She makes it a story of choices, struggle and reform, rather than subjugation and mindless obedience. Above all, Jones narrates Islamic history as a love story. In her novels, Jones offers her interpretation of A’isha’s childhood, her secret love, her marriage, and her conflict with Muhammad’s nephew Ali. For some she is an inspiration, for others she is a curse because she caused the split between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. She was the youngest of Muhammad’s wives, a spiritual leader after his death, as well as a warrior and commander of an army. The daughter of Muhammad’s best friend and the inheritor of the khalifa, Abu Bakr, A’isha became the most influential woman in her time. The Jewel of Medina shows the importance of A’isha not only for Islamic history but also history in general. Sherry Jones’ The Sword of Medina is the sequel to The Jewel of Medina, which deals with Islamic history through the eyes of Muhammad’s youngest wife, A’isha.
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