Why did Ayesha battle with Ali (a.s) in the Battle of the Camel (Jamal)

Question

Many Sunni references point to the fact that Ayesha, along with some of the companions of the Prophet (saws) such as Talha and Zubair entered into a battle with Ali (a.s).

References :
History (Tarikh) of al-Tabari, Events of year 36 AH
History of Ibn al-Athir, v3, page 120
Usdul Ghabah, v2, page 252
Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim, v3, page 169 and page 371

What was the reasoning behind this?

Answer 1

Battle of the Camel - A Sunni Perspective

Abdullah bin Saba' al-Yahoodi and his followers the Sab'iyyahs started a revolt against Uthmaan (radiallahu anhu) under the pretext of "social injustice". They had mobilized a large contingent from Egypt, Kufah and Basrah and they converged at Al-Madinah and coordinately caused the siege of Al-Madinah and eventually the killing of Uthmaan (radiallahu anhu).

Following the murder of Uthmaan (radiallahu anhu), Ali (radiallahu anhu) was given the pledge of allegiance and some of the Companions wanted the murderers of Uthmaan (radiallahu anhu) to be sought out and brought to justice. However, the number of these people (around 2000 from Iraq and Egypt) was too overwhelming for Ali (radiallahu anhu) to do anything. So, to prevent further bloodshed and turmoil, Ali (radiallahu anhu) decided to wait till the situation stabilizes and the leadership is unified. He decided to pursue after the murderers after that. At the same time, the murderers started to mingle among the people of Madinah, concealing themselves because they knew some of the companions would seek revenge for the murder immediately. Talha and Zubayr (radiallahu anhumaa) and Aaishah (radiallahu anha) from Makkah were from those who wanted to take the revenge. They differed on this matter with Ali (radiallahu anhu) and were a little discontent that a immediate justice was not sought. Later Talha and Zubayr (radiallahu anhumaa) met Aaisha (radiallahu anha) and they left for Basra to bring a reconciliation for this discord between them and Ali (radiallahu anha). When Ali heard of this, he travelled with a large contingent in order to meet up with Talhah, Zubayr and Aa'ishah, and his intent was to come to an understanding between himself and the other party on this matter, to bring all under his obedience, and decide how to proceed in dealing with the perpetrators. The companion Ammaar bin Yaasir (radiallaahu anhu) was given responsibility in getting this contingent together and it was here he made his famous remark, as is recorded by al-Bukhari and others,

"She (Aa'ishah) is his (the Prophet's) wife in this life and the hereafter, however, Allaah has put you to trial to see if it is Him you obey or her." [Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 88, Number 220]

The Sab'iyyah, realizing that they were in trouble concealed themselves among the contigent of Ali. When they saw that the these two groups of Companions were coming together in Basrah and were to gain some understanding and to unify the word of the Muslims, and this would lead to them being apprehended sooner or later, they split into two when in Basrah and some slipped into the camp of Talhah, Zubayr and Aa'ishah, and the others remained with Ali. The intent was to stir up matters and cause more turmoil, and so in the camp of Talhah and Zubayr the Sab'iyyah stirred up the issue of revenge for Uthmaan and in the camp of Ali, they initiated an attack upon Talhah and Zubayr. In the heat of those moments of confusion, each party thought they were being wrongly attacked by the other and they thought they were simply defending themselves from the agression of the other party. The historians like al-Tabari (that you referred in the question) and others mention that this fighting was instigated by these evil Sab'iyyah in order to prevent the conciliation between the Companions.

You can read the mention of Sab'iyyah in several books (even Shi'ite books like Al-Kafee) which is quoted in the below links :

The Ahl Al-Bayt Were Harmed, Grieved and Also Killed by the Shia of Al-Kufah

Battle of the Camel

Shi'ite Authorities on the Existence and Reality of Abdullah Bin Saba'

Answer 2

(shia view)

The short Answer is because she wanted to her cousin Talha from her own tribe become Caliph after Uthman. also for his envy with Ali as (Al-Shaykh Al-Mufid have collected historical evidences of her envy to Ali as for example when she heard news of killing Ali as did Sajdah Shukr from happiness)

The detailed answer is:

(this answer is a summary translated from below links. if you need more details and more references for each part let me know or ask as a separate question)

Shia and sunni writers have different view in this war because Aisha is highly regarded in sunni view. Aisha is respected in shia view and even shia scholars have issued any insult to her is Haram but she is not regarded as high rank sahaba and she is critiqued in shia Islam.

The Caliphet of Uthman was two part. at first part he was respected by Muslims and specially Aisha supported him. but at second part he distributed power among his relatives and given them much gifts that made Musims angry. when Umar was Caliph paid 12,000 Dirhams governmental salary each month to Aisha. but when Uthman became Caliph after some times had some conflicts with Aisha and cut this salary. Aisha then said Uthman has became Kafir and should be killed. because of this fitwa of Aisha Muslims collected and seized home of Uthman and Uthman did not have water in his home. Ali as and his sons protected home of Uthman and delivered water to Uthman. but the group of Muslims (Ali as was not among them) finally killed Uthman and his dead body was remained on ground for 3 days and no one did any funeral for him. finally Muslims left his body at the place of rubbishes at out of city and his grave became there. at next years Muaviyeh extended the cemetery of Medina to include grave of Uthman inside cemetery.

Also when Imam Ali sa became Caliph Muaviyeh sent two letter to Talha and Zubair and called them "Amir ul-Mumenin" and said them the people of Basra and Kufa want to you be their governors so soon come and take control of these two city before Ali as get them. they came to Ali as and asked him to give them government of Kufa and Basra because they helped Imam to clean cities from corrupted governors. but Imam Ali as did not accept and said them you are not qualified for this position. so they got angry and went to Mecca with excuse of Hajj to prepare army and occupy Kufa and Basra and get power with support of Muaviyeh.

When Aisha heard new of killing of Uthman she was at Mecca for Hajj and became happy and because she loved to Talha from her tribe become Caliph and always wished this started moving to Medina to make Talha Caliph. at middles of way (at Serf) she met Ibn Umm Kilab and she heard news of people selecting Ali as as Caliph and so Aisha got angry of this and backed to Mecca and said I will venge killing of Uthman from his killers. Mecca ebcame the center of all who had opposition with Ali as including corrupted governors of Uthman who Ali as had been unset them. they paid cost of war against Ali as. some of them were: Abdullah Ibn Rabiah governor of Sanas, Yemen. Ya'li Ibn Umayyah, one of commanders of Uthman and others.

The army of Mecca moved until they reached a place called Hawab. Aisha ordered backing and said prophet said one day to his wives: one of you will pass hawab and dogs will Bark on her. O Aisha take you not be her.

But others did not accept to back. Abdullah Ibn Zubair testified here is not Hawab and finally Aisha continued. (Aisha was leader of army and was riding on Camel) they stopped at Basre and occupied there and killed many including governor and took governmental monies.

The war started and Ali as said: I heard prophet said this war is up until Camel is up. take down the Camel. many were protecting the Camel. when they take down the Camel war finished.

Ali as said to Aisha: did prophet said you do such things? she replied: now that you have won forgive me.

Ali as sent Aisha with some female guards but in cloth of men to protect her and no one bother her at way. Aisha said them Ali sent me with men. they showed their faces and said we are women.

Ali as was very sad that Talha and Zubair who were good supporters of prophet at his life were killed in such war and he recited dead prayer to killed people of Basra war and his own army also then. near 20,000 Muslims from both sides were killed in this war. he also ordered to all properties of people of Basra taken by army of Aisha be backed to them unless those having governmental marks. prophet had been predicted many times that Ali as will fight Nakesin and Qasetin and Mareqin and sahaba always were interested to know who will be them. the Camel war was fight with Nakesin.

References:

http://www.hawzah.net/FA/articleview.html?ArticleID=8571 (107 historical references are mentioned at end of this article)

http://www.tebyan.net/newindex.aspx?pid=3056

Answer 3

Caution about this issue

Either side of the debate should realize that we are dealing with a very divisive issue. We are talking about Ali(ra) the cousin of the Prophet(pbuh) AND Ayesha (ra) the wife of the Prophet(pbuh).

Both of them have more rights over the Prophet(pbuh) than probably anyone of us since both sides are the family of the Prophet(pbuh).

Islamic history VS Muslim history

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.(Quran 5:3)

When the above verse was revealed, "deen was perfected" and "Allah's favor was completed". Anything that happened after would be considered "Muslim History" rather than "Islamic History".

Here one must remember that I am not trying discredit either side's history rather seeking common ground in the "Islamic History" over "Muslim history".

No benefits in Resolution of this issue

We all know that this issue has not been resolved by big scholars of Islam and it will only get uglier as time goes by (unless Allah wills), but we must understand its resolution is NOT important to how we practice our faith.

The crisis that we face today is not what happened 1400 years ago, rather preventing ourselves from drowning into sins like riba, zina, smoking, drugs and alcohol. All of these are grave sins according to both sides and people of BOTH sides cannot claim victory on these issues.

People who dispute this issue are like "bald men fighting for a comb". There is nothing they can do with the comb even if they win the comb.

Silence is Golden

Islam frowns upon speaking ill of those that have passed away without evidence or witnesses. The reason for this is .... those not present today cannot defend themselves of any accusations laid and their affair is with Allah.

Either side of this debate were not witnesses to this issue (since it was years ago) and narratives of either side are not part of the Quran and do not carry the promise to be "guarded from corruption" hence cannot be used as evidence.

PS: I know I have risked -1s from both sides, but Islam exhorts me to speak the truth.

Answer 4

(Sunnah view, I guess)

Well, this will be quite the story. My reference shall be the documentary series aired in Ramadan 1432 Hijri. (Al-Hassan Wa Al-Hussain [RA]).

First, to give you a complete idea about the situation, what were Ayesha (RA), Talha (RA) and Zubair (RA) doing? Where where they?

It all began with the murder of the Caliph Othman bin Affan (RA). He happens to be a relative to Moawiya bin Abi Sofyaan (RA) (Ruler of Al-Shaam [Syria, Jordon, Palestine ... etc.] and Ayesha (RA). So naturally, they, above all other Muslims, felt the need to pass judgment on these murderers promptly, before doing anything else. However, the murderers have already left Madina Al-Munawara (were they killed the Caliph) and went towards the east to Iraq.

EDIT:

Ayesha (RA) took some of the Caliphs belongings, that had blood on them, and sent them to Muaviyeh (RA) so he can help pass justice on the murderers.. She (RA) was against the Murderers!

EDIT END

After the death of the Caliph, there were two main issues:

1. Appointing a new Caliph.
2. Passing judgment on the murderers (whose numbers exceeded 100).

Ali bin Abi Talib (RA) was chosen by the Muslims as the new Caliph, and he decided that it would be wise to wait a few months for the events to calm down before pursuing the murderers. Ayesha (RA), along with a small army, decided to dispatch and pursue the murderers under the impression that the murderers would dissolve between the Muslims and would never be found later.

Ali (RA) in that context of events saw this as a bit chaotic for anyone to go pass judgement on his own. After all, he is the Caliph and he should take matters in his own hands. Thus, he dispatched and army, too, and told Ayesha's (RA) army to halt.

After reaching Ayesha's (RA) army's camp, they came to an agreement. I would like to emphasize here, this is only natural. History tells us how these people are all wise and in the end do not seek self interest. Sadly, however, war broke out.

How did that happen? Apparently, some of the murderers, who were later known as "Al-Khawarij" have entered with Ali's (RA) army, and during the night, just before dusk, they attacked Ayesha's (RA) army screaming that it's war!

Yes, this particular battle was a misunderstanding, and caused by "Al-Khawarij".

Not long after the war broke out, Ayesha (RA) herself went into the battle on her camel (She was inside the thing over the camel), and things slowly calmed down.