Historical-Narrative Analysis of the Alleged Parallels Between Zipporah (Wife of Prophet Moses) and Aisha (Wife of the Final Prophet)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Islamic History, Research Institute of Islamic Sciences, Al-Mustafa International Research Institute.

2 Department of History and Civilization, Imam Khomeini Complex, Al-Mustafa Al-Alamiya Community

3 Department of Islamic History, Tehran International University of Islamic Religions

Abstract

The examination of similarities drawn between Judaism and Shi’ism holds particular significance from the perspective of historical analysts. Despite its wide-ranging scope, no comprehensive and profound study has yet been conducted in this field. This research addresses one of its pivotal aspects, specifically the question of alleged parallels between Zipporah, the wife of Prophet Moses, and Aisha, the wife of the Final Prophet. This inquiry necessitates a thorough investigation to arrive at a fitting response. It appears that Zipporah was among the women who faithfully believed in the mission of her husband and the prophet of her time. Claims regarding her rebellion against the successor of Prophet Moses and her equivalence to Aisha lack substantiation and demand further detailed exploration. This study was conducted with the aim of understanding Zipporah’s role in the life and mission of Prophet Moses and comparing her purported similarities with Aisha. Achieving this goal relies on describing and analyzing Zipporah's actions during Moses's time and examining the dimensions of her alleged parallels with Aisha through the collection of library-based data using a descriptive-analytical approach. The findings highlight Zipporah’s positive and impactful role in supporting the mission of Prophet Moses and her lack of rebellion against his successor, given the absence of credible supporting sources. The claims of certain narratives, as they pertain to this subject, are not corroborated by the Quran, Sunni sources, or the Bible. Furthermore, the discontinuity of the chain of narrations asserting such parallels, the lack of identifiable authorship, and the presence of Sunni narrators among sources cited in Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni'ma further weaken these claims. Consequently, this study concludes that the alleged equivalence lacks solid evidence and remains unverified.

Keywords

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11- Pajooheshname Hadith Tatbighee
Volume 11, Issue 21 - Serial Number 21
January 2025
Pages 405-426

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  • Receive Date: 04 July 2023
  • Revise Date: 17 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 31 January 2025

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