Aisha, the daughter of the first Caliph, belonged to the Banu Taym clan of the Quraysh tribe. Her mother was named Umm Ruman, and she was born in Mecca in the fourth year after the Prophet’s mission (the fourth year of Prophethood).
Who is Aisha?
Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr (who died in 58 AH), was the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). After the death of Khadijah al-Kubra and after Sawda, she married the Prophet. Her nickname was Umm Abdullah, named after Abdullah ibn Zubair, the son of her sister Asma. The Prophet married her when she was six or seven years old, and after the Hijra (migration), when she was nine years old, he brought her to his home. Aisha migrated with her mother and sister to Medina shortly after the Prophet’s migration. She was one of the intelligent, eloquent, and articulate women and a great narrator of hadith. Around 2,210 hadiths have been narrated from her in Sunni collections. Many men and women heard and transmitted hadiths from her. Her speeches in Mecca and Basra encouraging people to participate in the Battle of the Camel, and their amazing effects, are proof of her exceptional eloquence and articulation.
During the life of the Prophet, she did not play a political role, but after his death, during the caliphates of her father Abu Bakr, Umar, and the early caliphate of Uthman, she was aligned with the government and was one of its strong supporters. Toward the end of Uthman’s caliphate, she opposed him and incited people against him. After Uthman was killed and Imam Ali became caliph, she claimed that Uthman had repented and was unjustly killed and took up opposition against the government. Supported by Talha, Zubair, and the Umayyads, she led the Battle of the Camel. She died in the year 57 or 58 AH and, according to her will, was buried in Baqi cemetery. Abu Huraira, the successor of Marwan as governor of Medina, led her funeral prayer.
Aisha’s Age at Marriage
There are differing views about her age at marriage, ranging from 6 to 18 years old. According to widely accepted historical sources, Aisha was about six or seven years old at the time of marriage, but her consummation happened after the migration to Medina and after the Battle of Badr, when she was older than nine. Based on this, she lived in the Prophet’s house for eight years and five months. However, some researchers believe that analysis of various historical reports shows she was 18 at the time of marriage. They consider her one of the earliest Muslims and a child at the start of the Prophet’s mission. They argue that if she was at least seven at the time of the mission, then at marriage she would be 17 years old. Seyyed Ja’far Morteza Ameli rejects the lower age theory and considers her age at marriage to be between 13 and 17. He cites Ibn Ishaq as stating she was among the first 18 Muslims at the start of the mission, meaning she was the nineteenth to accept Islam. Ameli explains that if she was seven at the beginning of the mission, she would be 17 at marriage and 20 at migration, unless she was younger when she accepted Islam.
Accusation of Adultery Against Aisha
According to Sunni views, in 627 AD, Aisha accompanied the Prophet during the Battle of Banu Mustaliq but got separated from the group while searching for a lost necklace. When Safwan ibn Mu’attal, a soldier of the Prophet, found her and returned her to Medina, some accused Aisha and Safwan of adultery. Hassan ibn Thabit, Usama ibn Zaid, and others defended her. Ali ibn Abi Talib told the Prophet: "There are many women; you can easily choose another instead of her." The Prophet went to speak directly with Aisha about the rumors. While still in her house, it was revealed to him by divine revelation that Aisha was innocent. The accusers were punished with 80 lashes. The 24th chapter of the Quran, Surah An-Nur, details Islamic laws and punishments regarding adultery and false accusations.
Later Life and Death
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was with Aisha during his final illness and died in her house. When he died in 632 CE, Aisha was about 18 years old, although some sources claim she was older. She lived the rest of her life in Medina engaged in charity, transmitting hadiths, and interpreting the Quran.
Her father, Abu Bakr, was the first caliph after the Prophet and was succeeded by Umar after two years. During the caliphate of Uthman, Aisha was involved in opposition movements, though not aligned with those who assassinated him nor with Ali’s party. During Imam Ali’s caliphate, she sought to avenge Uthman’s death, which led her to the Battle of the Camel, where she led troops from behind a camel. Although she was defeated, her determination left a lasting impact. Afterward, she lived quietly in Medina for over twenty years, avoiding politics, reconciling with Ali, and not opposing Caliph Muawiya.
Aisha’s Political Life
Aisha was involved in many political events after the Prophet’s death. She played a role in hadith transmission supporting the first three caliphs, encouraging allegiance to Abu Bakr. She reported that as the Prophet’s illness worsened, he told Abdul Rahman, Abu Bakr’s son, to bring a tablet to write instructions about Abu Bakr so no disputes would arise. But as Abdul Rahman went to do this, the Prophet said God and believers would never allow disputes regarding Abu Bakr. She also recounted that the Prophet asked her to summon her father and brother to write a will, fearing disputes over leadership.
Aisha also encouraged Umar to appoint a successor before his death. When Umar felt his death approaching, he sent his son Abdullah to Aisha, asking for her permission to bury him near the Prophet. She agreed and took pride in this favor, sending greetings back and urging Umar not to leave the Muslim community leaderless.
Death of Aisha
Aisha died on the 17th of Ramadan, 58 AH (July 16, 678 CE), in her home in Medina at the age of 67. Some say she was killed by Muawiya. Abu Huraira led her funeral prayer after the night prayer and she was buried in the Baqi cemetery.
