Q. 1) Who will be the Leader of the Women of Jannah insha Allah?
2) Is A’ishah considered with the four greatest women (Maryam, Khadijah, Fatimah and Asiyah [ra])? Or does she hold a seperate position of excellence all on her own?
A. According to authentic narrations, Fatimah (RA), the daughter of the Prophet (SAS) will be the leader of the women in Jannah. In this regard, it is narrated by Aisha (RA) that when the Prophet (SAS) told Fatima that he thinks that his time is coming close to an end, Fatima (RA) began to weep. Upon this, the Prophet (SAS) said to her, ‘O Fatima, are you not pleased that you will be the leader of the women in paradise’. (Bukhari, Muslim). In another tradition, Huzaifaa (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAS) stated that he received the glad tidings from an angel that Fatima will be the leader of the women in Paradise, and Hasan and Husain will be the leaders of the youths in Paradise. (Tirmizi)
With respect to Aisha (RA), she holds an honorable position of excellence on her own, even though she is not from the four greatest women like Maryam, Khadijah, Fatimah and Asiyah.
With respect to her excellence, Qasim bin Muhammad narrates that Aisha (RA) said, ‘I have been given more virtues than the other wives on ten things’. It was asked, ‘What are they, O Mother of the believers’. She said, ‘The Prophet (SAS) did not marry any other virgin but me. He did not marry a woman whose parents were both Muhajreen (immigrants) except me. Allah revealed many verses (of the Quran) from the heavens regarding my innocence (in the case of the slander made against me). Jibraeel (AS) brought my portrayal from the heaven in silk and said to the Prophet (SAS), ‘marry her, she will be your wife’. He and I used to bathe from the same vessel, and he did not do that with any of his wives except me. The revelation would come to him while he was with me, and it did not come down when he was with any of his wives except me. Allah took his soul while he was against my chest. He died on the night when it was my turn, and he was buried in my room’. (Tabaqat Ibn Saad vol. 8 pg. 88).
In another tradition, Aisha said, ‘I was given a few characteristics that no other woman was given’. (Tabaqat Ibn Saad Vol.8 pg. 88).
From these and other narrations, one can see the lofty position that has been given to Aisha (RA).
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan