Q: Unlike other religions, Islam discourages women from living in abstinence because of the lonliness. Why was Aisha an exception? Noor- isn't that what catholic nuns do when they choose celebacy too? Devotion to god, not family life.
A: Because Prophet and Messenger of God for Muslims was like their father and his all wives were equal to mothers of all believers. God Himself commanded in Quran that wives of Prophet are mothers of believers and no one can marry them after Prophet will die. Hence no one could marry them after Prophet died. Early days of Prophet and Mulims who came as immigrants from Mecca were very hard on them due to extreme poverty. Prophet's wives didn't have food to cook for weaks. They lived on dates and water. So they protested to Prophet to fix some amount for them as sustenance. He was father of all believers. What ever gifts of dates people gave him, he had to give first to those who had nothing to eat and if something was left, he would send for his wives. Prophet had nothing to give them on regular basis, so he stopped talking to all wives and started sleeping in Mosque. Then Allah revealed commands for his wives saying you are mothers of all Muslim Ummah. if you wish Prophet can divorce and make you free. I shall have him better wives than you all in all respects for Prophet of Islam. It is better for you all that you remain as Prophet's wives, so you resurrect on the day of Judgment as his wives and get blessed with living eternal life with Prophet. That will be a great honor for you all. After that Prophet's wives never asked for money. Wives of Prophet became assistant of their husband and preached Islam to women of believers for rest of their lives after Prophet died. Allah gave Aisha longer age than all other wives. Most of his widows died within five years of Prophet's death. Aisha lived until age 80. Because Allah commanded Prophet in vision to marry Aisha, so he had to marry her. She was the only bachelor wife at the time of marriage. His all nine or more were all widows. Aisha lived with Prophet all the times. Though Prophet had to visit other wives on their turn for visit but he spent more time with Aisha to teach her Quran and every aspect of Islamic life so she could teach people after Prophet dies. Aisha was the most brilliant woman of her time, had phtographic memory, very courageous in asking questions to Prophet on every subject and often she argued with Prophet on matters concerning women. She loved poetry and often quoted poetry of famous poets of her time during teaching Islam to men (from behind curtain) and women. She had eloquent when she talked to people of all ages. Purpose of God to command Prophet to marry her, raise her and teach her every thing about Islam, was that she could become teacher of Islam for women of next generation,. Prophet did not have as much time to have separate sessions for women as much he gave to men. Most of the time spent on planning to defend Muslims from attacks of enemies of Islam, meeting people who came to visit him, teaching new revelations from God, deciding problems between people, answering questions of people on all aspects of life etc.etc.