a mark of distinction—but as an attempt to force her
into the background? The girl so used to high visibility
had no intention of being rendered invisible.
Meanwhile, if Muhammad had ever doubted her, it
was easy to forgive him, but not Ali. Even as
Muhammad lay dying seven years later, the events that
would eventually place Aisha at the head of an army
against Ali had already been set in motion. That advice
he had given the Prophet would rankle throughout her
life. Indeed, it rankles still today. Al-Mubra’a, the
Exonerated, Sunnis still call her, but some Shia would
use a diʃerent title for her, one that by no coincidence
rhymes with her name: Al-Fahisha, the Whore.