assigned Muhammad Abu Bakr to head a military escort
to take her back to Medina, together with a full
entourage of Basran women to see to her every need, and
as her caravan prepared to leave, Aisha seemed to
acknowledge his graciousness—at least in part.
“My sons,” she told the Basrans, “it is true that some
of us criticized others, but do not hold what you have
heard against them. By God, there was never anything
between myself and Ali other than what usually happens
between a woman and her in-laws. Whatever I have said
in the past, he has shown himself one of the best of
men.”
It was as close as she would ever come to a concession
speech. Never mind that despite the apparent meekness,
it glossed over the truth. She had reduced a bid for
control of a vast empire to the level of a mere family
squabble, and, in so doing, had surely belittled the
thousands who had given their lives for it. Moreover, if
she seemed to imply that she accepted Ali as Caliph, she
had avoided actually saying so. But Ali could see that
this was as far as she would go; there was nothing to be
gained by pushing for more. “By God, men,” he said,
“she has spoken the truth and nothing but the truth. She
is the wife of your Prophet now and forever.” And
together with his sons Hasan and Hussein, he did her the
honor of riding alongside her for the ɹrst few miles of
the route back to Medina.