AISHAH

   (b. 614, Mecca; d. July 678, Medina), in full Aishah Bint Abi Bakr , the third and most favoured wife of Prophet Muhammad (the founder of Islam), who played a politically important role 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 Aishah's father, Abu Bakr, who was one of Muhammad's most important supporters. Aishah'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. Gifted with tremendous intelligence, extraordinary wisdom, and formidable memory, Aishah was one of the Prophet's most devoted pupils and followers. She was skilled in medicine, poetry, mathematics, and oratory. According to Islamic scholars, half of the Ilm-I-Hadith (understanding and knowledge of the Hadith and Islam) would have perished without Aishah. She helped preserve the behavioural principles of Muhammad, by practising them herself and teaching them to others. She narrated at least 2,000 Hadith, giving Muslims valuable insights into the Prophet's daily life.

It is said that in 627 she accompanied the Prophet on an expedition but was separated from the group. Later, when she was 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.  

When Muhammad died in 632, Aishah was left a childless widow of 18. She remained politically inactive until the time of Uthman (644-656; 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 on the camel upon which Aishah was mounted. Captured, she was allowed to live quietly in Medina. Aishah died in AD 678 and was buried beside other companions of the Prophet.