It can be especially important to look to the lives of the honorable and honored wives of the Prophet (PBUH) to understand that they too were human beings who lived, ate, laughed and struggled to please Allah (SWT). After the Prophet, can there be a better example for us than the mothers of the believers who were all promised paradise?.

In order to find out if our mothers were funny, sensitive, outgoing, introspective, self-doubting, or fearless, we take a look at Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).Aisha, was the most influential for her role as wife, and her political influence following Prophet's death. Many modern Muslim women look to Aisha for influence and guidance. Through this role as wife and public political figure, Aisha has circumscribed her prominence in Islamic history.

Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.) was born in Makkah in 613 or early 614 CE, three or four years after Messenger of Allah's (S.A.W.) prophet-hood. Her mother was Umm Roman Zainab (R.A.) and her father was Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.), two of the most trusted Companions of Prophet (S.A.W.). There is little known about Aisha's (R.A.) childhood years.

Aisha (R.A.) was third and youngest wife

of Prophet (S.A.W.). She showed the world how the woman could be more knowledgeable than men, politician or warrior fourteen centuries ago. She had a brilliant mind and a remarkable memory. She contributed to the spread of Prophet's (S.A.W.) message and served the Muslim community for 44 years after the death of Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.). The story of Aisha bint Abu Bakr (may God be pleased with her) is one of divinity, fortitude, knowledge and love. She contributed more than 2,000 hadith (sayings of the Prophet) to mankind- and is one of the most extraordinary figures in Islamic history.

She was not a university graduate and did not study at the hands of orientalists or westernists.Rather she apprenticed and graduated in the prophetic school, the school of faith and knights. From the tender years of her age the shiekh and the most pious of Muslims , her father Abu Bakr aSidiq brought her up. Then the Prophet (pbuh) the best and the most honorable creature look after her when she was a youth. Therefore, she aquired a great deal of knowledge that was transmitted over the centuries.

What she left of literature or legal opinions is now studied in many universities all over the world. Further her complete works could be points of study for any one who is interested in the Arab and Muslim history.

As narrated by Aisha bint Abu Bakr (R.A.), who said:

'Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) said (to me), "You were shown to me twice in (my) dream. Behold, a man (Angel) was carrying you in a silken piece of cloth and said to me, "She is your wife, so uncover her,' and behold, it was you. I would then say (to myself), 'If this is from Allah, then it must happen. " ' (Sahih Bukhari: 7011)

It shows that Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) married her according to Allah's command. He (pbuh) betrothed her and Sawda at the same time but he married the latter who stayed with him for three years until he got married to , Aisha in Shawwal after the battle of Badr. The young bride, then, moved to the new house of the Prophet, which consisted of a room beside the mosque and was built of clay and palmtrees. The room was furnished with a mattress of palm-leaves beneath which there was nothing but a mat. As for the door it was just a curtain of hair. In such a modest room 'Aisha started her marital life which became the speech of the world.

As a wife of the Prophet (pbuh),

'Aisha adopted a great position. She became a model for all women anywhere and in any time she was an ideal wife. She relieved the Prophet's grief when suffering the hardships of life and the da' wah.

She endured poverty and hunger with the Prophet (pbuh). It is related that they spent two or three months without cooking. All what they feed on were just dates and water.

Aisha prayed with the Messenger himself, learning Islam from his most intimate and personal moments. She was in attendance at his famous last sermon. Graced with eidetic memory, she was a wealth of knowledge issuing justice so squarely- it didn't matter who it was for or against. She even issued fatwas (rulings on dubious matters)

Poetic and superbly eloquent, scholars clamored to attend Aisha's lectures. She was a teacher like no other teacher - with a God given gift for speaking.

She was an ideal wife who was interested in learning from the Prophet (pbuh). Therefore, she became so knowledgeable that she was able to teach men and was a source of authorization and

documentation in hadith transmission, and sacred law.

Az-Aubairi said, "If we compared' Aisha's knowledge to all women, 'Aisha's would surpass them. Hisham Ibn Urwa said, I have never seen any one who could have knowledge of an ayah (a Qur'anic verse), an obligatory act, a Sunna act, poetry, history, lineage, judgement, or medicine better than 'Aisha. I asked her, "What about medicine? How did you learn it, aunt?" She answered, "When I was sick, the Prophet prescribe (treatment) for me as did he when the people became ill. I also heard the people prescribing treatment to each other. Thereby I memorized such prescriptions.

Once, Masruq was asked, "Did' Aisha perfect the obligatory acts." He answered, "By Allah, I have seen the great prophetic companions asking her about the obligatory acts."

Yet, she (may Allah be pleased with her) was jealous. She was the most jealous wife of the Prophet (pbuh). This can be the nature of the woman; to be jealous of other wives. But such jealousy had never led her to hurt any other wife.

She loved him so much; she wanted him all to herself. It was a personal struggle for her to relinquish him to his other wives (who he was fair in dividing his time for) and to the people. Aisha shared tender moments with her husband and they lovingly teased each other. She even harbored some jealousy of her husband's love for his first wife, Khadija, with good reason. Khadija was his ultimate love because of how she was the only person he could rely on during his darkest days. His love for Aisha, however, was so deep- it made him truly happy. The Prophet died on Aisha's bosom. Upon his death, Aisha mourned intensely for her loss.

A group of 'munafiqs' (hypocrites), who seemed to be Muslim but in fact were not, always looked for the things/incidents to disturb the life of Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) and his companions on every possible occasion. They could even dare to insult and malign his clean private life.

The Incident of Ifk is the slander by Abdullah bin Ubai, the leader of the hypocrites, against Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.). When the march for return from Banu Mustaliq was ordered, Aisha (R.A.) was not in her tent, having gone to search for a necklace she had dropped (which was given to her by her Mother). As the chamber, in which she was travelling, was veiled and her absence was not noticed until the army reached the next stop for rest. When Aisha (R.A.) found that the army convoy had gone, she stayed there and sat down to rest, hoping that someone would come back to fetch her when her absence was noticed. It was night and she fell asleep. Next morning, she was found by Safwan ibn Al-Muattal (R.A.), who always stayed behind the army and checked if there was anything left behind and then took those things to the army. He put her on his camel while leading the camel on foot and started to walk quickly to catch up with the army. They could not catch up with the soldiers for a long time.

Finally, Safwan (R.A.) brought her back to Prophet (S.A.W.) at the army's next camp. This presented an occasion to the Prophet's (S.A.W.) enemies to raise a malicious scandal against Aisha (R.A.) 'Mother of Believers'. Abdullah ibn Ubai, along with other hypocrites, wanted to make use of this simple incident. He expressed his evil intention by saying, "By God, neither Aisha nor Sawfan will be saved from the punishment." He uttered many other mean sentences. He spread false rumor among the soldiers of the army and the army was shaken up by the rumor.

When army and convoy reached Madinah, Aisha (R.A.) fell terribly sick with fever. Aisha (R.A.) was in extreme pain and anguish for an entire month because of the slander that was spread about her. Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) and Aisha's (R.A.) parents also heard about the event but they never told her anything.

In fact, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) knew very well that Aisha (R.A.), his wife, was free from such slander. However, he (S.A.W.) was depressed that such false, sly and planned slander spread among people. The speech that he made in the mosque expressed it clearly:

"O Muslims! Who will help me against the man who has harmed me by slandering my wife? By Allah, I find nothing in my wife but goodness and the person whom the people have mentioned in this connection is thoroughly a pious person." [Sahih Muslim: 2770 (a)]

Aisha (R.A.) was neither afraid nor worried about these rumors. She (R.A.) knew that she was innocent and that Allah would not treat her unjustly. Her parents were very scared because they were worried that the rumors would be confirmed by Allah. [Ref. Sahih Muslim: 2770 (a)]

The Prophet (S.A.W.) showed the signs of receiving revelation like sweating and he (S.A.W.) began to sweat because of the burden of words of Allah as they descended upon him even during the winter season and there fell the drops of his sweat like silvery beads. When the state of revelation ended, the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) was smiling happily.

He (S.A.W.) said to Aisha (R.A.), "Glad tidings O Aisha! Allah acquitted you and stated that you were free and away from that slander." [Ref. Sahih Muslim: 2770 (a)]

Allah clearly declared in the verses of Quran (Surah Nur-24: Verses 11-20) that Aisha (R.A.) was innocent. Thus, Allah told His Messenger (S.A.W.) in these verses that what was said about Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.) was nothing but slander.

Once Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A.) was asked about the interpretation of the verses related to Aisha (R.A.), he explained them as follows:

"Allah acquitted four people of four things and freed them from the slanders. One of them was Aisha bint Abi Bakr (R.A.) through the magnificent verses of the glorious Quran, which will be preserved until the Doomsday; this last acquittal has had no match. Look and see the difference between this acquittal and the others."

Her parents were overpowered by a proud sense of relief; pride that their daughter had been honored with a Quranic revelation, and relief that she was acquitted of any wrongdoing. Aisha (R.A.) was grateful to Allah for He had revealed Quranic verses in her honor and these would be recited until the Day of Judgment.

As per different Islamic sources, all of Aisha's (R.A.) accusers were subjected to punishments of 80 lashes.

During the Prophet's illness, after returning from the farewell pilgrimage he felt that he was about to die. It is narrated that when the prophet was being carried to spend his nights with his wives in turns, he would ask, where should I go tomorrow'? Where should I go tomorrow? (hoping to be 'Ashah' s turn). Then, the mothers of the faithful offered, pleasantly, their turns to 'Aisha to be treated where he liked.

They said, O Messenger of Allah, we gave our turns to 'Aisha.The Prophet (pbuh), then moved to 'Aisha's home who took care of him day and night. She would like to sacrifice herself for him as saying "I sacrifice you with my father and mother, O Messenger

of Allah." At the last moment of the Prophet's life, his head was placed between Aisha' s chest and her neck.

She said, "The Prophet (pbuh) died in the night of my usual turn at my house. Allah took him unto Him while his head was between my chest and my neck and his saliva was mixed with my saliva." At this moment, 'Abudur-Rahan Ibn Abi Bakr entered holding a soft siwak (tooth stick). The prophet looked at the siwak. I thought that he wished to brush his teeth with it. I took the siwak, chewed and then perfumed it. Then I gave it to the prophet who in turn brushed his teeth very well. As he retumed it back, his hand fell down.

I began to supplicate Allah with a du'a often said by Jibreel and also by the prophet during his illness. However, the Prophet did not supplicate Allah with this du'a in this time. He then looked skyward and said (ar-Rafeeq al-' Ala) the heavens. Then he died. Praise be to Allah who mixed my saliva with his at the last moment of the Prophet' s life.

After Messenger of Allah's (S.A.W.) death, which ended their fourteen-year long marriage, Aisha (R.A.) lived, as per different sources, 47-48 more years, mostly in Madinah. Much of her time was spent learning and acquiring knowledge of the Quran and the Sunnah. Aisha (R.A.) was one of three wives of the Prophet (S.A.W.) who was 'Hafiza' of Quran (memorizer of Quran). The other two 'Hafiza' are Hafsa bint Umar (R.A.) and Umm Salama (R.A.).

Due to her knowledge of Quran and Sunnah/Hadith, Aisha (R.A.) became involved in the politics of early Islam and the first three caliphate reigns. During a time in Islam when women were not expected, or wanted, to contribute outside the household, Aisha delivered public speeches, became directly involved in war and even battles, and helped both men and women to understand the practices of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.).

During Caliphate of her father Abu Bakr Siddiq (R.A.), Aisha (R.A.) was honored with titles 'Al-Siddiqa bint Al-Siddiq' (the truthful woman, daughter of the truthful man).

During Caliphate of Umar Ibn Khattab (R.A.), Aisha (R.A.) continued to play the role of a consultant in political matters.

During Caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (R.A.), Aisha (R.A.) had little involvement with him for the first couple years but eventually she found a way into the politics of his reign.

During the Caliphate of Ali ibn Talib (R.A.), Aisha (R.A.) retired from her public role in politics and became a teacher in Madinah.

Her life is proof of Islam's progressive stance on women. She was a prominent figure who challenged the prevalent stereotypes and taboos of society. She is proof that women share egalitarian rights in Islam. Her life ascertains that Islam does not discriminate between sexes, nor does it mandate marginalisation of women. A wife, stateswoman, scholar and an enlightened thinker; she was an astute woman who exhibited exemplary moral qualities and became one of the most influential persons of the Islamic history.

Aisha spent her entire life as a champion for Islam. She lived a highly spiritual life knowing she was an example to mankind with the quest to reunite with her husband in the afterlife. Her days were spent in charity and fast, living modestly while spreading knowledge at every turn. People of all walks of life turned to her for advice all throughout her lifetime. Aisha remains a shining example in Islamic history, a gift to mankind.

Aisha (R.A.) died at her home in Madinah on 17 Ramadan 58 A.H. She was 66-67 years old. She was buried in 'Jannat-ul-Baqi', the graveyard in Madinah (next to Prophet's Mosque). Abu Hurairah (R.A.) led her funeral prayers.

May Allah have mercy and be pleased with her.