Camel Warrior

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[ # The fact is a wife of the Prophet fought a companion of the Prophet.
The question is, whether or not it is allowed for a women, especially wife of the Prophet, to command an army go to war with Imam Ali?

Also, can this fight be by a mistake?

Lets read how Sunni try to clutch at straws.]


Battle of the Camel
Shias claim as regards to Aisha that she left her house to fight Ali in the Battle of the Camel.

The truth is that both Umm Al Mumineen (Mother of the Believers) Aisha and Amir Al Mumineen (Commander of the Believers) Ali were innocent of the Fitnah during the Battle of the Camel (al-Jamal).

Let us see what Al-Tijani, the popular Shia scholar and writer, has to say on the issue. Al-Tijani says:

“We may ask a few questions about the war of al-Jamal, which was instigated by Umm al-Mumineen Aishah, who played an important role in it…how could Aishah allow herself to declare war on the caliph of the Muslims, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, who was the master of all Muslims? As usual, our scholars, with some simplicity, answer us that she did not like Imam Ali because he advised the Messenger of Allah to divorce her in the incident of al-Ifk…” (Then I was Guided, p. 117)

Shia scholars allege that the entire Battle of the Camel was over “hurt feelings” in which a vengeful woman was hurt and she got hundreds of people to fight over this.

Aisha’s Intention

Aisha’s intention for leaving her house was sincere and pure. She left to make peace between two factions of Muslims, namely the Umayyads and the Shia’t Ali. This is 100% in line with Allah’s commands in the Quran:

“If two parties amongst the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against the other, then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it complies with the Command of Allah; but if it complies, then make peace between them with justice, and be fair: for Allah loves those who are fair (and just). The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers.” (Quran, 49:9-10)

Aisha said in no uncertain terms: “I only wanted reformation.” (Shatharat Al-Thahab, vol.1, p.42)

Ibn Al-Arabi explains that “her presence in the Battle of the Camel was not for war, but people…complained to her about the affliction. They hoped for her blessing in the reformation [between Muslims], and they wanted that the fighting factions would be ashamed when she is present with them and stop fighting. She also thought that. So she left her house to represent what Allah says ‘If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel, make ye peace between them.’”

It should be noted that most people alive during the Battle of the Camel respected the Prophet’s widow, namely because she was the First Lady of Islam, the Mother of the Believers, and the Prophet’s lover. As such, she carried a great respect, and people listened to her. So it was not at all strange that she would think to use her influence to end the conflict between the Muslims.

Aisha’s intentions were to prevent warfare; she even advised people to stay at home instead of adding to the Fitnah. Aisha said: “I came out to reform between people. Therefore, tell your people to stay at their house, and to be content until they get what they love, i.e. the reformation of the Muslims’ matter.” (Book of the Trustworthy, by Ibn Habban, vol.2, p.282)

If Aisha thought that leaving her house was the only way to save Muslim lives, then it would not only be Halal for her to leave her house but no doubt it would be Wajib (obligatory).

[ So it was mandatory for Aisha to fight Ali ]

Even if we accept that Aisha went out to fight Ali, then verse 49:9-10, shows that two believers, even two of the most righteous Mu’mins on earth, can get in disagreements that become violent. This does not mean that one party must necessarily be right and the other party must be the devil. Both Aisha and Ali had legitimate viewpoints. Aisha cannot be blamed for wanting Qisas for Uthman’s murderers, a right granted by Shariah. And Ali cannot be blamed for delaying Qisas because he was trying to prevent more Fitnah.

The Shia say that Aisha was complicit in the murder of Uthman, and that she used his murder as an excuse to fight Ali.

In Nahjul Balagha, one of the “sayings” of Ali is the following: “They [i.e. Aisha] are demanding of me a right [i.e. Qisas] which they have abandoned, and a blood that they have themselves shed.” (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 22)

Shias say Aisha rejoiced when Uthman was killed. But then she heard the news that Ali was the new Caliph, and she was supposedly mortified. To quote Al-Tijani, the famous Shia scholar and writer:

“We may ask a few questions about the war of al-Jamal, which was instigated by Umm al-Mumineen Aishah, who played an important role in it…how could Aishah allow herself to declare war on the caliph of the Muslims, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, who was the master of all Muslims? As usual, our scholars, with some simplicity, answer us that she did not like Imam Ali because he advised the Messenger of Allah to divorce her in the incident of al-Ifk…” (When I was Guided, p. 117)

Sunnis say if Aisha had publically advocated Uthman’s murder and she was complicit in his murder, then why would she later be “allied” with Muawiyyah, who also fought with Ali.

Why would Muawiyyah murder his own cousin, especially the cousin who bestowed upon him favor upon favor.


Al-Tijani further alleges:

“How could Umm al-Mu’mineen Aishah leave her house in which Allah had ordered her to stay, when the most High said: ‘And stay in your houses and do not display your finery like the displaying of the ignorance of yours…’ (Quran, Verse 33:33)” (When I was Guided, p. 117)

Aisha did not leave her house displaying her finery!

Even after the Prophet’s death, the Prophet’s widows performed Hajj.

It is narrated that Umar gave Uthman or Abdul-Rahman bin Owf the leadership of the caravan carrying the Prophet’s widows. “Accordingly, if it is allowed for the Prophet’s wives to travel for a benefit, then Aisha thought that by her departure a reformation of the Muslims could happen [and Muslim lives would be saved]. She interpreted it in that matter.” (Minhaj Al-Sunnah, vol.4, p.317-318)

[So it was Umar who first let Aisha loose and got her out of her home.]

Conclusion

The reality is that Aisha, Talha, Zubair, Muawiyyah, and hundreds of other people wanted Ali to apprehend Uthman’s killers who were in his camp. Ali always planned on doing this, and it is likely that he would have agreed to Aisha’s request to speed up the process. Uthman’s killers did not want this, and they attacked Aisha’s envoy on its way to Medinah, thereby initiating the Battle of the Camel and saving their own skin.

By: Ibn al-Hashimi, http://www.ahlelbayt.com/

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