Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Abu Bakr, the Prophet's (ﷺ) closest friend, and one of the Prophet's (ﷺ) wives. The Qur'an calls the Prophet's (ﷺ) wives the mothers of the believers.
After his death she became one of the main teachers of Islam. Much of what Muslims know about his life at home comes from her. This guide is about her faith, and what her journey can teach us today.
At a glance
- The daughter of Abu Bakr, she grew up in a home that was Muslim for as long as she could remember.
- Asked who was dearest to him, the Prophet (ﷺ) named Aisha.
- The angel Jibril (Gabriel) sent her his greeting of peace.
- Verses of the Qur'an came down to clear her name of a cruel lie.
- The Prophet (ﷺ) died in her home, with his head resting on her.
- For nearly fifty years after him she taught the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
- c. 614
Born in Mecca, the daughter of Abu Bakr. Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Mecca
Her parents are Muslims for as long as she can remember, and the Prophet (ﷺ) visits their home every morning and evening. Sahih al-Bukhari 3905
- After 622
In Medina she joins the Prophet's (ﷺ) household. Encyclopaedia Britannica
- c. 627
Verses of Surat al-Nur declare her innocent of a lie spread about her. Sahih al-Bukhari 4750Qur’an 24:11Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 632
The Prophet (ﷺ) dies in her home. Sahih al-Bukhari 4450
- 632–678
She teaches the Qur'an and the Sunnah in Medina for nearly fifty years. Encyclopaedia Britannica
- 678
She dies in Medina. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dates are in the Common Era. Early dates are approximate.
Born into faith
Aisha was born in Mecca a few years after the revelation began. Her father, Abu Bakr, was one of the first to believe. She later said she could not remember a time when her parents followed any religion but Islam. And she said the Prophet (ﷺ) came to their house every morning and every evening. Sahih al-Bukhari 3905Encyclopaedia Britannica
So Aisha grew up with the Qur'an. She later said that a verse of Surat al-Qamar came down in Mecca while she was a young girl at play. Sahih al-Bukhari 4876Qur’an 54:46
Dear to the Prophet (ﷺ)
In Medina, Aisha became one of the Prophet's (ﷺ) wives. Their life was simple. She said that two months could pass without a fire being lit to cook in the Prophet's (ﷺ) houses. They lived on dates and water. Encyclopaedia BritannicaSahih al-Bukhari 2567
A companion once asked the Prophet (ﷺ) who was the dearest of people to him. He named Aisha. Sahih al-Bukhari 3662
One day the Prophet (ﷺ) told her that the angel Jibril (Gabriel) was greeting her with peace. She returned the greeting, and said to the Prophet (ﷺ) that he could see what she could not. Sahih al-Bukhari 3768
He also said that revelation had come to him while he lay under her blanket, and with none of his other wives. Sahih al-Bukhari 3775
Then the Qur'an told the Prophet (ﷺ) to give his wives a free choice: the comforts of this world, or a life with him. He went to Aisha first. He told her not to rush, but to ask her parents. She said there was no need: she chose Allah (﷾), His Messenger (ﷺ) and the Home of the Hereafter. Sahih al-Bukhari 4786Qur’an 33:29
A lost necklace, and an easier way
On one journey Aisha lost a necklace. The Prophet (ﷺ) and the people with him stopped to look for it, in a place with no water. People complained to her father, and Abu Bakr scolded her. Sahih al-Bukhari 334
Then Allah (﷾) revealed the verses of tayammum: when there is no water for washing before prayer, a believer may use clean earth instead. A companion said this was not the first blessing to come through Abu Bakr's family. And when they moved her camel, the necklace was lying underneath it. Sahih al-Bukhari 334Qur’an 5:6Qur’an 4:43
Patience under a cruel lie
On another journey, Aisha went to look for a lost necklace, and the travellers left without her. A companion found her and brought her back. Then some people spread a lie about her. For a whole month no revelation came about it. Sahih al-Bukhari 4750Encyclopaedia Britannica
Aisha was ill, and heartbroken. She wept day and night. When at last she spoke, she said she could only answer as the father of the Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) had answered: Sahih al-Bukhari 4750
patience is most fitting: Against that which ye assert, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought
Then Allah (﷾) revealed verses of Surat al-Nur that declared her innocent. They taught the believers that they should never have believed such a lie, and that what seemed evil had brought good. Sahih al-Bukhari 4750Qur’an 24:11Qur’an 24:12
The Prophet's (ﷺ) last days
In his last illness the Prophet (ﷺ) asked to stay in Aisha's home, and his other wives agreed. He died there, with his head resting on her chest. Sahih al-Bukhari 4450Sahih al-Bukhari 4449
He had often said that no prophet dies before he is given the choice between this world and the next. In his last hours Aisha heard him recite the verse about being with those whom Allah (﷾) has blessed. Then she knew he had made his choice. Sahih al-Bukhari 4586Qur’an 4:69
A teacher for the believers
Aisha lived for nearly fifty years after the Prophet (ﷺ). She taught the Qur'an and the Sunnah in Medina, and people came to her from far away with their questions. About a sixth of the hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari come from her. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Much of what Muslims know comes from her. She told how the revelation began in the cave of Hira. She explained that the first parts of the Qur'an spoke of Paradise and the Fire, and that the rules on halal and haram came only after people had faith. Sahih al-Bukhari 3Sahih al-Bukhari 4993
She also told of his night prayers. He stood in prayer for so long that his feet became sore. When she asked why, since Allah (﷾) had forgiven him, he said he wanted to be a thankful servant. Sahih al-Bukhari 4837
Aisha died in Medina in 678, and she was buried there. Encyclopaedia Britannica
What we can learn
Aisha grew up with the Qur'an, held firm under a cruel lie, and spent her life teaching.
- Choose Allah (﷾) first. Offered the comforts of this world, she did not hesitate.
- Patience is most fitting. Under a lie she could not disprove, she left her case with Allah (﷾).
- Do not pass on what you have not checked. The Qur'an tells believers to reject a slander, not spread it.
- Good can come out of hardship. A lost necklace brought the believers an easier way to pray.
- Knowledge is for sharing. She spent half a century teaching what she had learned.