32 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 and inquisitive.

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

Aisha is known for narrating 2,210 hadiths, not just on matters related to Muhammad's private life, but on topics such as inheritance, pilgrimage, and eschatology.

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

Aisha ended up losing the battle, but her involvement and determination left a lasting impression.

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

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 referencing to any delay.

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

The story of the accusation of adultery levied against Aisha, known as the Event of Ifk, can be traced to surah An-Nur of the Qur'an.

Aisha's slaves mounted the howdah and prepared it for travel without noticing any difference in weight without Aisha's presence.

Aisha remained at the camp until the next morning, when Safwan ibn al-Mu'attal, a nomad and member of Muhammad's army, found her and brought her back to Muhammad at the army's next camp.

Aisha was still sitting in her house when he announced that he had received a revelation from God confirming Aisha's innocence.

Aisha was one of three wives who memorized the Qur'an.

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.

Aisha had little involvement with 'Uthman for the first couple years, but eventually, she found a way into the politics of his reign.

Aisha eventually grew to despise 'Uthman, and many are unsure of what specifically triggered her eventual opposition towards him.

Aisha's forces are known to have tortured and imprisoned Uthman ibn Hunaif a Sahabi and the governor of Basra appointed by Ali.

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.

Aisha was given the title al-Siddiqah, meaning 'the one who affirms the truth'.

Aisha was known for establishing the first madrasa for women in her home.

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.