A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Aisha
AISHA, or AYESHA, third Wife of Mahomet. Died 671, aged 67.
The daughter of Abdallah, afterwards caliph, from her named Abubeker, Father of the Girl; since Mahomet, whose two first wives were widows, married her when she was very young; and, as she had a fine understanding, caused her to be instructed in all the learning of the Arabs, so that she became both eloquent and accomplished, and had such influence over the mind of her husband, that, though she was accused of infidelity by many, particularly by Ali, a kinsman of Mahomet's, and one whom he had distinguished by the name of the Faithful Witness, he would not resolve to part with her; but composed a chapter in the Koran, to declare her innocence, and assure his followers that all reports to the contrary were calumnies.
Her authority was very great among the Mahometans. After the death of their chief, they called her the Prophetess, and Mother of the Faithful. She was the living oracle of the sect, which consulted her in all difficult points, in order to learn what had been the sense of their legislator. Her answers were received as oracles, and have always passed since as authentic traditions amongst them. All those which compose their Sunna, were, according to them, from Aisha, or from some one of the ten companions of Mahomet: but Aisha's authority is esteemed the most authentic.
With respect to the government of the state, she took upon herself to condemn the caliphOthman, of impiety; though she afterwards made war with Ali, whom she had twice before disappointed of the caliphate, to revenge his death, and marched against him at the head of thirty thousand men. She was, hovever, defeated, taken prisoner by Ali, and afterwards sent back by him to Medina, where she died, under the caliphate of Moawihah, and was buried with her husband.