She is Aa'ishah, the daughter of Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) (see his lineage in this article) through Umm Roomaan bint Aamir bin Uwaymir bin Abd Shams bin Itaab bin Udhaynah bin Subay' bin Dahmaan bin al-Haarith bin al-Ghanam bin Maalik al-Kinaaniyyah, and she was born after the messengership by around four years or so.

The Virtues of Aa'ishah: Part 1

The Hadeeth of Aa'ishah

Al-Bukhari narrates in Kitab Fadaa'il al-Sahaabah in "Chapter: The Excellence of Aa'isah (may Allaah be pleased with her)" from Aa'ishah (radiallaahu anhaa) who said, "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said one day, 'O Aa'ish, this is Jibreel he is giving salutations to you' so I said, 'Wa alayhis salaam wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuhu, you (O Prophet) see that which I do not', she meant the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) [seeing Jibreel]." (no. 3557).

The Hadeeth of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari

Al-Bukhari narrates in Kitab Fadaa'il al-Sahaabah in "Chapter: The Excellence of Aa'isah (may Allaah be pleased with her)" from Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (radiallaahu anhu) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Many men have reached perfection but none reached perfection from the women except Maryam bint Imraan (mother of Eesaa), Aasiyah, the wife of Fir'awn, and the excellence of Aa'ishah over all the women is like the excellence of al-Thareed (a type of food, bread with vegetable or meat broth) over all other foods." (no. 3558). The last part of hadeeth is also reported from Anas bin Malik (no. 3559).

The Hadeeth of al-Qaasim bin Muhammad

Al-Bukhari narrates in Kitab Fadaa'il al-Sahaabah in "Chapter: The Excellence of Aa'isah (may Allaah be pleased with her)" From al-Qaasim bin Muhammad that Aa'ishah fell ill and Ibn 'Abbaas came and said, "O Mother of the Believers you are proceeding on to the truthful forerunners, to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) and Abu Bakr."

This is an evidence that Aa'ishah (radiallaahu anhu) was guaranteed Paradise, as explained Ibn Hajar al-Asqalaani, since Ibn 'Abbaas would not say this unless it came through al-Tawqif (revelation).

The Hadeeth of Shu'bah bin al-Hakam

Al-Bukhari narrates in Kitab Fadaa'il al-Sahaabah in "Chapter: The Excellence of Aa'isah (may Allaah be pleased with her)" From Abu Waa'il who said: When Ali dispatched Ammaar (bin Yaasir) and al-Hasan to al-Kufah in order to prepare them (for situation of battle), Ammaar gave a sermon and said, "Verily I know that she (Aa'ishah) is his (the Prophet's) wife in this life and the hereafter, but Allaah has put you to trial to see if you would follow Him (Allaah's law) or her."

This is in the context of the events prior to the Battle of al-Jamal, when Aa'ishah, Talhah and Zubair set out for al-Basrah for two reasons, two bring about reconciliation between the people and to ensure the law of al-Qisaas (retribution) is implemented upon the murderers of Uthmaan (radiallaahu anhu). And as for Ali (radiallaahi anhu) his intent was to unite everybody and bring them all under his obedience as a means of rectification and from there to pursue the murderers of Uthmaan. However, the Sab'iyyah who concealed themselves in the army of Ali (radiallaahu anhu) caused fighting to break out, and each of the two parties thought they were merely defending themselves. Refer to more elaboration of this in the beginning of this article.

The Hadeeth of Aa'ishah and the Ruling of Tayammum

Al-Bukhari narrates in Kitab Fadaa'il al-Sahaabah in "Chapter: The Excellence of Aa'isah (may Allaah be pleased with her)" From Aa'ishah (radiallaahu anhaa) who said that she borrowed a necklace from Asmaa' and it was lost. So Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) sent some of his companions to look for it. During their journey the time of prayer was due and they prayed without ablution. When they returned to the Prophet they complained about it. So the verse of al-Tayammum (dry ablution) was revealed. Usayd bin Hudayr said (to Aa'ishah), "May Allah reward you handsomely. By Allah, whenever an affair has befallen you, Allah took you out of it and made within it a blessing for the Muslims."

Summary

Aa'ishah (radiallaahu anhaa):

• Was given salaam (salutations) by Jibreel (alayhis salaam).
• Has an excellence over all other women.
• Was given a guarantee of Paradise through the statement of numerous companions (Ibn Abbaas, Ammaar bin Yaasir)
• Brought benefit to the Muslims in their religion due to revelation and guidance being revealed on account of her.