120 In 1m F(}()l!tps of the ProplutProphet's wives" established, so that they could no longer address men
except from behind a protective screen (al-bijab). Before Revelation of the
verses enjoining the Prophet's wives to remain hidden from men's sight,
Aishah behaved like all other women and was most present in :Medina's
public life. The Prophet involved her and wished his Companions to '
understand, through her example, the role that women, and particularly
their wives, were to assume in their daily and public lives.
A Persian neighbor once invited the Prophet to a meal. T he Prophet
answered: "\X!hat about her?" pointing to his wife Aishah. The man re-
plied negatively, implying that the invitation was meant for him alone.
Muhammad then refused the offer. The neighbor invited him again some
time later. The Prophet again asked: "What about her?" T he Persian ans-
wered negatively, and Muhammad once more refused. The Persian invit-
ed him a third time, and when the Prophet asked, ',\'I/hat about her?" he
answered in the affirmative. T he Prophet accepted the invitation and went
to the neighbor's with Aishah.^31 Through steadfastly maintaining a posi-
tion, the Prophet was reforming customs and practices among the Arabs
and Bedouins in the Peninsula without attacking their conventions.
Aishah, as well as Khadijah before her, and indeed all of his wives and
daughters, were present in his life, were active in public life, and never
confused modesty with disappearing from the social, political, economic,
or even military sphere.
The Messenger had granted them the means to be and develop, to
express them selves and be critical, and to avoid false modesty and speak
of delicate subjects linked to their womanhood, their bodies, their desires
and expectations. Years later, Aishah was to recall with respect and admi-
ration that intellectual boldness characteristic of Ansar women who,
unlike most Meccan women, dared to speak out and ask direct questions:
"Blessed be [what excellent women were] the Ansar women: modesty did
not prevent them from seeking instruction [regarding thcir religionj.,,32
She herself had been trained in the same way by the P rophet: she was
present when Revelations took place, and she remained by the Prophet's
side when he conveyed the message or gave recommendations and advice,
or simply when he was alone and lived his religion in private. She would
listen, question, and attempt to understand the reasons and meaning of
her husband's choices and attitudes. Thanks to her memory, intelligence,
and critical mind, more than two thousand hadirhs (prophetic traditions)