Aisha Bint Abi Bakr

The Name of Lady Aisha and her Kunya (nickname)

Lady Aisha was Aisha bint Abdullah bin Abi Quhafah bin Uthman bin Amir bin Kaab bin Qanana. She was the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the daughter of the Messenger's Caliph, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, and her mother was Umm Ruman bint Amir Al-Kinaniya.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was one of the most knowledgeable women of the Ummah (Muslim community). She migrated to Medina with her parents, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) married her after the death of his first wife, Lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. May Allah be pleased with her. Aisha was also known as "Umm Abdullah," a nickname derived from her nephew, Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, whom she helped raise. When he was born, she placed some chewed date (rutab) into his mouth, making it the first thing he consumed.

It is also said that Aisha came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked for a kunya like other women. The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave her the kunya "Umm Abdullah," referring to her nephew, Abdullah bin Az-Zubair. This was done to ease her feelings, and she accepted it willingly. According to Urwa, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "O Messenger of Allah, all my companions have kunyas". He replied, "Then choose the kunya of your son, Abdullah bin Az-Zubair.

The Early Life of Lady Aisha

Lady Aisha, the Mother of the Believers, was born in Mecca, several years after the start of the prophethood, around four or five years later. She was eight years younger than Lady Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet. Aisha grew up in a household deeply rooted in the Islamic faith and was raised by believing parents. It is well-known that Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was among the first women to embrace Islam. She adorned herself with exemplary manners and morals, as she was brought up in a home characterized by virtues and nobility.

During her childhood years, the Islamic call faced its most challenging stages, with Muslims enduring severe persecution. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, recalled the most difficult situations she witnessed with her father, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, in their efforts to preserve their faith. One of these moments was when they attempted to migrate from Mecca to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), and it was a particularly trying period in her life.

Furthermore, Aisha was known for her playful and active nature during her childhood. At the age of six, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, proposed to her on behalf of her father, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq. They were married when she was nine years old. Even after her marriage to the Prophet, she continued to engage in play for a period of time. The Prophet, peace be upon him, appreciated her youthful spirit and would invite her young friends to join in her playtime activities.

The Marriage of Lady Aisha to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him)

Lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid passed away three years before the Hijrah (migration to Medina), and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) deeply grieved her loss. Khawla bint Hakim approached him and proposed marriage to him on behalf of either a virgin (bikr) or a non-virgin (thayyib). The Prophet (peace be upon him) inquired about both options, and Khawla informed him that the virgin was Aisha, the daughter of his dear friend Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, and the non-virgin was Sawda bint Zam'a. The Prophet (peace be upon him) then asked her to go to Abu Bakr's house and propose to Aisha on his behalf.

Two years after the death of Lady Khadijah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) married Aisha, the Mother of the Believers. This marriage was divinely ordained, as the Prophet had seen Aisha in two separate dreams, one of which featured an angel presenting her to him wrapped in a silk cloth. When he inquired about her, he was told that she would be his wife. The Prophet (peace be upon him) married Aisha at a young age with the intention of strengthening the bond between prophethood and the caliphate. The warm climate of the Arabian Peninsula also played a role in favoring early marriages, as it facilitated early physical maturity in girls.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) married Aisha in the month of Shawwal, twelve months before the Hijrah, when she was six years old. However, the marriage was consummated in the second year after the Hijrah when Aisha was nine years old. She herself later mentioned, "The Messenger of Allah married me when I was six years old, and consummated the marriage with me when I was nine years old".

The Virtues and Merits of Lady Aisha

The wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) hold numerous virtues and merits. They are honored as the wives of the Seal of the Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and they are members of his pure and noble household. They are known for their purity, modesty, and innocence from any wrongdoing against their honor. Among these esteemed wives is Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who possessed many virtues, including:

1. The Best Women of All Time: Lady Aisha is considered one of the best women in the entire world, distinguished in honor, virtue, and elevated status.
2. Wife of the Best of Mankind: She was the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the best of all human beings, making her honored and blessed by virtue of this marriage.
3. Mother of the Believers: Aisha held the esteemed title of being the mother of all believers. Allah honored her with the status of motherhood for all the believers, and she is to be respected and revered as such.
4. Wife in this World and the Hereafter: Aisha, as the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), holds a unique position, not only in this world but also in the Hereafter, as her virtuous status and rewards extend to both realms.

Lady Aisha's life and character continue to serve as an inspiration for Muslims, and her knowledge and wisdom have contributed significantly to Islamic scholarship. Her role as a wife, mother, and scholar exemplifies the multifaceted contributions and virtues of women in Islam.

The Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Knowledge, and Narrations of Lady Aisha

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) held a prominent and elevated position, particularly in the field of Hadith narration. She was known for her quick understanding, intelligence, and sharp wit. Her knowledge extended beyond mere words and phrases. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari once said, "Whenever we encountered a difficult matter or had a question about a Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we asked Aisha, and we invariably found her to possess knowledge about it".

Aisha's collection of Hadith narrations, found in various Hadith books and compilations, is extensive. Her narrations can be found in Al-Musnad, a collection of Hadiths, which contains two thousand two hundred and ten narrations attributed to her. She has a total of one hundred and seventy-four Hadiths that have been agreed upon as authentic by both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Sahih al-Bukhari, in particular, includes fifty-four Hadiths that are unique to her, while Sahih Muslim includes sixty-nine unique Hadiths.

Aisha's knowledge and understanding made her a reliable reference for Muslims when questions arose about matters related to the Quran, Hadith, jurisprudence (Fiqh), and religious obligations. Believers often sought her guidance and found clear and convincing answers to their inquiries in her wisdom and knowledge. Her contributions to Islamic scholarship, particularly in the realm of Hadith and Fiqh, remain highly regarded and continue to be a valuable resource for Muslims seeking guidance in matters of religion.

The Courage and Jihad of Lady Aisha

Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was known for her exceptional courage. She had a steadfast heart and would walk to Al-Baqi Cemetery at night without fear. She would also participate in battles of the Prophet and display acts of bravery. In the Battle of Uhud, when confusion spread among the Muslim ranks, she went to tend to the wounded and provide them with water.

During the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwat al-Khandaq), she descended from the fortifications where the Prophet (peace be upon him) had placed the women and took her place on the front lines. Additionally, in the Battle of the Camel (Ghazwat al-Jamal), she actively engaged with the troops and forces in an exemplary manner. These actions highlight and confirm her courage and determination.

Lady Aisha's willingness to participate in these events and her presence on the front lines demonstrate her commitment to the defense of Islam and the Muslim community. Her bravery serves as an inspiring example of a strong and fearless woman who played an active role in the early days of Islam.

The Prophet's Praise and Love for Lady Aisha

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had an intense and deep love for Lady Aisha. He passed away in her room and was buried in her house. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) recounted that during his illness, the Prophet (peace be upon him) requested the tooth stick (Siwak) from her. It was initially hard, so she softened it for him and then placed it in his mouth. He also asked his wives for permission to stay in Aisha's house during his illness, and they granted him permission.

As a sign of affection, it was a common practice among loved ones in the past to affectionately modify the names of those they cared about. Consequently, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would call Lady Aisha by the endearing names "Aa'ish" or "Aawish".

In the eleventh year of the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began to show signs of illness and fatigue. His condition deteriorated, and he eventually passed away. At the time of his death, Lady Aisha was only eighteen years old. Her deep love for the Prophet, as well as his affection and closeness to her, are well-documented in Islamic history and serve as a beautiful example of the bond between husband and wife in Islam.

Death of Lady

After the Battle of the Camel, Aisha returned home and stayed there until her death on the night of Tuesday, 17th of Ramadan, 57 AH (Hijri). Some say 58 AH, and others say 59 AH. Abu Huraira prayed over her after the Witr prayer. Abdullah and Urwah, the sons of her sister Asma bint Abu Bakr, along with Qasim and Abdullah, the sons of Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr and Abdullah ibn Abdur Rahman ibn Abu Bakr, descended into her grave. She was buried in al-Baqi.