Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah, the daughter of the first ruler Abu Bakr, and the widow of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), was in Makkah for the pilgrimage when third ruler Uthman was killed by the mob. She had always expected either Talha or Zubayr to succeed him and when she heard of Ameer ul-Momineen Imam Ali's (A.S.) appointment as Caliph, she was very upset. And said, 'By God! Uthman was innocent, I will avenge his blood.'

Both Talhah & Zubayr were relatives of Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah. Her youngest sister was the wife of Talhah, who was also a cousin of her father. Her eldest sister was a wife of Zubayr, whose son Abdullah was adopted by Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah.

In opposition to Imam Ali a.s., now she declared herself as the avenger of the murder of Uthman and prepared to wage war against Imam Ali (A.S.), whom she had always hated.

She managed to recruit the support of the powerful clan of Bani Umayyah, to whom Uthman had belonged. The ex-governors of Uthman, who had been replaced by Imam Ali (A.S.), also joined her.

Yala the ex-governor of Yemen carried off to Makkah all the treasure from Yemen when he was deposed. Amounting to sixty thousand Dinars, which he made over to Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah along with six hundred camels, one of which was a rarity, a big-sized, well bred animal, valued at 200 gold pieces. It was named Al-Askar and was specially presented for the use of Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah.

Talhah and Zubayr also joined her, in spite of their oath of allegiance to Imam Ali (A.S.). A large number of Arabs were also paid to enlist in the army, whose fathers and brothers had been killed when Imam Ali (A.S.) was defending the Prophet's (S.A.W.) cause on the occasion of various wars in his time. Many a discontented Arab flocked under her Standard.

The preparations of war having been completed, Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah's army proceeded to Basrah. Before leaving, she had asked Umme Salma, a faithful widow of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), to accompany her. Umme Salma had indignantly refused, reminding Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) had said that Imam Ali (A.S.) was his successor and whoever disobeyed him, disobeyed the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) himself. She also reminded her of the time when he had addressed all his wives saying that the dogs of Haw-ab would bark at one of his wives, who would be part of a rebellious mob. She then warned Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah not to be fooled by the words of Talhah and Zubayr who would only entangle her in wrong deeds. This advice had a sobering effect on Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah, who almost gave up her plan. However, her adopted son, Abdallah bin Zubayr, convinced her to go ahead.

Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah mounted on a litter on the camel al-Askar, and marched from Makkah at the head of 1,000 men. On her right was Talhah and on her left, Zubayr. On their way many more joined them, swelling their numbers to 3,000.

On the way to Basrah, the rebel army received news that Imam Ali (A.S.) had come out of Madinah in their pursuit. They decided to leave the main road and proceed to Basrah through a different route. When they passed through the valley of Haw-ab the dogs of the village surrounded Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah's camel, barking loudly. She was immediately worried and asked for the name of the place. When she was told it was Haw-ab, she was shocked and she despairingly cried, "Alas! Alas! I am the wretched woman of Haw-ab. The Prophet of Allah had already warned me against this."

She got off her camel and refused to go any further. Talhah and Zubayr tried to convince her that the place was not Haw-ab and even brought 50 witnesses to testify to this lie, but in vain. This is said to be the first occasion of false evidence given publicly since the dawn of Islam. Finally, they raised a cry that Imam Ali (A.S.) was approaching, and Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah, struck with terror, quickly remounted and the march was resumed.

The army reached Basrah and camped in the suburbs. Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah, Talhah and Zubayr began talks with the leading citizens of Basrah, trying to get their support for their cause. In this they failed and were subjected to ridicule.

Finally, some of them entered the city and during the congregational prayers, they treacherously captured Imam Ali's (A.S.) governor, Uthman bin Hunayf, after killing 40 of his guards. Fighting broke out in the city and many of Imam Ali's (A.S.) supporters were killed before Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah gained control of Basrah. The governor, Uthman bin Hunayf, suffered the indignity of having his eyebrows, moustache and beard plucked out, hair by hair, before being turned out of the city.

Meanwhile, Imam Ali (A.S.) had received information about Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah's plans from Umme Salma, and news of the disturbances in Makkah and Basrah also came through.

Imam Ali (A.S.) made immediate plans to march towards Basrah but could only raise 900 men with difficulty. This was because the people were reluctant to fight Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah, who was considered to be the Mother of the Faithful by virtue of being the widow of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). Also, Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan bin Abu Jahl had succeeded in making some people think that Imam Ali (A.S.) was somehow involved in the murder of Uthman.

In Kufah, Imam Hasan (A.S.) raised 9,000 men, and other units arrived as well, all joining Imam Ali (A.S.) at his camp at Zhi-Q'ar. Meanwhile, Uthman bin Hunayf arrived with fresh news from Basrah. Imam Ali (A.S.) smiled and said to him that he had left them as an old man but had returned as a beardless youth.

Imam Ali (A.S.) wrote letters to Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah, Talhah and Zubayr, warning them against the unwise steps they had taken, but his words were ignored. Finally he marched to Basrah at the head of 20,000 men.

Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah's forces numbered 30,000 but they were mostly raw recruits, while Imam Ali's (A.S.) army was full of battle veterans.

In Basrah, the sight of Imam Ali's (A.S.) men in battle formation filled Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah and her comrades with terror. Imam Ali (A.S.) talked at length with Talhah and Zubayr, negotiating for peace. He reminded them of the words of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) regarding his authority, which they both admitted they had heard. Zubayr was ashamed of his deeds and tried to leave the scene but Talhah remained doubtful. Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah was furious at the conduct of the two and ordered a raid at nighttime to end the chance of peace.

The next morning Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah mounted her camel al-Askar and urged her troops to prepare for battle. Thus began the unfortunate Battle of Jamal (Camel), where Muslims fought each other for the first time. Although outnumbered, Imam Ali (A.S.) and his momin soldiers were too skilled to be defeated. Soon victory began to incline towards Imam Ali (A.S.). Talhah was wounded and later died. Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah's camel was brought down and Imam Ali (A.S.) ordered her brother Muhammad bin Abu Bakr to take care of Ummul Momeneen Ayeshah.

After that, the battle was soon over, and Imam Ali (A.S.) declared a general amnesty for all the rebels out of his great generosity  and morality like the Holy Prophet saawaw..

Ummul Momineen Ayeshah's plans had come to nothing and 10,000 men lay dead as a result of her jealousy to Imam Ali a.s.. In this battle Imam Ali (A.S.) restrained his men from taking any war booty and all property found on the battle ground was gathered in the mosque of Basrah, from where the owners could claim their possessions.