A'isha bint Abu Bakr: Background information when reading Every Rising Sun

A'isha bint Abu Bakr

This article relates to Every Rising Sun

In Jamila Ahmed's Every Rising Sun, Shaherazade remembers a story from the life of A'isha, third wife of the Prophet Muhammad. While traveling with her husband, she was separated from the group and became lost in the desert. Another man found her and helped her back to Medina, but she was unjustly accused of adultery as a result. Her name was only cleared due to a holy revelation. When Shaherazade finds herself in a similar situation, she defends herself by quoting a verse from the Quran that references A'isha's exoneration.

A'isha bint Abu Bakr was born in Mecca in the early 600s CE. Her father, Abu Bakr, was a friend and supporter of the Prophet Muhammad. She was betrothed and married to the Prophet at a young age, possibly as young as nine or as old as eighteen. She is believed to have been one of his favorite wives, perhaps second only to his first wife, Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who died before A'isha's marriage. Muhammad died in 632, leaving A'isha a widow. After his death, her father became the first caliph.

A'isha was part of the faction that opposed the third caliph, Uthman, but after he was murdered in 656, she was among those who believed the murderers should be brought to justice immediately, whereas Uthman's successor Ali prioritized a smooth transition of power. These disputes led her to join two Companions of the Prophet, Talhah and Zubayr, in an uprising against Ali. They captured the city of Basra, where they faced Ali. Negotiations almost succeeded in finding a peaceful resolution, but fighting broke out, resulting in the Battle of the Camel, where A'isha and her allies were defeated. This conflict was the final cause of the well-known split between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

After her defeat, A'isha returned to Medina, where she spent the rest of her life. A'isha had a significant impact on the development of Islam. Her religious knowledge was highly respected, and she issued legal opinions and was consulted for religious interpretations. She also narrated over two thousand hadith, which are the traditional sayings of the Prophet and guide both theological thought and daily practice on a wide range of issues. Her young age at marriage has led to modern controversy, but A'isha is also seen as an example of an early Muslim woman wielding social power and participating in public life.

An episode from the life of A'isha, from a nineteenth century manuscript of Hamla-i Haydari, a poetical account of the life of 'Ali by Bazil, courtesy of the British Library

Filed under People, Eras & Events

This "beyond the book article" relates to Every Rising Sun. It originally ran in September 2023 and has been updated for the July 2024 paperback edition. Go to magazine.