Resentment Towards Ali
The negative Shi'a view of Aisha largely stems from Aisha’s resentment towards Ali and the Ahl al-bayt in general. The Alh al-bayt is defined by Shi'as as Muhammad, his daughter Fatima, her husband Ali, and their two sons Hasan and Husayn. They do not include Muhammad's wives in this category.
Aisha's feelings towards Ali developed when she was accused of adultery. Muhammad took Aisha on a campaign against a Bedouin tribe when she was thirteen years old. Aisha noticed she lost her necklace during a caravan rest stop and retraced her steps to find the piece of jewelry. When she returned, Aisha realized she was mistakenly left behind. Aisha returned to Medina escorted on a camel by a young man, which quickly led to gossip and speculation. Muhammad was deeply affected by this occurrence and turned to others for advice. The harshest opinion came from the Prophet's cousin Ali who said, “There are women enough, you could make another her successor” and he suggested that the Prophet divorce Aisha. Aisha never forgave Ali for that statement, which caused the deep resentment towards Ali that continued when he tried to become Muhammad’s successor. Although Sunnis believe that Allah revealed Aisha's innocence in the following verse
Lo! they who spread the slander are a gang among you. Deem it not a bad thing for you; nay, it is good for you. Unto every man of them (will be paid) that which he hath earned of the sin; and as for him among them who had the greater share therein, his will be an awful doom.
Shias believe that this verse was about Maryam the Copt instead of Aisha, and so the charge against her has never been cleared.
Shi'a supported the advancement of Ali in the political world and disregarded Aisha because of her feelings towards Ali. The Shi'a preferred Ali over the first three caliphs; they never accepted Mu’awiya or any later caliphs, and Shi'a took the name shi’at Ali, or Ali’s Party. Shi'a also regarded Ali to be the most judicious of the Companions. The early Shi'a deemed Ali and his descendents to have rights to leadership based on their relationship to the Prophet, their designation by the Prophet as his successors, along with their knowledge and religious insight.
Read more about this topic: Shi'a View Of Aisha
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