'A'ISHAH

in full 'a'ishah Bint Abi Bakr born 614, Mecca, Arabia [now in Saudi Arabia] died July 678, Medina the third and most favoured wife of the Prophet Muhammad (the founder of Islam), who played a role of some political importance after the Prophet's death. All Muhammad's marriages had political motivations, and in this case the intention seems to have been to cement ties with 'A'ishah's father, Abu Bakr, who was one of Muhammad's most important supporters. 'A'ishah's physical charms, together with the genuine warmth of their relationship, secured her a place in his affections that was not lessened by his subsequent marriages. It is said that in 627 she accompanied the Prophet on an expedition but became separated from the group. When she was later escorted back to Medina by a man who had found her in the desert, Muhammad's enemies claimed that she had been unfaithful. Muhammad, who trusted her, had a revelation asserting her innocence and publicly humiliated her accusers. She had no important influence on his political or religious policies while he lived. When Muhammad died in 632, 'A'ishah was left a childless widow of 18. She remained politically inactive until the time of 'Uthman (644656; the third caliph, or leader of the Islamic community), during whose reign she played an important role in fomenting opposition that led to his murder in 656. She led an army against his successor, 'Ali, but was defeated in the Battle of the Camel. The engagement derived its name from the fierce fighting that centred around the camel upon which 'A'ishah was mounted. Captured, she was allowed to live quietly in Medina.