Aisha is one of the foremost Islamic authorities of the early period. She is reputed to be the source of many sacred traditions about Mohammed (Hadith). When Mohammed was approaching death, he spent his last moments in the company of the 18 year old Aisha and died with his head in her lap. She remained unmarried for the rest of her life (Qur’an 33:53). Aisha died in the year AD 678 at the age of 65 during the month of Ramadan.

Shi'a (Shi'ite) Muslims believe in a hidden spiritual guide - called the Hidden Imam (leader) or Mahdi (the one who guides). Shia believe he will return soon along with Jesus. There will be a battle and thw ehole world will submit to Islam. Later there will be a general resurrection of the dead followed by the last judgement. Muslims generally have a strong belief in a future life consisting of a paradise for believers and eternal punishment for unbelievers but their ideas differ very profoundly from Christian belief. Shi’a Muslims generally have a much more concrete and intensive expectation of the end times to come than the Sunnis.