Horizon of the Ladies of Islam: ‘Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA) - Part I

Distinctions and unique virtues

‘Aisha was given the title Horizon of the ladies of Islam. She was called Habibat Habibillah, the beloved one of the beloved one of Allah, and Umm ‘Abdullah, the mother of Abdullah, even though she had no children of her own. This ‘Abdullah was her nephew, the son of her sister ‘Asma’.

She herself said that Allah granted her nine distinctions, blessings that set her apart from all other women except Maryam bint ‘Imran, the mother of 'Isa.

1. The Angel Jibril came to the Prophet ﷺ with her image, wrapped in green silk, and told him that this was the woman Allah had chosen as his wife in this world and the next.

2. She was the only virgin ever married to the Prophet ﷺ.

3. When the Prophet passed away, his blessed head rested in her lap and was laid to rest in her apartment.

4. Angels often surrounded her home with love and respect.

5. Divine revelation would descend upon the Prophet ﷺ while he was with her, something that did not happen in the home of any other wife.

6. She was the daughter of the Prophet’s ﷺ closest companion, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, the most truthful.

7. Verses declaring her innocence were revealed from the heavens by Allah, affirming her purity.

8. She was born a Muslim, raised in a pure environment, and spent her early years with the best of creation, the Prophet ﷺ.

9. Allah, the Lord of the Universe and Sustainer, promised her forgiveness and abundant blessings.

Early Life

Her name was ‘Aisha bint Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah. She came from a distinguished and noble lineage. Her father was Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ closest companion and the first Caliph of Islam, known for his sincerity, strong faith, and great loyalty to the Prophet ﷺ, whom he loved more than his own life. Her mother, Umm Rumman, had been married to ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abd al-Asad before marrying Abu Bakr. From her first husband, she had a son named al-Tufayl, and from Abu Bakr she bore ‘Aisha and ‘Abd al-Rahman. Abu Bakr also had two other children from another wife: ‘Abdullah and Asma’. ‘Aisha was born in 614 CE, a few years after the beginning of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission, into a home already illuminated by Islam.

Their home was a place the Messenger of Allah ﷺ visited daily, sometimes twice a day. The family welcomed him with warmth, courtesy, and generosity, always making sure he was comfortable during his visits. ‘Aisha’s memories started at the time of the boycott against the Muslims, where she witnessed her father and the Prophet ﷺ facing persecution, insults, and physical harm. She saw her father defend and support the Prophet with absolute devotion, giving everything he had for Islam.

As a child, ‘Aisha was lively, intelligent, and full of curiosity. She played with dolls and swings, as young girls did. Once, when the Prophet ﷺ saw her with a toy horse that had wings, he gently joked, “Horses don’t have wings.” She replied immediately, “But Prophet Sulayman had horses with wings!” Her quick and thoughtful answer at only about five years old showed her sharp mind and early understanding of religious stories.

During that period, the Prophet ﷺ was grieving deeply. He had lost his two greatest earthly supporters: his beloved wife Khadijah, the comfort of his heart, and his uncle Abu Talib, his protector. Then, for three consecutive nights, he had the same dream: the angel Jibril showed him a picture of ‘Aisha wearing green silk and said, “This is your wife in this world and in the Hereafter.” The Prophet ﷺ understood this as a decree from Allah, something destined, but he did not pursue it immediately. He simply waited for Allah’s timing.

The proposal for ‘Aisha’s marriage began when Khawlah bint Ḥakim al-Aslamiyyah (RA) said to the Prophet ﷺ: “What do you think about marrying ‘Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr?” The Prophet ﷺ nodded in agreement. Khawlah then went to ‘Aisha’s mother, Umm Rumman, who advised her to wait until Abu Bakr returned. When Abu Bakr (RA) heard the proposal, he initially questioned, wondering if she was permissible for the Prophet ﷺ, saying that she was “like his niece.” Khawlah brought this to the Prophet ﷺ, who said: “Go back and tell Abu Bakr that he is my brother in Islam, and I am his brother, and his daughter is lawful for me.”

Abu Bakr then consulted Muṭ‘im ibn ‘Adiyy, who had once wished for ‘Aisha to marry his son. Since Muṭ‘im and his family were still disbelievers, they feared she might influence their son toward Islam. Abu Bakr was relieved. This ended any previous arrangement, clearing the way for the blessed marriage. It was then agreed that the marriage of the Prophet ﷺ and ‘Aisha would take place when she reached maturity, and that time came only after the Hijrah, when the Muslims migrated to Madinah.

Before this happened, Khawlah had also suggested Sawda bint Zam‘ah to the Prophet ﷺ. Sawda, already a mature woman and a widowed mother, was known for her warmth and joyful nature. The Prophet ﷺ married her immediately and consummated that marriage, welcoming her into his household. Sawda was cheerful and loving. She often made the Prophet ﷺ laugh.

Life with the Prophet ﷺ

Marriage

‘Aisha (RA) narrated the story of her marriage to the Prophet ﷺ, saying: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to our home, where many people had gathered to meet him. My mother came to me while I was playing and took me to the door where the Prophet ﷺ was sitting. Overcome with shyness, I could hardly stand still. My mother then placed me beside him and said, ‘This is your wife. May Allah bless her for you and bless you for her.’ The people then left the room, and no animal was slaughtered for me that night. I was nine years old at the time.”

There was only milk at their wedding, no fancy meal, clothes, or festival. Her mahr, as well as all the other Prophet’s wives, was 50 Dirhams. They were engaged in the month of Shawwal and married in Shawwal.

‘Aisha (RA) still had much to learn when she married the Prophet ﷺ, but despite her young age, she was a lively and intelligent young woman. Blessed with a pure heart, a sharp mind, and an exceptional memory, she learned very quickly. She was never afraid to speak up in search of the truth or to express what she believed to be right.

When ‘Aisha (RA) first joined the Prophet’s ﷺ household as a young girl, a deep and lasting bond formed between her and Sawdah (RA), who, along with the rest of the household, cared for her warmly. Later, when ‘Aisha matured, Sawdah, by then elderly, offered her share of the Prophet’s time to ‘Aisha out of affection and generosity.

Her home didn’t have any luxury. Instead, she lived in a small room near the Prophet’s Mosque in Bani Najjar, on the eastern side of the Mosque, about six feet wide, with earthen walls and a roof of palm leaves and twigs. To keep out rain, a blanket was spread over the roof, which was so low that anyone standing could touch it. The room had a single wooden blanket hanging in place of a curtain with one tiny bed. She owned only three dresses: a red shirt for home, a black abaya for leaving the house, and a yellow dress for festivals. Yet, what made their home extraordinary was the love they shared and the character the Prophet ﷺ brought to it.

‘Aisha’s Unique Place in the Prophet’s Heart

‘Aisha (RA) held a unique and cherished place in the heart of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, a place no one else shared. The Prophet ﷺ never concealed his love for her; rather, he openly expressed it. Out of affection, he would drink from the same spot on a cup where she had drunk and eat from the same place she had eaten. When ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas (RA) once asked, “O Messenger of Allah, whom do you love most?” the Prophet ﷺ replied without hesitation, “‘Aisha.” And among the men? He replied: her father.

She was the only virgin among the wives of the Prophet ﷺ and the only one in whose bed divine revelation descended to him through Jibril (may Allah exalt his mention). She was pure, modest, and devoted to her worship. The Prophet ﷺ preferred no resident other than ‘Aisha’s. Whether he was in the city or travelling, he always preferred her company. It was as if Allah had given her the key to his heart, and she knew exactly how to make him happy.

Their relationship was filled with tenderness and joy. The Prophet ﷺ would play and laugh with her, sometimes racing on journeys. ‘Aisha narrated one such moment of kindness: “By Allah, I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ standing at the door of my room while the Abyssinians were playing with spears in the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ covered me with his cloak so that I could watch over his shoulder. He remained standing for my sake until I had seen enough.”

Even during fasting or after performing wudu, he would kiss her and not renew his wudu before salah. Even in the last 10 days of Ramadan, while in I’tikaf, he used to stick his head in ‘Aisha’s room (connected to the masjid) to let her oil and comb his hair because he knew she missed him. Even in profound worship, he remained aware of her feelings and would let her know that he was also thinking about her. The Prophet ﷺ also liked her company on social occasions, always preferring her presence at meals. They were so close that each could feel the other’s moods and emotions before they were spoken.

Because everyone knew her special place in the Prophet’s heart, people often sent gifts to him on the day it was her turn, which caused jealousy among the other wives. ‘Aisha (RA) narrated: “The people used to send presents to the Prophet ﷺ on the day of my turn. My companions (the other wives of the Prophet ﷺ) gathered in the house of Umm Salamah and said: ‘O Umm Salamah! By Allah, the people send gifts on the day of ‘Aishah’s turn. Tell the Prophet ﷺ to instruct them to send gifts regardless of whose turn it is.’”

Umm Salamah (RA), whom the Prophet respected so much for her knowledge, wisdom and scholarship, conveyed their message, but the Prophet ﷺ turned away without responding. She repeated it multiple times, until finally, the Prophet ﷺ said: “O Umm Salamah! Do not trouble me by harming ‘Aisha, for by Allah, revelation has never come to me while I was under the blanket of any woman among you except her.” Then, Umm Salamah sought Allah and the Prophet’s forgiveness.

Still unsatisfied, the wives then sent Fatima (RA), the Prophet’s beloved daughter, to speak to him. ‘Aisha described the scene: “The wives of the Prophet ﷺ sent Fatima to him while he was resting with me under a woolen blanket. She asked for permission to enter, and he allowed her. She said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, your wives have sent me to you asking for fairness regarding the daughter of Abu Quhafah (‘Aisha) about the gifts. I remained silent, listening. The Prophet ﷺ said to her, ‘O my daughter, do you not love what I love?’ She replied, ‘Yes.’ He then said, ‘Then love this one.’” So, Fatima said I love this woman, and she never mentioned it again. The Prophet ﷺ would make du’a’ to Allah regarding his heart, asking that Allah not hold him accountable for what was beyond his control. Yet in everything within his ability, he remained just and fair in his actions toward his family.

‘Aisha’s Love and Jealousy

‘Aisha (RA) also was known for her unparalleled love for the Prophet ﷺ, a love so strong that it sometimes showed itself through jealousy. She once admitted to the Prophet ﷺ, “How could someone like me not feel jealous over someone like you?” On one occasion, while she was with the Prophet ﷺ, Zeinab (RA), another of his wives, sent food to him and some companions who were visiting him. Out of jealousy, ‘Aisha broke the container. The Prophet ﷺ calmly gathered the food, saying with a smile, “Your mother felt jealous.”

One night, when the Prophet ﷺ went out to visit the cemetery of Al-Baqi‘, ‘Aisha thought he had gone to see another wife. She followed him out of jealousy. When the Prophet ﷺ noticed this, he gently said to her, “Did you think that Allah and His Messenger would be unjust to you?”

Whenever the Prophet ﷺ married another woman, ‘Aisha would discreetly observe if the new wife might rival her special place in his heart. She also felt great jealousy toward Khadijah (RA), whom the Prophet ﷺ often spoke with love, respect and admiration, although she never met her. She once said: “When Allah’s Messenger ﷺ remembered Khadijah, he would praise her often. I felt jealous and said: ‘You keep remembering that old woman! Allah has given you better than her.’ The Prophet ﷺ replied: ‘Allah has not given me better than her. She believed in me when others disbelieved, she confirmed my truth when people denied me, she shared her wealth when others withheld theirs, and Allah blessed me with children through her alone.’” From that day, Aisha (RA) never spoke against Khadijah again.

'Aisha said that what she most loved about the Prophet ﷺ was not his beauty, smile, character, or even his treatment of her, but his devotion to Allah. She once witnessed him weeping over the profound meaning of Ayat 2:164: ‘‘Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth; the alternation of the day and the night; the ships that sail the sea for the benefit of humanity; the rain sent down by Allah from the skies, reviving the earth after its death; the scattering of all kinds of creatures throughout; the shifting of the winds; and the clouds drifting between the heavens and the earth — in all of this are surely signs for people of understanding.’’

Seclusion and Loyalty

Near ‘Aishah’s small room was a slightly elevated chamber where the Prophet ﷺ once stayed during a month of seclusion. Some wives, accustomed to comfort before marriage, had asked for increased allowances. Knowing that he valued simplicity and devotion to worldly wealth, this request made him sad. So, he separated from them for a month, residing in the room above ‘Aishah’s while also recovering from a fall from his horse.

After 29 days, he returned and offered ‘Aishah a choice: a life of simplicity with him or a life of comfort apart from him. Without hesitation, she declared her loyalty, saying she would never trade her life with him for all the riches of the world. This brought a smile to his face. Shortly afterward, Allah revealed the verse from Surat Al-Ahzab (33:28–29): "O Prophet! Say to your wives, “If you desire the life of this world and its luxury, then come, I will give you a suitable compensation for divorce and let you go graciously. But if you desire Allah and His Messenger and the everlasting Home of the Hereafter, then surely Allah has prepared a great reward for those of you who do good.’" He then made the same proposition to all his wives, who each replied as ‘Aisha had, after asking the Prophet ﷺ for her decision.

Her Memory

‘Aisha possessed an extraordinary memory, sharp, precise, and almost unfailing. Once she heard something, she rarely forgot it. Even though she was only about eight years old at the time of the Prophet’s migration (Hijrah) to Madinah, she later recalled even the smallest details of that momentous journey.

One remarkable example of her memory is her narration of the famous Hadith of the Eleven Women (Hadith of Umm Zar). In it, eleven women gathered and promised to speak openly about their husbands, describing their characters with vivid imagery; some critical, some admiring. Each woman painted a unique picture:

• One compared her husband to tough, unappetizing camel meat on a mountain, difficult to reach and not worth the effort.

• Another refused to speak, fearing she would never finish listing his faults.

• A third described a tall, proud husband, too harsh to praise, too cold to love.

• A fourth praised her husband’s moderation, comparing him to the gentle night of Tihamah.

• A fifth said her husband was fierce like a leopard at home and a lion outside.

• A sixth lamented his greed and neglect.

• A seventh called hers a wrongdoer who caused pain and injury.

• An eighth described her husband as gentle and sweet-smelling.

• A ninth spoke of her husband’s generosity and open house for guests.

• A tenth, married to Malik, glorified him for his wealth, hospitality, and noble character.

• The eleventh, Umm Zar, described her husband Abu Zar with affection and gratitude. He had raised her from poverty to comfort, treated her with love and respect, and provided generously. However, he later left her for another woman. Though she remarried a kind and wealthy man, she admitted that all his gifts could not equal the love she once had with Abu Zar.

After narrating this story in vivid detail to the Prophet (ﷺ), he smiled and told her, “I am to you as Abu Zar was to his wife Umm Zar, except that I would never divorce you.”

Encounters with the Angel Jibril

There are two recorded occasions when ‘Aisha saw Angel Jibril personally. On the first occasion, she saw the Prophet ﷺ standing with his hands on the mane of a horse, speaking to a rider. Curious, she asked who the man was. The Prophet ﷺ, surprised that she had seen him, explained that it was the Angel Jibril, who had come in the form of a man and had asked the Prophet ﷺ to convey his greetings to her. Moved by this honor, ‘Aisha immediately prayed that Allah rewarded both the noble guest and his gracious host with goodness.

The second incident was narrated by Anas (RA). While the Prophet ﷺ was praying in ‘Aisha’s apartment, she noticed a stranger standing outside the door and informed him. After finishing his prayer, the Prophet went out and there stood the Angel Jibril once again. The Prophet then invited him to enter.

Although ‘Aisha (RA) lived in the warmth of the Prophet’s ﷺ home, surrounded by revelation, by love, and by the honor Allah placed upon her, the time was coming when she would face one of the heaviest trials ever endured by a believing woman. A trial that would shake the community, test hearts, and reveal the strength Allah had placed within her.

May Allah makes us among those who follow the example of His righteous servants. Ameen.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an 2:164. (n.d.). Quran.com. Retrieved from Surah Al-Baqarah - 2-164 - Quran.com

Qur’an 24:11–20. (n.d.). Quran.com. Retrieved from Surah An-Nur - 11-20 - Quran.com

Qur’an 33:28–29. (n.d.). Quran.com. Retrieved from Surah Al-Ahzab - 28-29 - Quran.com

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5078. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 5078 - Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah) - كتاب النكاح - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2581. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 2581 - Gifts - كتاب الهبة وفضلها والتحريض عليها - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6130. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 6130 - Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab) - كتاب الأدب - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3894. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 3894 - Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar) - كتاب مناقب الأنصار - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3895. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 3895 - Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar) - كتاب مناقب الأنصار - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3662. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 3662 - Companions of the Prophet - كتاب فضائل أصحاب النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2907. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 2906, 2907 - Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) - كتاب الجهاد والسير - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2029. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 2029 - Retiring to a Mosque for Remembrance of Allah (I'tikaf) - كتاب الاعتكاف - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5225. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 5225 - Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah) - كتاب النكاح - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5189. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 5189 - Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah) - كتاب النكاح - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3217. Retrieved from Sahih al-Bukhari 3217 - Beginning of Creation - كتاب بدء الخلق - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1106C. Retrieved from Sahih Muslim 1106c - The Book of Fasting - كتاب الصيام - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim, Hadith 974. Retrieved from Sahih Muslim 974b - The Book of Prayer - Funerals - كتاب الجنائز - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)

Secondary Sources

Ghadanfar, M. A. (2012, January 13). Great Women of Islam Who Were Given the Good News of Paradise. DARUSSALAM Publishers & Distributors. Retrieved from Great Women of Islam : Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Islamweb. (2013, March 11). ‘Aa’ishah bint Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq. Retried from ‘Aishabint Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq

Islamweb. (2016, January 3). 'Aa'ishah: the mother of the believers. Retrieved from Aaishah the mother of the believers

Qutb, M. A. (2022, January 23). Women Around The Messenger. International Islamic Publishing House. Retrieved from en_Women_Around_The_Messenger : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Suleiman, O. (2023, January 25). Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (ra): The Early Years of Sacrifice | The Firsts | Dr. Omar Suleiman. Yaqeen Institute. Retrieved from Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (ra): The Early Years of Sacrifice | The Firsts | Dr. Omar Suleiman

Suleiman, O. (2023, February 8). Aisha bint Abu Bakr (ra): The Love Story | The Firsts | Dr. Omar Suleiman. Yaqeen Institute. Retrieved from Aisha bint Abu Bakr (ra): The Love Story | The Firsts | Dr. Omar Suleiman

Note:
All Qur’anic and Hadith references cited in this article are drawn from authentic and widely recognized Islamic sources. Interpretations are based on classical tafsir and contemporary scholarship for educational and reflective purposes.