Aisha (613-13 July 678) was the daughter of Abu Bakr and Umm Ruman and the young wife of Muhammad who led the First Fitna in 656.
Biography[]
Aisha was born in 613, the daughter of Abu Bakr and Umm Ruman. She was betrothed to marry Jubayr ibn Mu'tim when she was young, but her family's Muslim faith led to the marriage being cancelled. However, Khawlah bint Hakim recommended that Aisha be married to Muhammad at a very young age, and the marriage strengthened ties between Abu Bakr and Muhammad. Aisha was young, but she was the most beloved of Muhammad's wives after the death of his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid in 619; she consummated her marriage with Muhammad at the very young age of ten. Muhammad decided to live his last days in Aisha's apartment, dying in her arms in 632. Aisha settled in Medina, and she had high social privilege due to Abu Bakr's ascenscion as Caliph and her status as Muhammad's widow. She was a consultant in political matters, and she delivered a fiery speech against Ali for not punishing Uthman's killers in 655. Along with Zubayr ibn al-Awam, she led an army in rebellion against Ali at the Battle of the Camel in 656, in which Zubayr was slain and her army defeated. She retired to a quiet life, watching as Ali was assassinated and the Rashidun Caliphate fell. She died in 678.