From Br. Kaukab Siddique
Anniversary of Greatest Woman of
Islam:
‘Ayesha Siddiqa (r.a.), Leader,
Teacher, Orator, Poet
Sura 24 was Revealed for her, sanctifying Women's rights Greatest
Hadith
Narrator
Hadith on Daughter's Honor, Love, Respect Narrated by her
[Also Hadith on staying away from meetings of the Rich]
‘Ayesha (r.a.) passed away on
Ramadan
17, 58th year of Hijra, on
Wednesday night when she was 66 years old. She was buried at night in
Baqi'.
So many people came out for her funeral as were never seen there,
including
so many women as you see only on
Eid.
The prayer was lead by Abu
Huraira (r.a.).[Ibn Sa'ad's Tabqat.]
The blessed daughter of Abu Bakr (r.a.), the most beloved wife of the
Prophet (pbuh), has too many qualities and achievements to be summed up in
any book, let alone a brief email such as this. [For an introduction, see
article "The Example of ‘Ayesha (r.a.)" in my book ISLAM AND
REVOLUTION, published 1981.]
Allah Almighty Himself honored ‘Ayesha the Exalted (r.a.) by
revealing Sura Noor (Light), chapter 24 of the Qur'an when the
hypocrites of
Madina tried to slander her. Imam Bukhari's SAHIH as well as just about
every Tafseer of the Qur'an (for example Ibn Kathir's Tafseer) gives the
details of this incident.)
The attempt to slander ‘Ayesha (r.a.) turned into a defeat for the
hypocrites as Sura Noor came down to protect the rights of women. The
Qur'an,
chapter 24, laid down the law against those who try to slander innocent
young women who are sometimes indiscreet or careless. The Qur'an says:
"And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and produce not
four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with 80 stripes,
and reject their evidence ever after, for such men are wicked transgressors
...." [24:4]
The sura, important for Islamic law, also brought equality in
punishment for men and women caught in fornication. [In the Age of
Ignorance,
men were not punished.] The sura rejected the unilateral right of a
husband
to be judge and jury in case he believes his wife has transgressed his
sexual
rights (a movement forward from or in abrogation of a part of 4:34) and
condemned slander against women (which men often use as a weapon to put
down women).
All narrators agree that one who insults ‘Ayesha (r.a.) even in his
mind and dirty soul cannot be a Muslim. From the specific case of
‘Ayesha (r.a.), the Qur'an moves to the general rule:
"Those who slander chaste, indiscreet and believing women are cursed in
this life and in the Herafter: for them is a grievous chastisemen- on
the Day when their hands and their feet will bear witness against them as to
their actions." [24:23-24]
The Prophet's (pbuh) wisdom in marrying ‘Ayesha (r.a.) when she was
very young bore fruit because she lived for many years after him. She
became
the leader of men and women, teaching and directing them to the purity of
Islam transmitted to her by the Prophet (pbuh) himself in his own home.
She became one of the greatest narrators of Hadith. Most scholars agree
that her Hadith narrations are essential to a proper understanding of the
Qur'an.
Al-Imam al-Hafiz, Jalaluddin Abdur Rahman bin Abu Bakr as-Siyuti (died
911 H) writes in his MUSNAD Ummul Mumineen ‘Ayesha, radi Allah ‘unha
min jawamah al-kabeer fil hadith:
"All the scholars of Hadith, both the early ones and the later ones,
absolutely agree that the Mother of the Believers, ‘Ayesha Siddiqa,
daughter
of the Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddiq, Allah be pleased with him, was among
the among those sahaba (companions) of the Prophet (pbuh) who are
considered senior and scholars of analytical ability. In fact the Sahaba
themselves used
to come into her Presence to inquire about deep issues of the religion
and to find answers to matters which required solutions in matters of the
faith."
He goes on to quote Hadith proving ‘Ayesha's leadership in Islam and
concludes: "She was comprehensive in her knowledge, unique in her
understanding, and a mujtahid (one who breaks new ground in religious
teaching) in Islamic issues. She was indeed the epitome of learning and
teaching."
"‘Ali ibn Mashar narrates: I did not see anyone who knew more than
‘Ayesha, r.a., of the Qur'an, faraid (obligations), halal and haram,
poetry, Arabic literature and geneology."
[Remember, dear readers, that ‘Ali was narrating this at a time when
Islamic knowledge was at its height.]
--------------------------------
AN IMPORTANT HADITH from ‘Ayesha (r.a.) relates to the honor, love and
respect the Prophet (pbuh) gave to his daughter Fatima (r.a.) which
teaches us how all good Muslims should treat their daughters:
"I have not seen a person more similar to the Prophet's appearance,
conduct, guidance and speech, whether sitting or standing, than Fatima.
When she enters (his home), the Messenger of Allah STANDS UP, kisses and
welcomes
her, then takes her hand and asks her to sit in his place." [Jami'
Tirmidhi]
As a lowly servant of Allah, I am blessed to be enlightened by ‘Ayesha
(r.a.) of the honor Islam gives to women. I will conclude by quoting a
revolutionary Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) narrated by ‘Ayesha (r.a.):
"O ‘Ayesha! If you want to meet me (in the Hereafter) then think of the
world only as a traveler's respite and DO NOT SIT IN THE MEETINGS OF
THE RICH and do not consider clothes old till they are worn out ...." (Ibn
Sa'ad's Tabqat)
-------------------------------------------------------
I urge Imams and teachers to speak of the leadership and scholarship of
‘Ayesha the blessed in this purifying month of Ramadan so that the evil
of male chauvinism and gender superiority may be exorcised.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002-11-20 Wed 00:08ct