Deep in the heart of seventh-century Arabia, a new prophet named Muhammad has arisen. As his message of enlightenment sweeps through Arabia and unifies the warring tribes, his young wife Aisha recounts Muhammad's astonishing transformation from prophet to warrior to statesman. But just after the moment of her husband's greatest triumph -- the conquest of the holy city of Mecca -- Muhammad falls ill and dies in Aisha's arms. A young widow, Aisha finds herself at the center of the new Muslim empire and becomes by turns a teacher, political leader, and warrior. Written in beautiful prose and meticulously researched, Mother of the Believer is the story of an extraordinary woman who was destined to help usher Islam into the world.

“[Zoe Heller] is an extraordinarily entertaining writer, and this novel showcases her copious gifts, including a scathing, Waugh-like wit.”—New York Times Best-selling author Zoe Heller has followed up the critical and commercial success of What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal with another tour-de-force on the meaning of faith, belief, and trust: The Believers. Tragic and comic, witty and intense, The Believers is the story of a dysfunctional family forced by tragedy to confront their own personal demons. In the vein of Claire Messud and Zadie Smith, Zoe Heller has written that rare novel that tackles the big ideas without sacrificing page-turning readability.

Certainly, the biography of Sayidah A'isha, the Mother of the Believers, has provoked many a topic to occupy historians, students of the Shariah, as well as those who follow their whims and desires, and continues to do so. Truly in her biography is what is worthy to be studied and defended, against those biased ones that bring about doubts and aspersions. Sayidah A'isha (r) had an unparalleled personality. Through which she occupied a special place in the heart of the Messenger of Allah (s) and in his life. It was as if he had prepared her to be one of the preservers of his knowledge. 2210 hadiths have been narrated by her from the Prophet (s). But that is not all, for she was also accomplished in many sciences and in giving legal judgements (ijtihad). Abu Musa Al-Ashari (r) said about her, "Never did a hadith become difficult upon the Companions of the Messenger (s) to understand, except we would ask A'isha and find knowledge of it with her." This book is a response to some of the disconcerting events of her life, accompanied by evidence, proofs and facts.