Ayeshah

Ayeshah (also Aysa or Aisha), the favourite wife of Mohammed, and daughter of Abu-Bekr, was born at Medina about 610 A.D.; and was only nine years of age when the Prophet married her. She was the only one of Mohammed's wives who accompanied him in his campaigns. Although Ayeshah bore no children to Mohammed, she was tenderly beloved by him. She was accused of adultery, but Mohammed produced a revelation from heaven (now in the Koran) to the effect that she was innocent. Mohammed expired in her arms (632). She now successfully exercised her influence to prevent Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law, from becoming calif, and secured the succession for her father, Abu-Bekr. Again on Othman's death she headed a force to resist the accession of Ali, but the troops under her were in 656 defeated by Ali, and she was taken prisoner. She died at Medina (677 A.D.), highly venerated by all true Mussulmans, and named the Prophetess and the Mother of Believers.