Eventually when ‘Uthman was killed[^1]...

Eventually when ‘Uthman was killed[^1], ‘A’ysha became elated; however when she saw that authority was now in the hands of ‘Ali (a.s.), she became extremely upset since Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) was known for his meticulousness when it came to maintaining justice, and because of this the plots that ‘A’ysha made would not take shape, so she began to harbor even deeper animosity in her heart for the Imam.

Al-Tabari in his book of history, Al-Umam wal Muluk , Ibn Sa’d in his book Al-Tabaqat , and Ibn Athir in his book Al-Kamil have all stated: When the news reached ‘A’ysha about the martyrdom of ‘Ali (a.s.) she became elated, went into prostration (sajdah) to thank Allah, and then out of the joy that she felt, recited the following words of poetry: فَأَلْقَتْ عَصَاهَا وَاسْتَقَرَّبِهَا النَّوَى كَمَا قَرَّ عَيْناً بِالإِيَابِ الْمُسَافِرِ He dropped his staff and found comfort and ease; Just as the person who is elated when his beloved returns from a journey.

Thus, she wanted to say that her state of grief was finally and she found tranquility in her heart [at the death of Imam ‘Ali (a.s.)]! Even more mindboggling than this was that she began to praise Ibn Muljim, and when Zaynab the daughter of Umm Salama heard this, she condemned ‘A’ysha at which point she (‘A’ysha) realized what she had done, and albeit merely pretending to be remorseful, apologized and said: I was completely unaware of what I was doing! Anytime this happens, please remind me!

(At this point in time, ‘A’ysha was nearly 50 years old.) One of the most astonishing episodes in the life of ‘A’ysha was her rapid change of attitude in regards to ‘Uthman. According to the [Sunni scholar] Ibn Abi al-Hadid: Whoever reviews the books of history will see things clearly written that ‘A’ysha was one of the most staunch opponents of ‘Uthman.

She was the first person to ever use the word “نعثل” [na’thal] in regards to him when she said: أُقْتُلُوا نَعْثَلاً قَتَلَ اللَّهُ نَعْثَلاً Kill the na’thal! May Allah kill the na’thal! The meaning of na’thal is an old, foolish man and meant a man with a long, full beard. In some references, it is noted that the word na’thal also refers to a Jewish man who has an exceptionally long beard - however it is not clear why ‘A’ysha used this word to describe ‘Uthman.

In any case, when ‘A’ysha heard that following the death of ‘Uthman, the people had chosen ‘Ali (a.s.) as this leader, she said: If what I hear is true, then I wish that the sky would fall down upon me!

✦ ✦ ✦