Aisha: Difference between revisions

The role 'A'isha played in stimulating a massive uprising against the caliphate of Imam 'Ali (a), which led to the [[Battle of the Camel]], was a huge indicator of her enmity towards him. Some writers from Ahl al-Sunnah believed her to be under the influence of instigative evil-doers and supposed her gathering of an army for [[Basrah]] to be for the revenge from 'Uthman's killers and not an act of opposition to Imam 'Ali (a). They considered this an error in [[ijtihad]] for which 'A'isha herself was later repentant.

'A'isha, who was amongst the opponents of 'Uthman and was present in [[Mecca]] at the time of Uthman's murder, on hearing the news of Imam 'Ali's [[caliphate]], remained in Mecca. After a while when [[Talha]] and [[Zubayr]] reached Mecca, the three after gathering an army of Arab tribes journeyed to Basrah and claimed to avenge the blood of 'Uthman. After conquering this city, they deployed their army against that of Imam Ali's. The battle that ensued thereafter was named the Battle of the Camel because of 'Aisha's presence in it as she sat on the top of a Camel. This was the first battle to take place between the Muslims themselves.

Some reports narrate 'A'isha's happiness upon Imam 'Ali's martyrdom. When she heard the news of his martyrdom, she threw her walking stick and sat peacefully in her seat resembling a wayfarer who finds pleasure upon returning home. [[Aba al-Faraj al-Isfahani|Aba al-Faraj]] even relates her [[Thankfulness prostration|prostrating in thanks]] on his martyrdom. Then, 'A'isha inquired about the killer of Imam 'Ali and upon learning that it was [[Ibn Muljim Moradi|Ibn Muljam]], she recited poetry in praise of him; it is even said that she named her slave Abd al-Rahman and the reason for this was her fondness for Ibn Muljim Moradi whose first name was Abd al-Rahman.

==='A'isha and Mu'awiyah===

In spite of reports of monetary gifts extended to 'Aisha by [[Mu'awiyah]] that exist in historic sources, 'Aaishah became an opponent and critic of Mu'awiyah during a part of his rule. She was particularly displeased with him when her brother [[Muhammad b. Abi Bakr]] was killed upon the command of Mu'awiyah. She also criticized him on killing [[Hujr b. 'Adi]], a companion of the Prophet. It is narrated that upon hearing the news of the arrest of Hujr b. 'Adi, she sent someone to Mu'awiyah to intercede for him, but this messenger reached [[Damascus]] when Hujr and his companions had already been martyred.

'A'isha died of a natural death in the year [[58]] AH at the age of 66 in Medina. [[Abu Huraira]] led her funeral prayer and she was buried in the [[Baqi' cemetery]]. However, some reports pronounce Mu'awiyah as the cause for her death. According to one narration, this incident took place in the Islamic month of [[Dhi l-Hijja]]. [[Al-A'amash al-Kufi]] has narrated that 'A'isha's death was attributed to Mu'awiyah.