37 Facts About Aisha

Aisha had an important role in early Islamic history, both during Muhammad's life and after his death.

In Sunni tradition, Aisha is portrayed as scholarly, intelligent and inquisitive.

Aisha contributed to the spread of Muhammad's message and served the Muslim community for 44 years after his death.

Aisha narrated 2,210 hadiths throughout her life, not just on matters related to Muhammad's private life, but on topics such as inheritance, pilgrimage, prayer, and eschatology.

Aisha played a leading role in opposing some policies of the third caliph Uthman, though she opposed those responsible for his assassination.

Aisha refused to recognize Uthman's successor Ali and joined al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam and Talha ibn Ubayd Allah.

Aisha was defeated in the Battle of the Camel during the First Fitna, after which she retired in Medina, became reconciled to Ali and did not oppose caliph Mu'awiya.

Aisha participated in the Battle of the Camel by giving speeches and leading troops on the back of her camel.

In Sunni Islam, Aisha is viewed as a leading Islamic scholar and a teacher of several companions and the.

Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr and Umm Ruman, two of Muhammad's most trusted companions.

Some classical sources converge on Aisha being six or seven years old at the time of her marriage, which followed a failed engagement with another man, and nine at the consummation.

Aisha later concluded that if the dreams were from God, they would come true.

All extant hadiths agree that Aisha was married to Muhammad in Mecca, but the marriage was consummated only in the month of Shawwal after his hijrah to Medina.

Some classical sources have Aisha speak of the marriage to have been executed in Medina itself without reference to any delay.

Aisha's age did not interest later Muslim scholars either, and went unremarked-upon even by medieval and early-modern Christian polemicists.

When Muhammad and his followers carried out a raid on the Banu Mustaliq tribe, he brought along Aisha, who was 13 years old at the time.

Aisha was carried in a closed litter on the back of a camel.

Aisha recounted that when the raiding party was resting at night on the way home to Medina from the successful operation, she went out to relieve herself.

Aisha related that Safwan ibn Muattal, a young Muslim from the raiding party, had lagged behind for some reason.

On his solo return journey to Medina, he came across Aisha sleeping on the ground by herself.

Aisha addressed her, let her ride on his camel while he guided it, and escorted her home to Medina.

Aisha only learned of the rumor some three weeks later when Umm Mistah told her on their way back from defecating in an open field at night, as was customary for Muslim women at that time.

Muhammad, despite his fondness for Aisha, was unsure of her innocence.

Aisha asked Usama ibn Zayd and Ali for their opinions.

Aisha told Muhammad that she could find no better parallel for her current situation than that of Joseph's father, who had endured disbelief despite telling the truth and had no other choice but to remain patient.

Aisha became involved in the politics of early Islam and the first three caliphate reigns: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman.

Aisha garnered more special privileges in the Islamic community for being known as both a wife of Muhammad and the daughter of the first caliph.

The battle is known as the Battle of the Camel, after the fact that Aisha directed her forces from a howdah on the back of a large camel.

Aisha's forces were defeated and an estimated 10,000 Muslims were killed in the battle, considered the first engagement where Muslims fought Muslims.

Aisha sent her back to Medina under military escort headed by her brother Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, one of Ali's commanders.

Aisha subsequently retired to Medina with no more interference with the affairs of the state.

Aisha's marriage has given her significance among many within Islamic culture, becoming known as the most learned woman of her time.

Aisha expressed herself as a role model to women, which can be seen within some traditions attributed to her.

The traditions regarding Aisha habitually opposed ideas unfavorable to women in efforts to elicit social change.

Privately, Aisha continued influencing those intertwined in the Islamic political sphere.

Aisha was considered to be the embodiment of proper rituals while partaking in the pilgrimage to Mecca, a journey she made with several groups of women.

Aisha died at her home in Medina on 17 Ramadan 58 AH.