Understanding Aisha Siddiqah

UNDERSTANDING AISHA SIDDIQAH A isha bint Abi Bakr holds a unique and distinguished place in Islamic history as one of its foremost women. She was the daughter of the first Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, and later became the esteemed wife of the Prophet of Islam. She was one of the leading scholars of the Quran, and in the field of Hadith she attained the status of a mujtahidah, a woman qualified for independent juristic reasoning. Her father was Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah, and her mother was Umm Ruman bint Amir. She was born in Makkah in the fifth year of Prophethood. After examining various reports, Mawlana Sayyid Sulayman Nadvi concluded that her probable date of birth was Shawwal 9 BH, corresponding to July 614 CE. (Sirat Aisha, Shibli Academy, Azamgarh, p. 19) Aisha had an extraordinary memory. She remembered many events even from her early childhood. She had memorized a large body of Arabic poetry and would often quote verses suited to different occasions. In the