This book portrays one of the most significant personalities in the history of Islam. Taking the misunderstandings and defamation about her into consideration, Aisha needs to be understood correctly. This study by Dr Resit Haylamaz, an expert on the life of the Prophet and his leading Companions, reflects her life in various aspects based on reliable reports. The book clarifies her critical role at establishing the Islamic teaching, with particular reference to her role in the transmission of private matters concerning women and marital relations, as well as recording the authentic sayings of the Prophet. As her sensitivity at practicing religion is related in a rich variety of examples, much disputed issues like her marriage age and her stance about Ali ibn Abi Talib are covered as separate topics.

There is much controversy over the number of wives attributed to the Prophet Mohammed: various claims range from four to nine or more. On one point, however, everyone agrees: Aishah was his favourite. The story of this remarkable woman has been concealed or ignored for generations. She lived for several decades after the Prophet's death and was deeply involved in the turbulent political conflict that shaped the early Muslim nation. Certainly, Aishah did not conform to any proscription against women in Islamic public life. Having extensively mined scholarly Arabic source material, Abbott nonetheless tells her story in a popular,narrative style. Aishah is not only a gripping tale, but also an attempt to recover part of the lost history of Muslim women who resisted the restrictions Islam sought to impose on them.

Aisha (ra), the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was an extraordinary human being. She was highly learned and is considered to be one of the foremost scholars of the early Islamic period. She recorded the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and, being a brilliant scholar and an excellent teacher, she explained it with intelligence and insight. Aisha (ra) narrated about 2200 ahadith, which is an amazing achievement for anyone. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Aisha (ra) devoted most of her time to the propagation of Islam, making every effort to spread its message by teaching its tenets. She also took an active part in educational and social reforms. Aisha (ra) is undoubtedly an exemplary figure in the history of Islam and is an inspiration to all.

'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (d. 923/1517) of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic and prolific poet and writer, 'A'ishah composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the twentieth century. Yet despite her extraordinary literary and religious achievements, 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah remains largely unknown. For the first time her key work, The Principles of Sufism, is available in English translation. The Principles of Sufism is a mystical guide book to help others on their spiritual path. She recounts the fundamental stages and states of the spiritual novice’s transformative journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing both human limitations and God’s limitless love. Drawing on lessons and readings from centuries-old Sufi tradition, 'A'ishah advises the seeker to repent of selfishness and turn to a sincere life of love. In addition to his lucid translation, Th. Emil Homerin provides an insightful introduction, notes and a glossary to 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah’s remarkable account of the pursuit of mystical illumination. A bilingual Arabic-English edition.

Certainly, the biography of Sayidah A'isha, the Mother of the Believers, has provoked many a topic to occupy historians, students of the Shariah, as well as those who follow their whims and desires, and continues to do so. Truly in her biography is what is worthy to be studied and defended, against those biased ones that bring about doubts and aspersions. Sayidah A'isha (r) had an unparalleled personality. Through which she occupied a special place in the heart of the Messenger of Allah (s) and in his life. It was as if he had prepared her to be one of the preservers of his knowledge. 2210 hadiths have been narrated by her from the Prophet (s). But that is not all, for she was also accomplished in many sciences and in giving legal judgements (ijtihad). Abu Musa Al-Ashari (r) said about her, "Never did a hadith become difficult upon the Companions of the Messenger (s) to understand, except we would ask A'isha and find knowledge of it with her." This book is a response to some of the disconcerting events of her life, accompanied by evidence, proofs and facts.

This book is about Aisha bint Abu Bakr, who was the beloved wife of the noble Prophet, the daughter of the blessed Prophet's best friend, Abu Bakr and the Mother of the Believers. She is one of the best examples for Muslims to look to for inspiration and her story sheds light on the life of the early Muslims and the Messenger of Allah. Prepared for young readers, the book delivers a life of love, dedication, and struggle. Devoted to the beloved Prophet and to Islam, Aisha spent her life in the service of Allah. She was the best example of helping the poor and needy and giving charity. Together with the noble Prophet, she lived a simple life, fasting and praying constantly and often going without herself. She learned everything from the blessed Prophet and spent her time improving herself religiously. The Messenger of Allah chose to be with her during his final illness, preferring her company to that of anyone else. She looked after him devotedly and after his death, she dutifully spent her time teaching others about Islam to ensure it was practiced correctly. Aisha ensured that many of Allah's Messenger's teachings were passed on so that we can benefit from them today. Her invaluable legacy will be a source of inspiration for Muslims until the end of time.

Aisha al-Ba‘uniyya (c.1456–1517) was one of the greatest women mystics in Islamic history. A Sufi master and an Arab poet, her religious writings were extensive by any standard and extraordinary for her time. In medieval Islam a number of women were respected scholars and teachers, but they rarely composed works of their own. Aisha al-Ba‘uniyya, however, was prolific. She composed over twenty works, and likely wrote more Arabic prose and poetry than any other Muslim woman prior to the twentieth century. The first full-scale biography of al-Ba‘uniyya in the English language, this volume provides a rare glimpse into the life and writings of a medieval Muslim woman in her own words. Homerin presents her work in the wider context of late-medieval Islamic spirituality, examining the influence of figures such as Ibn al-‘Arabi, al-Busiri and Ibn al-Farid, and emphasising the role of the person of the Prophet Muhammad in her spirituality. Aisha al-Ba‘uniyya is a fascinating introduction to a figure described by a sixteenth-century biographer as ‘one of the marvels of her age’.

One of greatest Persian writers of both classical prose and poetry, Sa‘di was revered in his time as a man of great wisdom and passion. Sometimes said to have lived over one hundred years, the body of his work was written in the thirteenth century. Filled with extracts of the poet’s melodious and insightful writing, and critical analysis thereof, this revealing biography examines why he was so idolised until the 1950s, and why since then he has fallen into relative obscurity. Focussing on the themes of both physical and spiritual love stitched through Sa‘di’s writing, as well as the impact of his many years travelling, Katouzian sheds a unique insight on who he calls 'the poet of life, love and compassion'.