HSC A'isha

Question 1

What is A’isha’s full name?

Answer 1

A’isha bint Abu Bakr

Question 2

What age did she live during?

Answer 2

Lived during the age of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), where women were seen as second class
- Impacts today as she demonstrates that women are an essential part of society - and their status is not inferior to men

Question 3

When/where did A’isha live?

Answer 3

Lived in 7th century Saudi Arabia
Born in 614

Question 4

How did she contribute to the development of Islam? (Hadith)

Answer 4

• Narrated 2210 hadith - Well-versed in Hadith literature (‘scholar of scholars’)
• Didn’t just transmit the knowledge –> but interpreted it, which aids in understanding and contextually applying it
• The prophet’s sayings and practices were preserved
• Her knowledge surrounding the Hadith enabled her to hold the Prophet accountable, so he is being true to Allah

‘She had no hesitation in opposing or contradicting him, he whose word was all powerful among the Muslims’ - Muslim scholar Saadawi

Question 5

A’isha as an example of female Muslim behaviour

Answer 5

Well respected → given the title Umm al-Umma (mother of the Islamic community)

Question 6

A’isha introduction (women’s rights)

Answer 6

Aisha’s roles as a religious, political and military leader provides evidence and inspiration for women’s rights in Islam, promoting equality and significant central roles for women in the Islamic Ummah

Question 7

Dry ablution

Answer 7

A’isha contributed to the expression of Dry Ablution ‘Tayammum’ - the Islamic dry purification ritual using sand or dust

Question 8

Expression of A’isha for Islam (marriage)

Answer 8

• A’isha was a role model for the ritual of marriage
• She was deeply connected to the Prophet, founding the marriage on love, respect and understanding
• The Prophet depicted her as a role model within their marriage as she held, ‘the values needed to influence the sisterhood of Muslim women’.

Question 9

Impact of A’isha on Islam (inspirational commitment to Islam)

Answer 9

• Islam grounds itself in the deep knowledge and education of its sacred texts
• A’isha had an inquisitive nature, “Whenever A’isha heard anything which she did not understand, she asked again until she understood it” (Al-Bukhari)
• This encourages others to seek reasoning and justification surrounding the sacred texts
• It models curiosity and profound commitment to understand the teachings of Islam

Question 10

A’isha introduction

Answer 10

A’isha bint Abu Bakr was a woman, leader, wife, theologian, scholar and political activist. She is a prominent continuing influence on Muslims, particularly Sunni Muslims

Question 11

A’isha expression (women’s rights)

Answer 11

• A’isha played a role in eliminating the pre-Islamic habits of people during the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyya)
• ‘She was given the title Umm al-Umma’ (Mother of believers) - A’isha’s mother –> Well respected –> Uplifts the status of women
• Shaping how women engage with their faith –> fostering commitment as they are valued in society

Question 12

Contemporary example (Muslim Women Australia)

Answer 12

• Established in 1983, MWA is committed to fairness, equality and justice for women from various backgrounds
• Linking Hearts - A domestic violence and homelessness support service
  
  • Holistic support on prevention and early intervention through meetings

Question 13

Contemporary example (Women banned from attending university)

Answer 13

• The Taliban has banned women from attending university in Afghanistan
• “suspend education for women”, according to a TOLO news report.
• “Seeking knowledge is a duty on every Muslim.“ (Hadith)