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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Aishah in the History of Islam (volume 1) Part Two : 'a'ishah During Caliphates of Abu Bakr and 'umar the Two Sheikhs (elders) Reciprocal Respect 'Umar uses 'A'ishah's house as the consultative assembly's seat where the issue of the caliphate and government should be settled. Text of the book During the whole period of the caliphate of the two Elders, 'A'ishah was shown a particular respect by them.

She, too, in her turn, spared no reverence towards the caliphate and exalted both the caliphs and their position publicly. 115. al-Isabah 3/385-386. Thus her humility and modesty played an important role in winning the submission and consent of the people of the ruling caliph. The caliphs, too, showed no negligence in paying a special respect to her, winning her consent and giving her a preferential treatment over the other wives of the Prophet.

This reciprocal respect continued to be displayed throughout the rule of the two elder caliphs, especially down to the moment of 'Umar's death. Such mutual respect, friendship and modesty are perfectly evident in the last messages exchanged between 'Umar and 'A'ishah.

al-Bukhari says in his book entitled "Fada'il ashab an-Nabi", and Ibn Sa'd in his Tabaqat describes 'Umar's life, quoting 'Amr ibn Maymun, in a long narration116: 'Umar told his son, 'Abd Allah, to visit 'A'ishah and deliver this message: " 'Umar sends his greetings and begs permission to have his body buried after death by the tomb of the Prophet of God and Abu Bakr's." 'Abd Allah, son of 'Umar, asked leave to enter her house and saw her sitting down and weeping.

He delivered his father's message, and she answered: "I had already chosen that site for myself, but I give priority to the caliph." 'Abd Allah carried the answer to his father, and then 'Umar asked: "What news?" He answered: "All went as you wished. She has agreed." 'Umar said: "Thank God!

I had hoped much for this." He chose 'A'ishah's house as the council's seat Ibn 'Abd Rabbih says in al-'Iqd al-farid117: In his talk to six people who had been nominated as candidates for the caliphate, 'Umar had said: "On the approval and permission of 'A'ishah, get together in her house for consultation and choose one from among you as caliph." When 'Umar died and was buried, al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad, on 'A'ishah's permission, assembled the members of the council in her house.