🌸 ʿĀYISHAH (عائشة‎): The Beloved Wife of Prophet Muḥammad and Mother of the Believers

Discover the life and legacy of ʿĀYISHAH (عائشة‎), the daughter of Abū Bakr and the favourite wife of Prophet Muḥammad, exploring her role in early Islamic history and her enduring title, 'Mother of the Believers.'

Definition§

ʿĀYISHAH (عائشة‎) - The daughter of Abū Bakr, who was the first Caliph of Islam, and the beloved and youngest wife of Prophet Muḥammad. She is greatly honored as “Ummu ʾl-Muʾminīn” (Mother of the Believers).

Etymology§

The name ʿĀYISHAH is of Arabic origin (عيشة‎), meaning “living, life” which reflects vitality and liveliness.

Background§

Ṣayyidah ʿĀYISHAH bint Abī Bakr was born around 613 CE in Mecca, into a prominent Arabian tribe called Quraysh. Her father, Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq, was a close companion of Prophet Muḥammad and the first Caliph of Islam, making her an integral part of early Islamic history.

At a young age, she was betrothed and married to Prophet Muḥammad, becoming his third wife. She played an indispensable role in the spread and preservation of Islam by narrating numerous ḥadīth (traditions of the Prophet) and providing spiritual and intellectual guidance to the early Muslim community. She participated in various events that shaped Islamic history, including the Battle of the Camel.

Cultural Differences & Similarities§

While ʿĀYISHAH is uniformly respected in Islamic tradition, her narratives and hadith collections hold varying levels of influence across different Islamic sects. Sunni Muslims heavily rely on her accounts of the Prophet’s life and practices, viewing her as an essential source of the Sunnah. Shi’a Muslims, however, often critique her due to historical and theological differences, particularly related to her involvement against ʿAlī ibn Abī Tālib in the Battle of the Camel.

Synonyms and Antonyms§

Synonyms:

  • Ummu ʾl-Muʾminīn (Mother of the Believers)
  • Ṣiddiqa (The Honest)

Antonyms:

  • N/A as no direct antonyms are appropriate for individual names in this context.
  • Prophet Muḥammad (Prophet of Islam): The final prophet according to Islamic belief.
  • Abū Bakr (First Caliph): ʿĀYISHAH’s father and the first Caliph in Islam.
  • Ḥadīth (Narrations): Sayings and traditions of Prophet Muḥammad that ʿĀYISHAH extensively transmitted.
  • Jurisprudence (Fiqh): Islamic legal and ethical traditions that ʿĀYISHAH contributed to through her narrations and interpretations.
  • Battle of the Camel: A significant conflict in Islamic history where ʿĀYISHAH played a crucial role.

Exciting Facts§

  • ʿĀYISHAH narrated around 2210 hadīth.
  • She is known for her vast knowledge in subjects like medicine, poetry, and Islamic jurisprudence.

Inspirational Quotations§

  • ʿĀYISHAH: “I never felt so jealous about any woman as I felt for Khadijah… even though she had died three years before I married the Prophet.”

  • Prophet Muḥammad: “The superiority of ‘Āishah to other women is like the superiority of Tharid (a meat and bread dish) to other kinds of food.”

Further Studies and Reference Literature§

  • Qur’an and Its Interpreters, Volume II: The House of Islam by Mahmoud Ayoub: Explore Qur’anic commentary including contributions by figures like ʿĀYISHAH.
  • “ʿĀ’isha: The Beloved of Muhammad” by Nabia Abbott: A holistic view of her life and impact in Islamic history.
  • “Women and Gender in Islam” by Leila Ahmed: Discusses the roles and status of women like ʿĀYISHAH in early Islam.
  • “The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya)” by Ibn Kathīr: Chronicles accounts of Prophet Muḥammad including those narrated by ʿĀYISHAH.
  • “The Veil and the Male Elite: A Feminist Interpretation of Women’s Rights in Islam” by Fatema Mernissi: Provides a modern feminist perspective on women in early Islam, including ʿĀYISHAH.

Farewell Note: Reflect upon the grace and knowledge that ʿĀYISHAH exemplified. May her life and legacy inspire many to seek wisdom and compassion.

— Zainab Al-Habib, October 3, 2023

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Islam Dictionary

IslamicTermsLexicon.com is your ultimate resource for understanding the vast and intricate world of Islamic doctrines, rites, ceremonies, customs, and technical & theological terms. Our comprehensive dictionary provides thousands of terms in both English and Arabic, each with detailed definitions, authoritative references, and quizzes designed to sharpen your understanding and enhance your learning experience.

Amina Al-Fahad Ibrahim Al-Hakim Ibrahim Al-Rashid Ibrahim Al-Hassan Hassan Al-Rashid Fatima Al-Hassan Fatima Al-Zahra Yusuf Al-Hakim Layla Al-Rashid Fatima Al-Rashid Ibrahim Al-Mansur Layla Hassan Zainab Al-Rashid Fatima Zahra Layla Al-Hassan Zayd Al-Hakim Zaynab Al-Rashid Ibrahim Al-Yusuf Layla Hasan Yusuf Al-Mahdi Yusuf Al-Rashid Dr. Layla Hassan Fatima Al-Husseini Harun Al-Rashid Ibrahim Malik Layla Ahmed Mustafa Al-Hakim Ahmad Al-Rashid Hakim Al-Rashid Hasan Al-Rashid Hassan Al-Hakim Hassan Al-Tamimi Ibrahim Al-Hakeem Ibrahim Al-Hashimi Ibrahim Al-Hussein Ibrahim Al-Karim Ibrahim Al-Khalil Ibrahim Al-Yazid Ibrahim Mustafa Khalid Al-Mansoor Omar Al-Hakim Omar Al-Rashid Samira Al-Hakim Tariq Al-Hakim Yusuf Al-Mansur Zainab Malik Zaynab Al-Hakim Zaynab Al-Hussein Ahmad Al-Hakim Fatima Ahmed Fatima Al-Husayni Fatima Al-Hussein Fatima Al-Mansouri Fatima El-Amin Fatima El-Sayed Fatima Rahman Fatima Rahmani Fatima Siddiqui Fatimah Al-Rashid Fatimah Zahra Hassan Al-Mansur Hassan Al-Razi Ibrahim Al-Husseini Ibrahim Al-Khatib Ibrahim Al-Mahdi Ibrahim Al-Mansoor Ibrahim Al-Mansour Ibrahim Al-Mansouri Ibrahim Al-Najjar Ibrahim Hassan Ibrahim Khalid Ibrahim Suleiman Khalid Al-Rashid Layla Al-Hakim Layla Al-Hashimi Layla Al-Mansoori Layla Al-Mansouri Layla Al-Zahra Layla Mahmoud Layla Mustafa Layla Rahman Tariq Al-Mansur Yasmin Al-Hassan Yasmin Al-Rashid Yusuf Al-Mansoor Yusuf Ibn Khalid Zara Ahmed Zaynab Hassan Ahmed Al-Hakim Aisha Ahmed Aisha Al-Hassan Aisha Rahman Aliyah Rahman Farah Al-Zahra Fatima Al-Habib Fatima Al-Hariri Fatima Al-Hassani Fatima Al-Mahmoud Fatima Al-Najjar Fatima Al-Qadri