In my quest for knowledge about religions and particularly Islam, I have met two kinds of Muslims. First are the ones who believe that Aisha was only 6 years old when she was married to 57 year old Mohammad. Second category is of those who believe that Aisha was 10, 15 or even 17 years old at the time of her marriage or her first intercourse. Who is right? And why does this question hold any significance?
Mohammad is a prophet of Islam. He is revered as one of the most wise, honest, intelligent, brave and ‘every-fuck-thing-possible’ by 1.5 billion Muslims of the world. Walking in the shoes of Mohammad and living the kind of life as he lived is called Sunnah of the Prophet, a sure-shot ticket to heaven. So, do Muslims marry young girls to follow the life style of their pervert prophet? Let us take the case of Yemen. According to the Social Affairs Ministry of Yemen, more than a quarter of Yemen’s girls marry before age of 15. Many girls in Yemen die during childbirth at the age of 12 or 13; many girls are traumatized for their life. The government of Yemen tried to bring a law against child marriage but that proposal was barked down by the highest religious authorities. Saudi Arabia does not have a minimum age of marriage in its legal statuette. One can marry even an hour-old born child and it would be perfectly legal. In the camel festival in Saudi Arabia, there is a special function called Akheth where young girls are gifted to Saudi Monarchs for a few weeks.
Many of my readers must be thinking, how can anyone justify such an evil and inhuman practice? Well! You know the reason – Majority of Muslims in the world believe that Aisha was just 6 years old when she was married and 9 years old when her marriage was consummated. The references of Aisha’s age come from various sources that are considered highly credible. Let me quote a few:
“My mother came to me while I was being swung on a swing between two branches and got me down. My nurse took over and wiped my face with some water and started leading me. When I was at the door she stopped so I could catch my breath. I was brought in while Muhammad was sitting on a bed in our house. My mother made me sit on his lap. The other men and women got up and left. The Prophet consummated his marriage with me in my house when I was nine years old. Neither a camel nor a sheep was slaughtered on behalf of me.”[Al-Tabari, Vol. 9, p. 131]
Aisha said, “The Apostle of Allah married me when I was seven years old.” (The narrator Sulaiman said: “Or six years.”). “He had intercourse with me when I was 9 years old.” [Abu-Dawud 2:2116]
Narrated Hisham’s father: Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married ‘Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consumed (sic – consummated) that marriage when she was nine years old. [Sahih Bukhari 5:58:236]
Narrated ‘Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death). [Sahih Bukhari 7:62:64]
Narrated ‘Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: I have been informed that ‘Aisha remained with the Prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death).” what you know of the Quran (by heart)’ [Sahih Bukhari 7:62:65]
Narrated ‘Ursa: The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with ‘Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death). [Sahih Bukhari 7:62:88]
There are numerous other references particularly from Sahi-Muslim and Abu-Dawud. One must remember that these people, either Bukhari or Dawud are considered highly credible by almost all the Muslims of the world. Shahi-Bukhari is considered among the six canonical books of Islam. In many circles, it is even considered the most authentic book after the Holy Quran. According to Amin Ahsan Islahi, the notable Islamic scholar, Bukhari had three distinctive qualities as a Hadith author.
- Quality and soundness of the chain of narrators of the selected ahādīth. Imam Bukhari has followed two principle criteria for selecting sound narratives. First, the lifetime of a narrator should overlap with the lifetime of the authority from whom he narrates. Second, it should be verifiable that narrators have met with their source persons. They should also expressly state that they obtained the narrative from these authorities. This is a stricter criterion than that set by Imam Muslim.
- Imam Bukhari accepted the narratives from only those who, according to his knowledge, not only believed in Islam but practiced its teachings. Thus, he has not accepted narratives from the Murjites.
- The particular arrangement and ordering of chapters. This expresses the profound knowledge of the author and his understanding of the religion. This has made the book a more useful guide in understanding of the religious disciplines.
So, if Bukhari says that Aisha was just six years old when she was married to Mohammad then there are very good chances that this is true.
The Prophet asked Abu Bakr for Aisha’s hand in marriage. Abu Bakr said “But I am your brother.” The Prophet said, “You are my brother in Allah’s religion and His Book, but she (Aisha) is lawful for me to marry.” (Bukhari)
Today we have many conflicting theories that say that Aisha was much older when she was married. The first criticism came from Maulana Muhammad Ali who was the first Islamic scholar to challenge the notion of Aisha’s age. This he did in, at least, the following writings: his English booklet Prophet of Islam, his larger English book Muhammad, the Prophet, and in the footnotes in his voluminous Urdu translation and commentary of Sahih Bukhari entitled Fadl-ul-Bari, these three writings being published in the 1920s and 1930s. Notice the time of his writing: it was during 1920s, after the enlightenment and in the modern scientific world. Only in these modern times did Maulana started to talk that gibberish. Did he change his stance because he truly understood that previous Islamic scriptures were wrong or did he do that because he was trying to fit his modern sense of morality with Hadith? As we know, most of the religious people do not take their sense of morality from scriptures. Scriptures are absolute and do not change. But Morality changes and evolves with time. Most of the Muslims who say that Aisha was 10, 15 or 17 during her marriage are those who come from an educated background. Such people try to make their religion compatible with their sense of morality. They are aghast with the thought that a 57 year old married a 6 year old girl. So they either concoct stories or believe in less credible sources of Islam than the credible and highly acknowledged people like Bukhari.
But what is wrong with a 57 year old marrying a 6 year old girl? Well! You will have to make extraordinary concessions for the man to recognize and value such bullshit. We all have seen what a 6 year old girl looks like- A little child with her milk teeth coming off, she jumps and dances at the sight of a bird or rainbow, she cries on a slight scolding, she is ignorant of her own self, the world and its mysteries, she is-our lovely sister and daughter. On the other hand, a 57 year old is a highly mature person with a life time of experience. How can thus a 57 year old even think to marry such a child? It is so outrageous a thought that I start hating any person who tries to defend Mohammad for his perversions.
To be continued…
Read this article with some new information here plus there are a lot more.
Cosmic Stories 
This is horrible!
Posted by Opus Obscure | May 20, 2012, 8:26 pmMuhammad married Aisha because he had a dream about her. When Muhammad asked Abu Bakr for her hand, Abu Bakr was shocked and said ‘But I am your brother.’
Posted by Sobek | May 22, 2012, 7:43 amLook sir, you should have all the relevant and authentic knowledge before you criticize any religion, by reading this article i am sure that you do not have enough knowledge about Islam and definitely not about the circumstances which led to the marriage of Bibi Aisha and Hazrat Muhammad (SallAllahualahiwassalam) ,you just cannot half of a Hadees and make your point, secondly how can you criticize Islam when your religion supports concepts like bal vivvah, deet, satti and many more stupid concepts even you allow your so called gods to have affairs e.g. kisna was in love with Radha but not married to her, how lame is that.. Look I am not here to offend you just wanted you to know that before quoting or witing anything gain full knowledge on the subject else you would make a fool of yourself like you have.
Posted by Rija Shah | May 22, 2012, 3:07 amHello, Mr. Shah, I have not written anything to offend any religion. I am just giving my viewpoint based on the facts of your religion. I have mentioned the exact references from Bukhari, Dawud and Muslim, wherever i have mentioned their verses. If you are trying to argue that those references are wrong then bring me the correct ones. What can be the circumstances in which a 57 year old will marry a 6 year old girl? Muhammad said that Allah was sending him messages in his dreams, but you see, anyone can make that claim to marry a girl. Secondly, who told you that i have a religion. I have explicitly written in my blog about Hinduism that I have already left my religion. You can be sure that my next article will attack the sick and inhuman practices of Hinduism.
Posted by Bobby-Allen | May 22, 2012, 5:06 amthis is pathetic, can you see all his sources mentioned there? my religion does not support sati or bal vivah, i dare you to show me a verse in hindu scriptures that promote bal vivah or sati, you are just an ignorant muslim trying to defend the indefensible. it’s clearly written in your scriptures and hinted at in the quran. krishna was in love with radha but not married to her, how lame is that? lame? is this about being cool and lame? that’s a pathetic comparison, was radha a six year old? the author has done extensive research and authored this post, you are simply a bimbo who has made a fool of herself.
Posted by kautilya2 | July 13, 2012, 6:26 amhey Bro BObby Allen read this for ur answer…..”http://www.themodernreligion.com/prophet/prophet_aisha.htm”
Posted by Abdul Hannan | May 25, 2012, 6:08 pmDear,
The most important thing is that did Aisha (Radiyallahu anha) ever upset with this relation or not?. Please consider the occation once Prophet (peace be upon him) gave choice for all His wives to get divorsed from him. He asked Aisha (R.A) first to discuss this matter with Aboobacker (R.A), but she immediately replaid she will stay with Prophet (SA). So did all the wifes of prophet. In Islam girls themselves cannot get married, should be with the consent of her guardian and guardian should have the consent of the girl that like the man she is going to marrie. Also Islam not allowing illeagal sex. You can see more worse sexual disorder with youngesters other than Islam order. Islam allows divorse if the partner cannot go ahead with thier relation.
Posted by Musthafa | June 3, 2012, 7:07 amDear,
Ayesha was a child, and we wouldn’t know if she was upset or not. In the modern world can you rape a minor, who will be traumatized for life and ask, “Hey, ask the kid if she’s not okay with it!” ? Mohammad gave a choice for his wives to get divorced, but in the Qoran it is written that you cannot marry a woman that mohammad had married, and women cannot earn in your society, by divorcing mohammad, it would mean dying of starvation and lack of shelter!
Posted by kautilya2 | July 13, 2012, 6:34 amReblogged this on Arthashastra II and commented:
Somebody please counter this without swears or insults
Posted by kautilya2 | July 13, 2012, 6:51 amProphet Muhammad and Aisha Siddiqa®?
by Sabeel Ahmed
Through the centuries, orientalists have advance numerous accusations and far-fetched theories to discredit Islam and its last Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Praise be to Allah alone, all such accusations have been successfully refuted by the Muslims Ummah. Currently, one of the ‘reinvented’ accusations against the noble character of the Prophet is about his marriage to young Aisha Siddiqa ®.
Let’s probe some of the orientalists’ charges in detail in the light of modern research, historic evidence and the Islamic sources of the Quran and the Sunnah to separate truth from falsehood, and display to the world that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is indeed an exemplary for all of mankind.
Two main theories are often advance by orientalists to attack the pure character of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on his marriage to Aisha ® at her young age.
A. He was a Pedophile.
B. He was involved in child abuse.
Let’s analyze each theory to dig out the truth, through the Guidance of Allah (SWT).
A. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) married Aisha ® because he was a pedophile?
Definition of a Pedophile:
“Pedophile: also spelled PEDOPHILIA, psychosexual disorder in which an adult’s arousal and sexual gratification occur primarily through sexual contact with prepubescent children. The typical pedophile is unable to find satisfaction in an adult sexual relationship and may have low self-esteem, seeing sexual activity with a child as less threatening than that with an adult.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998
“pe.do.phil.ia n [NL] (1906): sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object — pe.do.phil.i.ac or pe.do.phil.ic adj.” Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
The diagnostic criteria for pedophilia according to American Psychiatric Association:
Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent intense sexual urges and sexual arousing fantasies involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children.
The person has acted on these urges, or is markedly distressed by them.
The person is at least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than the child or children in A.
DSM-III-R Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, ed 3, revised, copyright American Psychiatric Association.
“In addition to their pedophilia, a significant number of pedophiles are concomitantly or have previously been involved in exhibitionism, voyeurism, or rape”. (Voyeurism’s the recurrent preoccupation with fantasized or acts that involve seeking out or observing people who are naked, or are engaged in grooming or in sexual activity”. Synopsis of psychiatry, Harold I.Kaplan et al., 5th ed., pg360, Publishers: Williams and Wilkens, 1988
Does the Prophet fit the above criteria of a pedophile?
With the above criteria of a pedophile in mind, lets analyze the lifestyle of the prophet and his marriages.
Name of Bride Bride’s age at marriage Comments
Khadija bint khawilad 40 Twice widowed before
Sauda Bint Zama 50 Widow
Aisha bint Abu Bakr 9 Started living with the prophet at the age of 9.
Hafsa Bint Umar bin Khattab 22 Widow
Zainab bint Khuzaima 30
Umm-I-Salma bint Abu Umayia 26 Widow
Zainab Bint Jahash 38 Widow
Juwaeria Bint Harith 20 Widow
Umm-I-Habiba bint Abu Sufyan 36 Widow
Marya Qibtiya bint shamun 17 Virgin, Egyptian
Safia bint Hayi bin Akhtab 17 Widow
Raihana bint umru bin hanafa Not available
Maimuna bint harith 36 Widow
Source: The Prophet of Islam, the Ideal Husband, by Syed Abu Zafar Zain, Kazi Publications, Lahore, Ist Ed., pg. 10-12
Statistics from the above table:
Percentage of his wives who were 17years and older = 91 %
Percentage of his wives who were widows = 75%
Comment: The statistics show that the prophet’s marriage to Aisha at her young age was an exception and not a norm of his other marriages. Furthermore ‘a pedophile’s main mode of sexual satisfaction is with prepubescent girls’, which is contradictory to the 91% of prophet’s marriage to women 17 years and over. An unbiased examination of Prophet’s life and his marriages to his wives blatantly rejects the notion of his lifestyle fitting that of a pedophile. All his brides were aged widows (except Aisha and Marium).
Moreover, according to the criteria in the references cited above in ‘Synopsis of Psychiatry’, a vast majority of pedophiles possess a history of exhibitionism, voyeurism, or rape. Again, there is no single reference from either religious or secular sources that the noble Prophet ever indulged in such sadistic behavior (God forbid). This truth is observed and accepted by both Muslims and unbiased non-Muslims scholars.
“It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher.” – Annie Besant, THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF MUHAMMAD, Madras, 1932, p. 4.
B. Others claim that the noble Prophet (peace be upon him) indulged in child-abuse when he married Aisha at her young age.
Let scrutinize this allegation…
Definition of Child Abuse:
Child Abuse, also called CRUELTY TO CHILDREN, the willful and unjustifiable infliction of pain and suffering on children. The term can denote the use of inordinate physical violence; unjustifiable verbal abuse; the failure to furnish proper shelter, nourishment, medical treatment, or emotional support; incest; other cases of sexual molestation or rape; and the making of child pornography. Frequently described by the medical profession as the “battered-child syndrome,” abusive treatment of children is almost universally proscribed by criminal statutes. Child abuse can have serious future consequences for the victims involved. Delays in physical growth, impaired language and cognitive abilities, and problems in personality development, learning, and behavior are common following instances of child abuse or neglect.Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998
Comment: None of the criteria of child-abuse applies to the noble life of the Prophet (pbuh). There is no single incident of any infliction of pain and suffering by the prophet on Aisha or any other human being for that matter. Neither any instance of verbal or sexual abuse can be concluded from the relationship of the prophet with Aisha ® or any of his wives.
An abused child can have serious future consequences…delayed physical growth, impaired language..learning and behavior…etc (above definition). As one examines the chaste life of Aisha ®, her personality, physical, mental and spiritual development are all contrary to that of an abused child. In fact through the Prophet’s marriage and his guidance to Aisha, history testifies that she should be labeled not as an abused child but as a ‘blessed child’.
After analyzing and refuting the accusations against the noble character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the only viable alternative left with us is:
C. The Prophet married Aisha for the benefit of Islam and Humanity.
Lets analyze…
The Prophet married Aisha primarily for three reasons:
To reinforce the friendly relations already existing with Abu Bakr (his closest companion).
To educate and train Aisha so she may serve the purposes of Islam.
To teach her to utilize her capabilities for the sake of Islam.
Her Marriage with the prophet was a Wahi (Divine Revelation). She, herself relates from the Prophet, ‘He said, “I saw you in dreams three times. The angel brought you to me and you were clad in white silk. He (the angel) said that it was your consort and he (angel) showed me by opening your face. You are just like that…” Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, p.285.
Aisha ® was born after her parents had embraced Islam. Therefore, she was free from the defilement of polytheism right from her birth.
In her youth, already known for her striking beauty and her formidable memory, she came under the loving care and attention of the Prophet himself. As his wife and close companion she acquired from him knowledge and insight such as no woman has ever acquired.
Aishah lived on almost fifty years after the passing away of the Prophet. She had been his wife for a decade. Much of this time was spent in learning and acquiring knowledge of the two most important sources of God’s guidance, the Quran and the Sunnah of His Prophet. Aishah ® was one of the three wives (the other two being Hafsa ® and Umm Salamah ®) who memorized the Revelation. Like Hafsa ®, she had her own script of the Quran written after the Prophet had died.
So far as the Hadith or sayings of the Prophet is concerned, Aishah ® is one of four persons (the others being Abu Hurrah, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Ana ibn Malik) who transmitted more than two thousand sayings. From her, 2210 Hadith have come, out of which 174 Hadith are commonly agreed upon by both Bukhari and Muslim. Many of her transmissions pertain to some of the most intimate aspects of personal behavior which only someone in Aishah’s position could have learnt. What is most important is that her knowledge of Hadith was passed on in written form by at least three persons including her nephew Urwah who became one of the greatest scholars among the generation after the Companions. It is the claim of the Scholars of Islam that without her, half of the Ilm-I-Hadith [knowledge, understanding of the Hadith (and Islam)] would have perished.
Many of the learned companions of the Prophet and their followers benefited from Aishah’s knowledge. Abu Musa al-Ashari once said: “If we companions of the Messenger of God had any difficulty on a matter, we asked Aisha about it.”
“Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said from Said ibn al-Musayyab that Abu Musa al-Ashari came to Aishah, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said to her, “The disagreement of the companions in a matter which I hate to bring before you has distressed me.” She said, “What is that? You did not ask your mother about it, so ask me.” He said, “A man penetrates his wife, but becomes listless and does not ejaculate. “She said, “When the circumcised part passes the circumcised part ghusl is obligatory.” Abu Musa added, “I shall never ask anyone about this after you.” Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik Hadith 2.75
Arwa Bin Zubair says, “I did not find anyone more proficient (than Aisha ®) in the knowledge of the Holy Quran, the Commandments of Halal (lawful) and Haram (prohibited), Ilmul-Ansab and Arabic poetry. That is why, even senior companions of the Prophet used to consult Aisha ® in resolving intricate issued”.Jala-ul-Afham by Ibn Qaiyem and Ibn Sa’ad, Vol.2, p.26
Abu Musa al-Ashari says: “Never had we (the companions) had any difficulty for the solution of which we approached Aisha and did not get some useful information from her”.Sirat-I-Aisha, on the authority of Trimidhi, pg. 163
As a teacher she had a clear and persuasive manner of speech and her power of oratory has been described in superlative terms by al-Ahnaf who said: “I have heard speeches of Abu Bakr and Umar, Uthman and Ali and the Khulafa up to this day, but I have not heard speech more persuasive and more beautiful from the mouth of any person than from the mouth of Aishah.”
The Prophet said, “The superiority of ‘Aisha to other ladies is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. meat and bread dish) to other meals. Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Mary, the daughter of Imran and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh.” Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith, Narrated by Abu Musa Al Ashari Hadith 4.643
Musa Ibn Talha ® says, “I did not see anyone more eloquent than Aisha ®” Mustadrak of Hakim, Vol.4,p.11
Men and women came from far and wide to benefit from her knowledge.
Aisha’s great interest in the study of the Qur’an is understandable. She was an eye-witness to a number of revelations and had therefore a clear idea of the circumstances in which they were revealed. It was on her bed alone (and no other consort’s) that the Prophet received Wahi (Divine Revelations) several times. This helped her in interpreting the verses.
At the time of the Prophet’s death, the Prophet’s head was on her lap. It was in her quarters that the Prophet was buried.
The life of Aishah (R) is a proof that a woman can be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of scholars and experts. Her life is also a proof that a woman can exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and leadership. Aisha (R) is a continuing inspiration and role model to today’s youth who are diligently searching for an example amongst the pop stars, movie actresses and sports stars. May the memory of her’s live forever in the heart of the Muslim Ummah and may Allah grant her the highest abode in Paradise…Aameen.
Conclusion:
It was the aforementioned qualities of Aisha ® and the Prophet’s guidance in molding these capabilities for the service of Islam, were the main reasons, why the Prophet Married young Aisha ®, and not the perverted reasons brought forth by misguided orientalists.
Muslims invite all sincere humans to study the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon) in the light of the authentic sources of the Quran and the Sunnah (exemplary sayings and deeds of the Prophet) and judge for themselves where the truth lies. Indeed, by recognizing the truth of Islam as the final and complete Guidance sent by our Creator can humanity find lasting peace in this world and a means of salvation from the hell fire in the hereafter.
“I have studied him – the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.” George Bernard Shaw, THE GENUINE ISLAM, Vol. 1, No. 81936.
Though, the Prophet is not among us in his flesh, but his exemplary life has been preserved for all humanity to follow.
When Truth comes Falseh
Posted by Rija | May 4, 2013, 2:53 pm