Aisha: Difference between revisions

'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 b. al-'Awwam|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 Muljam al-Muradi|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.

In spite of reports of monetary gifts extended to 'Aisha by [[Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan|Mu'awiya]] that exist in historic sources, 'Aisha became an opponent and critic of Mu'awiya 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'awiya. 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'awiya to intercede for him, but this messenger reached [[Damascus]] when Hujr and his companions had already been martyred.

Amongst the issues that sustained the Shi'a's criticism of 'A'isha was her not allowing the burial of [[Imam al-Hasan]]'s body next to the grave of the Prophet (s). The resting place of the Prophet was in 'A'isha's house and after that, had been the burial place of the first two caliphs too. With the martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan (a), his brother [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] initially intended to bury him next to the grave of the Prophet (s) in accordance with his will; but 'A'isha, with the help of the governor of Medina, prevented its fulfillment. To avoid discord, Imam al-Husayn (a) resigned from it.

'A'isha died of a natural death in the year [[58]] AH at the age of 66 in Medina. [[Abu Hurayra]] 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.

'A'isha was amongst the most important narrators of the words and the life of the Prophet (s). The number of traditions related from her exceeds 2100. Parts of the reports narrated by her which are present in historic texts have been subject to research and criticism by the Shi'a researchers and academics.

[[Category:Wives of the Prophet (s)]]

[[Category:Nakithun]]

[[Category:Buried in al-Baqi cemetery]]