Death of Hazrat Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA)

Oct 02

Death of Hazrat Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA)

Monday 17 Ramadan, 7036

Who Was Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا?

Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, more commonly referred to as “Umm al-Momineen – Mother of the Believers” was the third and most beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the daughter of the closest companion of the Prophet, Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his wife Umm Ruman, who later on became the first Rashidun Caliph, after the passing of the Prophet.

While the exact date of her birth is unknown, it is generally believed that she was born either in Mecca in late 613 or early 614 CE. No authentic information can be found about her early life. However, it is a consensus that she was engaged to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, at the age of 6 or 7 years but she stayed with his parent at that time. After the historic migration of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ to Medina, the marriage formally took place in the year 623 CE in the Islamic month of Shawwal.

Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was the youngest and the only virgin wife of the Prophet. Although the Prophet also married other women after that, the status of Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا remained unchanged, as the most beloved wife of the Prophet. She is known for her scholarly knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence, intelligence, wisdom, and deep understanding of the Quran and Hadith. She is considered an authority on various religious matters, such as the mechanism of inheritance, prayers, and pilgrimage, as well as the private life of the Prophet. She is the narrator of around 2210 Hadiths, the highest among all the Hadith narrators.

After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, her father and the most trusted and closest companion of the Prophet, Hazrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was chosen as the first Rashidun Caliph. Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا played a key role on the political front, assisting her father, the first Caliph. Her political role continued during the Caliphate of the second and third Caliphs, Hazrat Umar and Hazrat Uthman رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا.

However, due to some disputes with the fourth Caliph, Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, she almost retired from political activities, especially after the “Battle of the Camel.” Battle of the Camel was fought between the allies of Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا and the Caliph Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. She actively participated in this war. Eventually, the Caliph won this battle, and she was safely sent to Medina, where she spent her remaining life teaching and guiding the Muslim community, especially the women.

Her role as a religious scholar is rated very high. Apart from that she had been instrumental in uplifting the status of the women in the Arab society, where traditionally, they were confined to just household affairs. She lived for around 44 years after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and died at the age of around 64/65 years.

When Did Hazrat Aisha (RA) Pass Away?

Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا lived a vibrant life in the capacity of being the most beloved wife of the Prophet. She provided all the moral and physical support to the Prophet. After the passing of the Prophet, she offered vibrant support on the political front to the first three Caliphs. On the other hand, she was the primary source of transmitting the Sunnah of the Prophet. After living a busy life, she fell sick even after she retired from political matters. She left this world at around 64/65 years, in 678 CE, corresponding to the 17th of the Islamic month of Ramadan in 58 AH. She was buried in the famous cemetery of Medina, known as Jannat al-Baqi.

Hazrat Aisha's (RA) Contributions to Islam

Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was an intelligent and wise woman. She had excellent memory and could reproduce an event with its complete detail years after. At the same time, she possessed an extraordinary knowledge of various religious matters. Her contribution to uplifting the status of women in Arab society is remarkable. She was also quite active in political and state affairs, especially during the Caliphate of the first three Rashidun Caliphs.

Some of her remarkable contributions to Islam are summarized below:

  • She is the narrator of around 2210 Hadiths, which are reported in the renowned Hadith Collections, commonly known as “the six authentic.” It is the highest number of hadith narrations amongst all the narrators.
  • She provided necessary guidance on religious issues to the companions of the Prophet after his passing. Since she lived for a long time after his passing, she was the main source of the transmission of the Sunnah of the Prophet, which not only helped the companions of the Prophets but also for the coming generations.
  • She played a key role in the formulation of the Islamic Jurisprudence. She had a remarkable knowledge about various religious issues, as she had first-hand information about the acts of the Prophet on these issues.
  • She also played her role in the well-being of women in light of the teachings and practical behavior towards women by the Prophet.
  • While actively participating in political activities, she also set an example for the future role of women not only in Arab society but also in the worldwide scenario for the coming generation.

The Impact of Hazrat Aisha's Death

Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا was a wise woman having a deep knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah. She was the transmitter of around 2210 Hadiths. Additionally, her role in the politics of the early Islamic Caliphate was unparalleled. Hence, her passing left its impact on the Muslim Community in many ways:

  • She is remembered as 'the mother of the believers’ (Umm al-Momineen), the Prophet's wife. It is a very special and unique status, which is given explicitly to the wives of the Prophets, including Hazrat Aisha رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا.
  • It was a massive loss to the Muslim Community, as they lost the first and the most reliable female scholar, who helped them throughout her life with different religious issues.
  • She left a lasting legacy in Islamic teachings, education, and religious knowledge.

FAQs:

She passed at the age of around 64 or 65 on the 17th of Ramadan, 58 AH (678 CE).

She was buried in Jannat al-Baqi, the famous cemetery in Medina.

She was considered an authority on different religious matters, as she possessed first-hand information on such issues in the light of the Sunnah and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Apart from that, she also had a remarkable knowledge of the Quran. She is the narrator of 2210 Hadiths, which are included in all the authentic Hadith collections.

Hazrat Aisha (RA) transmitted the highest number of Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. She also educated the people of her time about the acts and teachings of the Prophet on various religious matters. The transmission of a huge number of Hadiths of the Prophet made it possible for the coming generations to get the knowledge of Sunah of the Prophet.

All the wives of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ have the unique status of being “Mother of the Believers,” as mentioned in the 6th verse of Surah Al-Ahzab:

Translation of the relevant part of the verse “The Prophet is closer to the faithful than they are themselves; and his wives are as their mothers”      

Moreover, she was the most beloved wife of the Prophet, so she is more commonly referred to as the mother of the Believers (Umm al-Momineen).