Aisha (Radia Allahu anha)

Originally from the Kinana Tribe, Aisha (Aïcha bint Abu Bakr) (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was born approximately 9 years before the Hegira, while the Revelation had begun approximately 3 years ago. She was the daughter of Abû Bakr ( faithful friend and closest companion of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) who was called “As-Siddîq” (the truthful). It was in his company that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) completed the Hegira towards Medina. Abu Bakr was a clothing merchant in Mecca.

Aisha’s mother, Um Rumman, was the daughter of Umayr ibn Amr. She was – with her husband – among the first Muslims from the first year of the Revelation and experienced all the persecutions carried out against the faithful of the new religion. She was very active alongside her husband and the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) announced to her that she would have a place in Paradise. She died before the disappearance of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) and it was he who placed her in her grave. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) told us: « I did not know my father and my mother other than practicing the Muslim religion. « 

Besides her brother ‘Abdallah, Aisha had a half-sister, Asmâ, daughter of Abû Bakr.

Regarding the marriage of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) with Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , we are told that the Messenger of Allah (Radia Allahu ‘anha) saw the Angel Gabriel (Alaihi sallam) in a dream. present him with a piece of cloth in which something was wrapped.

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) asked him: “What is it? » and the Angel Gabriel (Alaihi sallam) answered him: “Your wife! » By lifting a corner of the cloth, he discovered the young Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) . This message came to him like a divine command. He therefore went to his friend Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ) to ask for his daughter’s hand, which the latter happily granted. This event is placed around the year 3 before the Hegira (620 AD).

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) had already been proposed to by a family of polytheists, but they began to fear that by marrying their son to Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , he would also embrace the new religion and abandon their traditions. They were therefore extremely happy when an opportunity allowed them to renounce this union. […]

The day she entered the House of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), things took place with the greatest simplicity, including the wedding meal. That day there was only a bowl of milk in the house. The Messenger of Allah took a sip, gave the bowl to Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) who also took a sip, as did the few other people present. It was the month of Shawwâl.

Aisha was installed in her apartment, the only door of which opened onto the mosque and closed with a simple curtain. The furniture consisted of a mattress, a date fiber pillow, a carpet, two jars, one for dates, the other for flour, as well as a jug for water and a bowl. There was also an oil lamp, which, due to lack of oil, did not often work. We saw that each person’s furniture could be different because of what they brought with them or received as gifts from their families.

She is the only virgin woman that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) married, all the other wives had already been married and had become widows. We are told that Aisha was pretty. Dinet writes that she was gracious, very spiritual and educated. Later, Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was to say that among the Brides, some were more beautiful, especially Zaynab, Juwayriya and Safiya (May Allah be pleased with them).

We know that Aisha was, after Khadîja (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , the favorite wife of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam). But she was not the “favorite” for her beauty alone, nor her youth, but rather for her intelligence and the liveliness of her spirit. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was chosen by “destiny of Allah”; Allah (azwadial) is Most Knowledgeable! Her youth was precisely a major asset for the mission that she would have to fulfill throughout her life, as we will see later.

We are told that a Companion asked the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) the question: “Who do you love most? » – “Aisha, he replied” – “For men,” he clarified. » – “Aisha’s father! » – “And after him? » – “’Umar ibn Al-Khattab. » Then he listed other characters. [Reported by Bukhari]

He needed a young, intelligent and enthusiastic woman, capable of assimilating and interpreting the laws of Islam to women. However, from her earliest childhood, she saw the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) almost every day, when he visited his friend Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ), in his house, transmitting to him, little by little, the verses of the Koran which were revealed to him by the Angel Gabriel (Alaihi sallam) . They also discussed together the various events concerning the Muslim Community. She was lively and intelligent, as we have said, and she therefore learned, from a young age, from the very mouth of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), as the Revelation and events progressed, both before and After her marriage, everything she needed to know for the teaching mission that would fall to her throughout her life.

She had the required qualities and, due to her youth which made her quite permeable, she was more likely to receive and retain, and then retransmit, the teachings of Islam. She was still young at the time of the Hegira. However, everyone was unanimous in saying that no one could better tell all the details of the Emigration, even several years later. As a young girl as she was then, she participated with her sister Asmâ in the secret preparations for the journey of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) and her father Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ). Later, when she entered the House of the Messenger of God, her education continued.

As soon as he came home, she asked him questions. When he spoke to people in the mosque, she stood by the door of his apartment, listening to what he said in order to benefit from his teaching. It is in particular through all the questions she asked the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) that many teachings and traditions have reached us.

It was reported to us that his knowledge was equal to that of all the Companions and Mothers of the Believers combined. This is easy to explain: she was almost always present during the conversations that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had with the Companions when he transmitted to them the meaning of the divine message. She saw him live every day and nothing he said or did escaped her.

Ibn Abu Hurayra ( Radhiallahu anhu ) tells us that:

“Aïsha, wife of the Prophet, never heard a thing that she did not understand, without returning to the charge with him, until she had understood it well. » [Reported by Bukhari]

She is recognized for having been one of the greatest jurists of her time. She also had a developed taste for letters and distinguished herself in poetry. We owe teachings on the most diverse subjects to the insatiable curiosity of Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) . Here are some examples:

– Following the question on jihad: “Couldn’t we do it?” » “No,” replied the Prophet, “the most meritorious jihad for you women is a piously accomplished pilgrimage” [Reported by Bukhari] Or according to another version: “Your jihad is the pilgrimage! »

– The obligatory consent of the future wife to her marriage. “The virgin is ashamed” remarked Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) . The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) then specified: “His consent is valid through his silence. »[Reported by Bukhari]

We will see that numerous events generated important lessons both for women and for all Muslims.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) knew the genealogy and history of all the tribes of pre-Islamic Arabia, which was very important for the « strategy » that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had to put in place, so that the Community can form alliances with each other. And we will see that several of the Prophet’s marriages participated in these connections.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) is still considered to have had good knowledge of medicine. It seems that she acquired this knowledge in particular during the illness of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), when numerous delegations came to her bedside, coming from all regions of Arabia, to try to deliver him from his illness, by prescribing medicines that Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was responsible for preparing herself.

We are also told about her that she participated, with some of the Wives and other women among the first Muslims, in several of the military campaigns which took place, notably at Uhud, in the War of the Ditch, where the women brought their support. active participation by treating the wounded and giving water to the combatants. The hadith reported by Anas ( Radhiallahu anhu ) testifies to this:

“I saw Aisha and Um Salama, their clothes rolled up to the point that I could see the bottom of their legs, leaping with the wineskins on their backs and emptying them into the mouths of the troop. Then, they came to fill their wineskins and returned to empty them again into the mouths of the troop. » [Reported by Bukhari]

We know that there were Muslim women in all military campaigns, except the first, at Badr. […]

It is reported that during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) , there were already 20 women jurists among the Companions. This shows the importance of knowledge for all Muslims, including women.

“The search for knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim. »
[Reported by Bukhârî and Ibn Mâja]

But let us return to Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) to say that we are indebted to her for a large number of ahadith (around 2,200). Regarding this, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Aisha is half of the religion.”

Aisha’s role within the family of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) was most important. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was, as we have already said, after Khadîja (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , the favorite wife of the Prophet. Anas ibn Malik ( Radhiallahu anhu ) reported that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) said: “The superiority of Aisha over other Muslims is like that of the tsarid over other dishes. » This was the Prophet’s favorite dish.

Many events marked the married life of the Prophet .

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was quite spontaneous… which sometimes caused some incidents; but these were as many teachings given to Muslims, whether the revelation of a verse, or whether a word or an act of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) reached Muslims with, as an essential objective, to educate them in their religion by showing them the solution according to the circumstances. We will relate below those of the events which seem the most significant from the point of view of the benefits brought to the Community, events linked to the presence of Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) in the house of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) .

1 – The slander affair
The case takes place in the year 5 of the Hegira. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) must be around 14 or 15 years old. This incident was more serious than all those that punctuated Aisha’s life. It came after the revelation concerning the wearing of the veil. When one of the Wives was traveling with the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), her palanquin was taken down from her camel at the time of the halts. So, when she needed to isolate herself for a moment, she did so discreetly, moving away from the camp.

It therefore happened, during a halt, on the return from the victorious campaign led against the tribe of Banul Mustaliq, while Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) had left her palanquin, that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) gave the signal departure and her palanquin was put back on the camel. Given its lightness, no one noticed that it was not inside, and the caravan returned to the road without it. When she returned to the camp, she no longer found anyone; without panicking, convinced that people would quickly notice her absence and that they would come back for her, she stayed where she was and fell asleep.

In the early morning, it was a member of the caravan, Safwân (whose mother was Abu Bakr’s maternal aunt), who found her sleeping. He had walked all night (he was responsible for providing rear guard in order to recover latecomers or lost objects). He called her, then recognizing her, put her on her camel and brought her back, holding the animal by the bridle, at a forced march, to join the caravan at the moment when it was stopping again.

This incident – ​​which took place after the revelation on the veil – would not have had other consequences if jealousy had not inhabited the hearts of a few people, some towards Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , the others with regard to Safwân. The trip ended without anything happening. Arriving in Medina, Aisha fell ill for a month. She did not imagine that she and Safwân were the subject of such an “affair”.

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had just married Juwayriya (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , daughter of the chief of the Banul Mustaliq tribe and did not suspect what was going on either. However, it was at this moment that the slander against Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) and Safwân began. What the Prophet ends up knowing. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was surprised that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) hardly lingered with her while she was ill. He checked on her and left, without staying to chat with her as usual. She only learned of the slanderous rumors of which she was the subject after her recovery, from the mouth of Um Mistah, mother of one of the authors of the rumor.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was stunned and fell ill again. She asked the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) for permission to go to her parents, in order to confirm with them what she had just learned. She asked her mother; Um Ruman confirmed the rumor that was circulating, but tried to comfort her by telling her not to attach too much importance to this gossip, […].

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , instead of being comforted or reassured, cried profusely. We are even told that she fainted.

But, contrary to what his mother thought, none of the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) took part in these rumors. They were pious and worthy women, and whatever reason for jealousy they might have had, none contributed to spreading these rumors. On the contrary, they all spoke in favor of Aisha.

On the other hand, Hamna, the sister of Zaynab bint Jahsh, one of the Wives, participated in the slander, hoping to discredit Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) for the benefit of Zaynab (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , in the eyes of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam ) . But Zaynab didn’t know anything. We are even told that, like the other Wives, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) questioned her about what she knew. She replied:

“O Messenger of Allah! I respect my eyes and my ears. I only know good things. » And Aisha added: “Zaynab was the only one of the Wives who was on an equal footing with me. Allah preserved her because of her reserve. His sister then began to be hostile to him as well. » [Reported by Bukhari]

In reality, the slander had originated by a certain Ibn Ubbay and some other “hypocrites”, then was taken up and propagated by Mista (to take revenge for a dispute between him and Abu Bakr) and by the poet, Hassan Ibn Thâbit ( who had a grievance against Safwân), and finally, Hamna, sister of Zaynab, of whom we have just spoken.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was taken home by her parents. She kept crying and hoping to be vindicated.

For his part, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had not the slightest doubt as to the innocence of his young wife and Safwân but he could not exonerate her only because his conviction was made. He was waiting to receive proof of this innocence and as it was slow, he questioned the other Wives and those close to him. They all said the same thing:

“It’s all lies. We only know good things about Aisha. » [Reported by Bukhari]

Among the Companions, he also questioned ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib and Usama ibn Zayd. Usama, certain that she was also innocent, advised:

“Keep your wife. We only know good things about her. » As for ‘Ali, he replied: “O Messenger of Allah, Allah did not want to upset you. There are many other women besides her. Ask her servant, she will tell you the truth! » [Reported by Bukhari]

This response, a little ambiguous, hurt Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) who remembered it long afterwards. But we will see it later.

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) also questioned the servant of Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , Barîra, who replied: “I swear by the One who sent you, I have never seen anything reprehensible, otherwise that being a very young woman, she sometimes falls asleep next to her husband’s dinner and lets the familiar sheep of the house eat her pittance! »

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) resolved to raise this matter publicly by addressing the faithful. He said something like this to them:

“O People! What do you think of those who offend me through members of my family by spreading false rumors about them? By Allah, I know only good things about the people of my house and only good things about the man they speak of, who never entered one of my houses without me being with him. » [Reported by Bukhari]

There even followed an altercation between several people, and the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had to restore calm between them. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was unaware then that the Prophet Muhammad had publicly defended her; however, it comforted her greatly. She continued to cry while placing her trust in Allah. It was obviously not enough for the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) and a few other people to be convinced of the innocence of Aisha and Safwân for everything to return to normal; proof was needed and it was slow in coming!

It is through the trials to which He subjects the Believers that Allah elevates their faith. There is, for every Muslim, reason to meditate on the fact that trust in God is essential in difficult moments of life.

A month had passed since the affair began. One day, while her parents were near her, as well as a woman from the Ansar who came to comfort her, Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) saw the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) enter her home. He greeted her and sat down, something he had not done since the beginning of his illness.

Bukhârî tells us that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) pronounced the shahâda, then addressed her in these terms:

“O ‘Aïsha, something has come to me about you; if you are innocent, Allah will justify you; If you have committed any fault, ask Allah for forgiveness and return to Him. The faithful who recognizes his faults and returns to Allah, Allah returns to him. »

Hardly had he finished speaking when she stopped crying and, turning to her father, prayed to him: “Answer the Messenger of Allah for me! » Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ) then said to him: “I don’t know what to say to him! » She addressed the same request to her mother, who gave her the same answer. Then, herself addressing the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), she said to him:

“I know you’ve heard what people are saying; it has entered into your souls and you believe it. If I tell you that I am innocent – ​​and Allah knows that I am innocent – ​​you will not believe me. But, if I confessed to you that I committed what Allah knows that I am innocent of, you would believe me. So I will tell you what Joseph’s father said:

{Resignation is a beautiful thing and God will help me against what you have said.}
[Surah 12 – Verse 18]

These are the words of Jacob (Alaihi sallam) to his sons who came to announce the death of Joseph (Alaihi sallam) , when they had agreed among themselves to throw him into a well.

After this response, Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) returned to lie down on her bed while the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) continued his visit, with his parents. And, while he was still there, he received the revelation which finally exonerated Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) :

“Yes, those who came with the slander are a whole bunch of you. Do not count it as an evil, on the contrary, it is a good thing for you. To each of them what he gains in sin. To him, however, who bears the greatest share among them, a tremendous punishment.

Why, when you heard it (the slander), you men and women of faith, did you not think well of yourselves and say: “This is obvious slander.”

Why don’t the others produce four witnesses? So, if they do not produce witnesses, they are the liars before God. And were it not for the Grace of God upon you, and His mercy here and in the hereafter, a huge punishment would have visited you for what you have initiated.

When you received on your tongues and said with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and you counted it as nothing, although – with God – it was enormous.

And why did you not say, when you heard it: What have we to speak of this?
Purity to You! This is a huge slander!

God urges you never to repeat such a thing again if you are Believers. And God shows you the signs. God, however, is Learned and Wise. » [Surah 24 – Verses 11-18]

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) became smiling again and announced to Aisha: “O ‘Aisha! Allah declares you innocent! »

Her parents, always present, advised her: “Go to him and be grateful to him. » But she replied to them: “I will not go to him and it is Allah Alone whom I will praise. » As we see, despite her young age, Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) had character and a strong personality.

But here we must note that the revelation of these verses was a great good for the Community of Muslims; these verses, in fact, forbid any speculation about the conduct of a woman and it forbids harming anyone by accusing them of adultery, unless you can present the testimony of four people in good faith.

2 – Dry ablution (Tayamûm)
Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) and Um Salama (Radia Allahu ‘anha) had accompanied the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) on an expedition. The troop had stopped at the time of evening prayer and was preparing to leave when Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) realized that she had lost the onyx necklace she was wearing. According to one version, it was given to her by her mother on her wedding day, according to another version, it was lent to her by one of the Mothers of the Believers. We looked for him, in vain.

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had the camp established for the night. But there was no water there. The Companions complained to Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ) about the futility of the reason which obliged them to spend the night in this place, depriving them of the water necessary for their ablutions.

Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ) came to reproach his daughter and said to her: “You are constantly creating problems…” Towards the end of the night, the Prophet received a revelation which instituted dry ablution (tayamûm).

[…] If you are sick or traveling, or if one of you returns from a place where he defecated, or if you approached your wives and found no water, perform dry ablution by touching pure earth. Wipe your face and hands. God is certainly Forgiving and Merciful. [Surah 4 – Verse 43]

Suddenly, the whole troop then rejoiced and said: “O Family of Abu Bakr! This is not your first donation to Islam. »

Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ) – who was very angry with his daughter – came and said to her: “I did not imagine that you could be the source of such a blessing for the Muslims. Thanks to you, people have been granted great ease. »

Another hadith tells us that Usayd ibn Hudayr came and said to Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) :

“Allah rewards you with good things! Because, by God, nothing unpleasant has ever happened to you without Allah making something good out of it for you and all Muslims. » [Reported by Bukhari]

Let’s not forget that the slightest travel in this region took place in the desert and the water points were often far from each other, which did not make travel easy! Moreover, regarding this remark, Abu Hurayra ( Radhiallahu anhu ) reported that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) said:

“The journey is one of the aspects of torture where the traveler prevents himself from sleeping, eating and drinking. When you have finished your business, hurry back to your family. » [Reported by Bukhari]

This event therefore had a beneficial impact for all Muslims who, to this day, use this means when they find themselves in circumstances where they do not have water. Then, as if to emphasize that this incident had essentially educational value, the necklace was found under Aisha’s camel just as it got up!

3 – The honeypot affair
The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had been lingering for some time with Hafsa (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , one of the Wives, who gave him to drink honey that she had received, which he particularly appreciated. We know that the Prophet loved sweet foods.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) and some of the Wives (Safiya and Sawda, it seems) agreed to tell the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), when he returned, that his breath gave off a unpleasant smell. This put an end to the Prophet’s « greedy » moments, but they realized that they had deprived him of a pleasure. [Reported by Bukhari]

According to another version, he lingered drinking honey at Zaynab’s house. It was on this occasion that the following verse was revealed:

O Prophet! Why, in seeking the approval of your Wives, do you deny yourself what God has allowed you […]
[Surah 66 – Verse 1]

4 – Safiya’s luggage
Returning from the Farewell pilgrimage, ‘Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) had little luggage as she rode a powerful camel, while Safiya, another of the Wives, had heavy luggage and a weak camel which slowed down the journey. caravan walking.

In order to distribute the load, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) gave the order to place heavy luggage on ‘Aïsha’s camel, without having asked for the agreement of each person. Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was upset.

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) proposed to him: “Do you want Abu Ubayda to arbitrate between us? – No, she said, he will never agree with me against you! – So ‘Umar? he suggested. – Oh no ! I’m afraid of him ! Even Satan is afraid of him! – Well, do you want it to be your father, Abu Bakr? »

She consented and they called Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ), who, learning the cause of the incident and his daughter’s stubbornness even before the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) had finished his presentation and Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) could defend his cause – raised his hand and slapped it… The Prophet stopped him by saying: “I did not want that. » He stood up and washed his young wife’s face and dress with his hands. [Reported by Bukhari]

[…] Many anecdotes have been told to us about Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) in particular. […]

We know that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) entrusted Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) with his most secret projects. For example, in terms of strategy, he sometimes prepared an expedition by only communicating his intentions or the destination to his young wife. To those who then came to question her on this or that subject, she replied that she would not say anything, even to her own father!

As for Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , she loved the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) so much that she was worried whenever he moved away. One day she heard him slipping out in the middle of the night, and to find out where he was going, she followed him; he went to the cemetery to pray for those who had died. Upset, she then said: “I would give the lives of my father and my mother for him! » Often, he fell asleep with his head resting on his knees.

We saw that Sawda (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , having become old, had given up her visiting day to him. Thus, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) spent even more time with ‘Aisha, allowing her to further multiply the opportunities to perfect her knowledge. During the Khaybar expedition, the standard (râyah) of the Prophet was made from the cloak of Aisha. It was black and square.

On the Prophet’s illness
When the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) was stricken with the illness that was to take his life, he continued to successively visit each of his Wives (may Allah be pleased with them) and asked questions every day, saying: “Where would I be I tomorrow? » and this, until the day of his visit to Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , where he remained calm, without asking about the next day.

We are told that from the moment he was immobilized by this illness, he asked the Mothers of the Believers for permission to be treated at ‘Aisha’s house, which they accepted. [Reported by Bukhârî] He was therefore transported from Maymûna’s apartment to that of Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , supported on one side by ‘Ali, on the other by ‘Abbâs.

The illness was getting worse. However, one day he was able to go to the mosque and he spoke to the faithful, invoking Allah (azwadial) at length for the martyrs of Uhud in particular. Then, he gave the order that all the doors leading to the mosque be closed, except that of Abu Bakr ( Radhiallahu anhu ).

He lived his last moments with Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) . We are told that shortly before his death, the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) saw Aisha’s brother enter the room with a stick of miswâk (natural toothbrush). Aisha read in his eyes that he wanted it. She first chewed it a little and rubbed it into his teeth. Then she took his head and placed it in the crook of her shoulder, so that he was as comfortable as possible and that is how he breathed his last.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) reported to us about her last moments that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) repeated: “There is no god except Allah himself. What agony is death. » Then, Aisha heard him say in a barely perceptible voice, “…but with the Highest Companion,” as if he were making a choice.

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) tells us again: “I was young and I didn’t understand anything. In my stupidity, the Prophet breathed his last in my arms and I did not know it. It was only when the other women present started to cry that I understood what had happened…” [Reported by Bukhârî]

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) reported: “He died the same day it was my turn to receive him in my apartment. Allah collected his soul while his head rested between my throat and my chest and my saliva was mixed with his. »[Reported by Bukhari]

The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) was buried there, in Aisha’s room. She continued to live there. Sawda, one of the Wives who died in the year 24 of the Hegira, left him her apartment which was adjoining hers, which allowed Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) to enlarge her home which had become very small due to of the place occupied by the tomb of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam). When, each in turn, Abu Bakr, and later, ‘Umar, left this world, they were both buried near the Prophet.

It is known that when ‘Umar ( Radhiallahu anhu ) was in agony, he sent his son ‘Abdallah to ‘Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , who found her sitting, crying. “’Umar sends you greetings and asks you for permission to be buried with his two Companions. – I would have wanted it for myself, but I give it preference over myself. » […]

After the death of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), she continued to occupy an important place within the Muslim community, despite her youth.

She enjoyed a great reputation. People came to consult her. She was particularly learned in matters of jurisprudence. We are told that a large number of Companions ( Radhiallahu anhu ) came to study Islamic jurisprudence with her. Atâ reported: “Aisha was more learned than any man of her time. »

‘Aisha, with a few other Companions, made Medina one of the most important centers of study in the world at the time. We are still told that the people who had the privilege of studying with her were subsequently among the most brilliant. At the time of their respective caliphates, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar ( Radhiallahu anhu ) came to consult Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) to explain this or that problem they were facing and question her to find out what the “Prophet would have said or done in such circumstances”. […]

When he in turn had become caliph, Mu’âwiya ( Radhiallahu anhu ) questioned him. She gave as a response this hadith from the Messenger of Allah ( Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam ): “He who tries to please Allah, not worrying about the discontent of people, will be protected from the wickedness of people. But he who pleases them people by not caring about God’s displeasure, will be abandoned by Allah and at the mercy of people. »

She had the means to live better because she received, like the other Mothers of the Believers, a pension paid by successive Caliphs. But Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) , who was extremely generous, charged her servant, as soon as she received this pension, to immediately distribute everything to the needy, neglecting to keep anything for herself. When evening came, she said to her servant: “Why didn’t you remind me to save something for dinner this evening? »

So sometimes she didn’t even have enough to eat. She had become so accustomed to a frugal life during her difficult years spent in the house of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam), fasting a lot, that she continued to live in the same way after her disappearance, although the means of the community had improved.

Urwa ( Radhiallahu anhu ) reported that one day he saw Aisha who had received 70,000 dirhams, distributing them to the poor, while she herself was wearing a patched shirt.

A Companion having been moved by the fact that she redistributed to the poor everything she received as time went by, she cried out when she learned: “How? Would my generosity be forbidden? »and of course she continued her practices! [Reported by Bukhari]

One day, she received – at his request – Hassan ibn Thâbit, who had been one of the actors in the slander affair. As people were surprised that she received it, she replied: “Why not. Has he not already been hit with a terrible punishment? » He had, in fact, become blind.

Before she died, while she was in agony, Ibn ‘Abbas ( Radhiallahu anhu ) asked to be received by her. As she hesitated, fearing that he would compliment her, it was pointed out to her that he was the paternal uncle of the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wa salam) and one of the main figures among Muslims. So she received it.

– “How are you,” he asked her? » – “Good, if I fear God,” she replied. » – “You will be well, please God, because you were the Wife of the Messenger of Allah and the only virgin he married. Finally, Revelation recognized you as innocent. »

After this visit, Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) was to say “Ibn ‘Abbas complimented me. I would have preferred that I had been forgotten. »

Aisha (Radia Allahu ‘anha) lived to the age of 67 and died during the month of Ramadan in the year 57 AH, under the caliphate of Mu’âwiya.

She was buried, as she had wished, after the night prayer, in the hour following her death, in the women’s cemetery in Medina, near her companions, the Mothers of the Believers (May Allah be pleased of them) who had preceded her.

Abu Hurayra ( Radhiallahu anhu ) prayed over her with the other Companions ( Radhiallahu anhu ). It was her nephews who placed her in her grave.

May Allah (azwadial) be pleased with Aisha.