Aisha Siddiqah: An Extraordinary Woman

Aisha did not narrate a very large number of the Prophet’s sayings. Her distinctive contribution lay elsewhere: she listened to every word of the Prophet with deep attention, observed each of his actions closely, and then, with her God-gifted intelligence, understood the wisdom underlying them. Her statements are, therefore, a treasure-house of Islamic wisdom and spiritual insight. For example, she observed that whenever the Prophet had to choose between two courses of action, he invariably chose the easier one. This brief observation contains profound guidance for life. Aisha devoted her exceptional intelligence entirely to the cause of God’s religion. At the same time, she made simplicity and freedom from material attachment the guiding principles of her life. In her later years, considerable wealth came into her hands, but she distributed it among others and continued to lead a life of great simplicity. Once, Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr sent Aisha 180,000 dirhams (silver coins). By evening, she had given away the entire amount in charity, although she was fasting that day and there was nothing in the house except bread and olive oil. Her maid remarked, “It would have been good to keep back a few dirhams to buy something for your fastbreaking meal.” Aisha replied, “Had you reminded me