Formative Training
Under the Prophet

From the standpoint of human development, the first ten years of life are generally considered the formative period. It is during these early years that much of a person’s character and personality is shaped. This stage is therefore of particular importance for education, nurture and character formation.

With this formative purpose in view, the Prophet of Islam specially selected two individuals during his lifetime: Ali ibn Abi Talib and Aisha bint Abi Bakr. Through their close association with him, they underwent a process of intellectual, moral and spiritual development and acquired what the Quran describes as prophetic wisdom. (2:129)

This kind of formation is most effective during the early, impressionable years of life. In the case of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet took responsibility for his upbringing while he was still young and brought him into his own household. Since no similar arrangement was possible in the case of Aisha, the Prophet married her at an early age. According to traditional accounts, the marriage was contracted when she was six, and she came to live in the Prophet’s household when she was nine. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 5188)

Some people have tried to reinterpret the reports concerning Aisha’s age at marriage. Such reinterpretation, however, is not necessary. The issue depends largely on the perspective from which the event is viewed. Some see it only as a marriage. In its wider significance, however, it also gave Aisha the opportunity to develop under the Prophet’s direct guidance during her formative years.

The outcome supports this understanding. Scholars generally acknowledge that both Ali and Aisha held a distinguished place among the Companions because of their exceptional insight and profound understanding of religion.

Here is a more natural and polished version:

There were two main ways of benefiting from the Prophet’s teachings. The first was to preserve his sayings and pass them on to others. Abu Hurayrah was especially distinguished in this field. The second was to listen carefully to the Prophet’s words, observe his actions closely, and draw broader principles and insights from them. This kind of learning required long and continuous companionship. Ali ibn Abi Talib and Aisha bint Abi Bakr were given this opportunity from an early age.

For example, the following saying is attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib:

“A person’s true worth lies in what they excel at.” (Jami‘ Bayan al-‘Ilm by Ibn Abd al-Barr, Hadith Nos. 608-609)

These exact words are not found among the sayings of the Prophet. Rather, they express a principle of wisdom that Ali drew from his close companionship with him. The same idea may also be stated more simply: “The value of a person lies in his excellence.”

The same was true of Aisha bint Abi Bakr. Her observations and conclusions are well known and reveal an exceptional depth of wisdom. They were the result of her close and thoughtful study of the Prophet’s life. One example is her perceptive observation:

“Whenever the Prophet had to choose between two options, he chose the easier one.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 6786)

The words spoken directly by the Prophet were preserved as Hadith. The special distinction of Ali and Aisha, however, lay in their ability to draw general principles and deeper wisdom from his words and actions. Their close companionship with the Prophet gave them profound insight, which they later expressed in their own words.

Their association with the Prophet during their formative years proved immensely valuable. It sharpened their powers of observation and developed their ability to understand, absorb and discover the deeper meaning of what they heard and witnessed.  (Al-Risala, August 2016)