Aisha Research Task
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- Category: History: Religion
- Date Submitted: 08/02/2010 11:30 PM
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Aisha bint Abu Bakr – Assessment 4
Nature
Introduction
Aisha bint Abu Bakr was the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad, and is reported to have been his favourite (Darussalam, 2004). Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr; one of the Prophet’s first followers and closest companions, who became the first Caliph after his death. She was said to follow her father in accepting Islam at an early age, and is known for her extensive knowledge of the Qur’an, her transmission of much of the Hadith, and being a social and military leader of the early Islamic community.
Age at Marriage
There is much contention over the classification of the dates of Aisha’s birth and marriage. Generally Aisha’s birth year is given to be around 613 CE (King, 2010). However, this date is often calculated using the age at which she married Muhammad as a guide, which is highly controversial. The age at which she was engaged to Muhammad is given variously as ranging between six and twelve, while the age at which the marriage and its consummation occurred is debated to range from nine to the mid teenage years.
A Life of Poverty
Throughout her time as wife of the Prophet, also known as a “Mother of the Believers” (Darussalam, 2004), Aisha is reported to have lived in poverty. She is praised for the fact that she was the first among Muhammad’s wives to choose “Allah and His Messenger” when confronted by the decision given in Surah 33 of the Qur’an;
“O Prophet! Say to your wives: If you desire this world's life and its adornment, then come, I will give you a provision and allow you to depart a goodly departing. And if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the latter abode, then surely Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a mighty reward”.
Once making the choice, Aisha embraced this promise and was true to her word even after the Prophet’s death and distributed the riches she received to the poor (Hayward, 2007).
The Affair of the Slander
One of the most significant events...
Nature
Introduction
Aisha bint Abu Bakr was the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad, and is reported to have been his favourite (Darussalam, 2004). Aisha was the daughter of Abu Bakr; one of the Prophet’s first followers and closest companions, who became the first Caliph after his death. She was said to follow her father in accepting Islam at an early age, and is known for her extensive knowledge of the Qur’an, her transmission of much of the Hadith, and being a social and military leader of the early Islamic community.
Age at Marriage
There is much contention over the classification of the dates of Aisha’s birth and marriage. Generally Aisha’s birth year is given to be around 613 CE (King, 2010). However, this date is often calculated using the age at which she married Muhammad as a guide, which is highly controversial. The age at which she was engaged to Muhammad is given variously as ranging between six and twelve, while the age at which the marriage and its consummation occurred is debated to range from nine to the mid teenage years.
A Life of Poverty
Throughout her time as wife of the Prophet, also known as a “Mother of the Believers” (Darussalam, 2004), Aisha is reported to have lived in poverty. She is praised for the fact that she was the first among Muhammad’s wives to choose “Allah and His Messenger” when confronted by the decision given in Surah 33 of the Qur’an;
“O Prophet! Say to your wives: If you desire this world's life and its adornment, then come, I will give you a provision and allow you to depart a goodly departing. And if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the latter abode, then surely Allah has prepared for the doers of good among you a mighty reward”.
Once making the choice, Aisha embraced this promise and was true to her word even after the Prophet’s death and distributed the riches she received to the poor (Hayward, 2007).
The Affair of the Slander
One of the most significant events...