Accusation of adultery

In the event when Aisha was accused of adultery, Muhammad's adopted son Zayd ibn Harithah defended Aisha's reputation. Shortly after this, Muhammad announced that he had received a revelation from God confirming Aisha's innocence and directing that charges of adultery be supported by four eyewitnesses. These verses also rebuked Aisha's accusers, whom Muhammad ordered to receive forty lashes.

Story of the honey

Soon after the event of the honey which involved Aisha, Muhammad reported that he had received a revelation, in which he was told that he could eat anything permitted by God.

Some Sunni commentators on the Qur'an sometimes give this story as the "occasion of revelation" for Sura 66, which opens with the following verses: "Prophet, why do you prohibit that which God has made lawful for you, in seeking to please your wives? God is forgiving and merciful. God has given you absolution from such oaths."

Death of Muhammad

Aisha did not remarry after Muhammad's death because a passage in the Qur'an forbids any Muslim to marry a widow of Muhammad:

After Muhammad

Aisha's father becomes the first caliph

After Muhammad's death in 632, Aisha's father, Abu Bakr, became the first Sunni caliph, or leader of the Sunnis.

Battle of Bassorah

In 655, Uthman was murdered provoking the First Fitna.

Professor Leila Ahmed claims that it was during this engagement that Muslims fought Muslims for the first time, in which Aisha was one of the central figures.

Her respect as role model

Aisha became the most prominent of Muhammad’s wives and is revered as a role model by millions of women. American scholar Colin Turner suggests that such marriages were not seen as improper in historical context, and that individuals in such societies matured at an earlier age than in the modern West. In modern times, however, the issue of Muhammad marrying and having sexual relations with a girl so young has been used to criticize him, particularly in societies where child sexual abuse and related issues are considered serious crimes.

See also

First Muslim Dynasty

Muhammad's wives

List of persons related to Qur'anic verses

Sunni view of the Sahaba

The Jewel of Medina

Kamran Pasha

References

Further reading

Afshar, Haleh, Democracy and Islam, Hansard Society, 2006.

Barlas, Asma, Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur'an, pp. 125–6, University of Texas Press, 2002, ISBN 0292709048.

Guillaume, A., The Life of Muhammad, Oxford University Press, 1955

Rodinson, Maxime, Muhammad, 1980 Random House reprint of English translation

Spellberg, D.A., Politics, Gender, and the Islamic Past: the Legacy of A'isha bint Abi Bakr, Columbia University Press, 1994

Aisha bint Abi Bakr, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, Oxford University Press, 2000

Rizvi, Syed Saeed Akhtar, The Life of Muhammad The Prophet, Darul Tabligh North America, 1971.

Askri,Mortaza, 'Role of Ayesha in the History of Islam' (Translation), Ansarian publication, Iran

External links

Allama Habib-ur-Rahman Siddiqui Kandhalvi">"Age of Aisha" written by Allama Habib-ur-Rahman Siddiqui Kandhalvi

Hazrat Aisha's story in Tariq Jamil's Site

Category:678 deaths Category:Arab people Category:Islam and women Category:Muslim history Category:Wives of Muhammad Category:Women in Medieval warfare Category:Family of Abu Bakr