Aqdam أقدام

Companion of the Prophet ﷺ

عائشة بنت أبي بكر

Aisha bint Abi Bakr

Aisha bint Abi Bakr al-Siddiq al-Taymiyyah

Wife of the Prophet and daughter of Abu Bakr, a leading scholar of the first generation who asked, learned and taught.

  • Mother of the Believers
  • al-Siddiqah bint al-Siddiq
Kunya
Umm Abd Allah
Tribe
Quraysh (Banu Taym)
Born
c. 614 CE (approx.), Makkah
Died
58 AH / 678 CE (17 Ramadan), Madinah
Resting place
Al-Baqi cemetery, Madinah
Known as
Mothers of the Believers, Ahl al-Bayt, Scholars, Narrators, Muhajirun

Introduction

Aisha grew up in the house of Abu Bakr and joined the Prophet's household as a young woman. She lived beside him in Madinah and observed his private worship and daily conduct more closely than almost anyone.

After his death she became one of the most respected teachers of the community. Senior companions came to her with questions, and she is credited with more than two thousand narrations. Her habit of asking until she understood is well preserved in the sources.

She was also known for giving even when she had little, and for her devotion to private worship. She died in Madinah in 58 AH and was buried in al-Baqi.

A day in their footsteps

Small, repeatable practices from Aisha bint Abi Bakr's life, each with the sources it rests on.

  1. Asking until she understood

    Whenever she heard something she could not follow, she went back with questions until it was clear. She once pressed the Prophet on how to read a Quran verse about an easy reckoning and was given the answer.

    Do not leave a religious matter half-understood; ask.

    Show the wording

    “Whenever `Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) heard anything which she did not understand, she used to ask again till she understood”

    Sahih al-Bukhari 103

  2. Giving, even when you have only one date

    A woman came begging with her two daughters. Aisha had a single date and gave it. The woman shared it with her daughters and left. The Prophet then taught that kindness to daughters is a shield from the Fire.

    Give what you have, however small.

    Show the wording

    “A lady along with her two daughters came to me asking (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her”

    Sahih al-Bukhari 1418

  3. Making up missed Ramadan fasts in Shaban

    She sometimes missed days of Ramadan and could only make them up in Shaban, because she was occupied serving the Prophet.

    Do not leave missed fasts open; set a date and complete them.

    Show the wording

    “Sometimes I missed some days of Ramadan, but could not fast in lieu of them except in the month of”

    Sahih al-Bukhari 1950

  4. Praying Duha

    She told people that the Prophet did not always pray the forenoon prayer, because he feared it might be made obligatory, but that she herself prayed it.

    Add a short Duha prayer when you can.

    Show the wording

    “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never offered prayer in the forenoon, but I offer it.”

    Sunan Abi Dawud 1293

  5. Seeking the Night of Decree with the right dua

    She asked the Prophet what to say if she were to find Laylat al-Qadr and was taught a short plea for pardon.

    In the last ten nights, say this dua often.

    Show the wording

    “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me (Allāhumma”

    Jami at-Tirmidhi 3513

Virtues

Timeline

  1. c. 614 CEBorn in Makkah to Abu Bakr.
  2. c. 620-623 CEMarried the Prophet; she joined his home in Madinah after the Hijra.
  3. 656 CE / 36 AHPresent at the Battle of the Camel.
  4. After 11 AHTaught the community and transmitted the Prophet's practice.
  5. 58 AH / 678 CEDied in Madinah and was buried in al-Baqi.

Sources

Hadith links go to sunnah.com and Quran links to quran.com. Grades are those shown there.

About this page. This material is compiled from public sources and is pending scholar review. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us on the support page.

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