Following the death of his first wife of 25 years, Khadija bint Khawilad, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)* entered into twelve other marriages. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq was the third and youngest wife, and the only child bride.
Aisha - Child Bride
Aisha was born in Mecca in 614 CE to Umm Ruman and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq. Most accounts report that Aisha was six years old at the time of her marriage and nine when the marriage was consummated. Although the bridal age of Aisha sometimes draws criticism, child marriages in 7th century Arabia were culturally and morally acceptable, just as they were in Biblical times.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was known to have an impeccable character, and his marriage to a child bride was an exception to his other marriages. Aisha was the only child and one of only two virgins to marry the Prophet (peace be upon him). His other wives were all widowed or divorced.
A Strategic Marriage
Aisha’s marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him) represents another cultural norm of her time – marriages which solidified family, tribal or political ties. Aisha’s father, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, was an early follower of Islam, close personal friend of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and a prominent figure in Mecca. Marriage to Aisha allowed the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr to establish a public alliance, while the young bride received honored status as wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The Prophet’s Favorite Wife
Although the marriage was strategic, historical accounts report genuine affection between the two, and Aisha became known as the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) favorite wife. It was in her lap that he rested his head when he died, and under the floor of her house that he was buried. The Prophet's Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) now stands on that site in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
Scholar and Witness to Islamic History
Aisha was reported to have been very beautiful, but it is her piety, intelligence and remarkable memory that make her a notable figure in Islamic history. She absorbed vast religious knowledge from the Prophet (peace be upon him) – including memorizing the entire Qur'an – and was witness to much of the early history of Islam. She helped preserve the details of those events, as well as the details of the private and public life of Muhammad (peace be upon him), by narrating more than two thousand hadith.
Aisha was only 18 when the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, but she was already regarded a religious scholar. Over the next four decades, until her own death, Muslims consulted Aisha for her extensive understanding of Qur'an, Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Islamic teachings and traditions (Sunnah). She helped educate Islamic scholars and took custody of children – some orphans – to raise then in Islam.
Aisha Remembered
Aisha passed away in 678 at the age of 65. Her scholarly contributions to Islam, as well as her pious example, have earned her special status among the “Mothers of the Believers,” a term of honor given to all the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
* Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever his name is mentioned.
Sources:
"Aisha Bint Abu Bakr," Dawaat El Islam.com
Islamqa.com - Saheeh el-Bukhaari
Christine Benlafquih - Christine (Amina) Benlafquih is a Morocco-based writer. She covers varied topics including religion, food, health and culture.
