PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S صلى الله عليه و سلم MARRIAGE TO AISHA رضي الله عنهاMany people try to distort the image of Prophet and spreads that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was a paedophile, arguing that he married Aisha رضي الله عنها when she was a child.
RESPONSEIslamic Law regarding age of marriageIn Islam there is no fixed age for marriage, whenever a person reaches the age of puberty he or she is fit for marriage. Marriage (Nikah), the marital contract, may be made earlier but consummation of marriage can take place only after puberty is attained.
When does Puberty start?Although puberty usually starts between ages 8 to 13 in girls, it may start earlier or later. Everyone's body changes at a different time. Whether you have breasts at age 10 or have not started your period by age 14, do not worry. Everyone goes through puberty eventually. (http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/cnoteShowLfts.asp? fname=07103&title=PUBERTY+IN+GIRLS+&cid=HTHLTH)
Age of puberty varies however in woman it is generally reached earlier. "The average temperature of the country or province," say the well-known authors of the book Woman (Herman H. Ploss, Max Bartels and Paul Bartels, Woman, Volume I, Lord & Bransby, 1988, page 563., http://www.biblioz.com/lp25762280577.html), "is considered the chief factor here, not only with regard to menstruation but as regards the whole of sexual development at puberty." http://www.livescience.com/1824- truth-early-puberty.html
Puberty in GirlsAn Australian government Public Health organization, says: "The first sign of puberty is usually a surge of growth: you become taller; your breasts develop; hair begins to grow in the pubic area and under the arms. This may start from 10 years to 14 years - even earlier for some and later for others." (http://www.population.health.w a.gov.au/Communicable/Resources/2107%20PubertyinGirls.pdf)
According to Medline Plus Medical Encyclopaedia "Precocious puberty is premature development of body characteristics that normally occur during puberty. (Puberty is the period in life when the body changes rapidly and develops reproductive capability). Puberty normally occurs between 13 and 15 years old in boys, and between 9 and 16 years old in girls. (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001168.htm< /a>) In girls, precocious puberty is when any of the following develop before 8 years of age: Breasts, Armpit or pubic hair, Mature external genitalia, First menstruation"
When Aisha رضي الله عنها had reached puberty the marriage was consummated, as Karen Armstrong writes in her book Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, Harper San Francisco, 1992, page 157: "Tabari says that she was so young that she stayed in her parents' home and the marriage was consummated there later when she had reached puberty."
So note, a period for a girl occurs from the age of 8 to 14, though this is not always the case as a girl can also start her period by 14 or maybe 15. However so for Aisha رضي الله عنها it is most likely her puberty started at 8, and continued till she was 9, and once she was going through puberty and her menses, this made her a lady and not a girl anymore since she was fit for a baby therefore she is no child anymore.
Proof: Moreover, through certain narrations we come to know of the fact she was going through her puberty. Modern science testifies that puberty causes hair loss and this is exactly what we read in a Hadith: Narrated by Aisha رضي الله عنها: “The Prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six (years). We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Bani-al-Harith bin Khazraj then I got ill and my hair fell down…” (Sahih Al Bukhari Hadith 3605) List of youngest mothershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_youngest_birth_mother s
The Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم Marriages In Perspective.Lets analyse the lifestyle of the prophet and his marriages.
He married Khadijah(R) when she was forty(40) and he was twenty five(25) - which might be called the years of a male's "sexual prime" - and stayed married only to her until her death.
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم did not marry any virgin other than Aisha رضي الله عنها, and that all his other wives had been previously married, this will refute the notion spread by many hostile sources, that the basic motive behind the Prophet's marriages was physical desire and enjoyment of women, because if that was his intention he would have chosen only those who were virgins and beautiful etc.
All his brides were aged widows (except Aisha رضي الله عنها)This chart above also proves that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was not a pedophile because If this was true on the prophet then he would have just had intercourse with Aisha رضي الله عنها when she was 6 and he would have also married several other girls at the age of 4-7 and had intercourse with them, yet he never did such a thing.
Examples of girls who gave birth to child at the age of 5 and 9Indeed, there have been many cases of early puberty.
For instance, Lina Medina gave birth at the age of 5 years, 7 months and 21 days. Encyclopaedia Wikipedia says:
"Lina Medina (born September 27, 1933 in Paurange, Peru) gave birth at the age of 5 years, 7 months and 21 days and is the youngest confirmed mother in medical history. This world record is closely followed by a similar case in Russia." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Medina)
Also, a 9-year old Thai girl gave birth: The news item is from the New Straits Times, 10/3/2001.
In our world today, we still have people especially in the third world countries, marry very young girls. Why should we call someone who married a 9-year old girl 1400 years ago a child molester, when many people still practice it today? The girl above even gave birth at the age of 9!
Aisha's (our Prophet's wife) parents agreed by their own will and choice to marry their daughter to our Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, and they were proud of it too as they married her to the best person on the face of the earth.
Did the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم marry Aisha at the age of 6 ?Authentic Hadith reports do show us that the prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم did marry Aisha at the age of 6, but they also show the consummation of the marriage was complete when she was 9 years old.
Narrated by Aisha رضي الله عنها: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم engaged me when I was a girl of six (years). We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Bani-al-Harith bin Khazraj. Then I got ill and my hair fell down. Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother, Um Ruman, came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends. She called me, and I went to her, not knowing what she wanted to do to me. She caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house. I was breathless then, and when my breathing became Allright, she took some water and rubbed my face and head with it. Then she took me into the house. There in the house I saw some Ansari women who said, "Best wishes and Allah's Blessing and a good luck." Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared me (for the marriage). Unexpectedly Allah's Apostle came to me in the forenoon and my mother handed me over to him, and at that time I was a girl of nine years of age. Sahih Al Bukhari 4738 (Volume 5, Book 58, Number 234)
Narrated Hisham's father: Khadija رضي الله عنها 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 that marriage when she was nine years old. Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 236
'A'isha رضي الله عنها reported: Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house when I was nine years old. Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3310
'A'isha رضي الله عنها reported that Allah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم married her when she was seven years old, and he was taken to his house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her; and when he (the Prophet) died she was eighteen years old. Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3311
What was the age of Aisha when the consummation of the marriage was completed?One must first understand that 1400 years ago was very different than now, times have changed and so have humans. Marriage for young girls was widely practiced among Arabs back then1400 years ago it was something very common to marry young girls, in fact they were not considered young girls, rather they were considered young women back then.
It is a historic fact that girls from the ages of 9 to 14 were being married in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in fact even in the United States girls at the age of 10 were also being married just more than a century ago. (Various Proofs are given below)
Yet with these facts no historian claims that all these people were sick perverts, historians would call anyone who made such a claim to be arrogant and very bad who has no grasp or understanding of history.
None of the Muslim sources report that anyone from the society at that time criticized this marriage due to Aishah's رضي الله عنها young age. On the contrary, the marriage of Aishah رضي الله عنها to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was encouraged by Aishah's father, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنها, and was welcomed by the community at large.
Furthermore as to the prophet’s Marriage with Aisha رضي الله عنها, something people will notice is that the completion of the marriage was done when Aisha was 9 years old, not when she was 6, and there is a reason for that. The reason why this happened is because Aisha had been through puberty by the age of 9, and in Islam a female who under-goes puberty is considered a lady and is fit for marriage.
Marriage was not out of his Physical DesireHe صلى الله عليه وسلم saw a dream about marrying her. It is proven in Sahih Al- Bukhaari from the hadeeth of Aa'isha رضي الله عنها that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to her: "You were shown to me twice in a dream. I saw that you were wrapped in a piece of silk, and it was said, ? This is your wife.' I uncovered her and saw that it was you. I said, ? If this is from Allaah then it will come to pass.'" Sahih Al Bukhari 3682
The marriage of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم with Aisha رضي الله عنها was not his own idea, it was an opinion by a woman called Khawla Bint Hakim(R), for the purpose of enhancing relations with the dearest friend of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, i.e. Abu Bakr As Siddiq(R), father of Aisha رضي الله عنها by way of affinity.
Abu Bakr(R) was one of the important person in Islam and was the closest friend to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. He was the first orthodox Caliph after the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
His loyalty to his friend, Abu Bakr(R), made him pleasant to accept the offer in order to enhance relations between them.
It is worth mentioning also that Aishaرضي الله عنها, before marrying the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم, was engaged to another man; Jubair Bin Mutem.However, the engagement was later nullified by Jubayr’s parents due to Abu Bakr (R) embracing Islam.
This also indicates that Marriage in an early age was a norm and a custom widely prevailing in such era and no one denied or objected it. Moreover, after marriage, Aisha gained a high rank in the Prophet’s life.
Common Arab PracticeIt was also a normal tradition of the Arabs at that time
Marriages of Christian Saints, Kings, Royals and NoblesThe Marriage of Mary to Joseph, Catholic Encyclopaedia, says:
The Catholic Encyclopedia says: “…respectable man to espouse Mary, then twelve to fourteen years of age, Joseph, who was at the time ninety years old, went up…..” (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm)
“The marriageable age is fourteen full years in males and twelve full years in females, under penalty of nullity (unless natural puberty supplies the want of years [i.e. if puberty occurs before the age of twelve])… The canonical age holds in England, Spain, Portugal, Greece (Ionian Isles excepted, where it is sixteen and fourteen), and as regards Catholics even in Austria. While in some parts of the United States the canonical marriage age of fourteen and twelve still prevails, in others it has been enlarged by statutes.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01206c.htm)
Elsewhere, the Catholic Encyclopedia says: “By the common law, the age at which minors were capable of marrying, known as the age of consent, was fixed at fourteen years for males and twelve years for females. Marriages under the age of seven years for both were void, but between seven and the age of consent [14 for males, 12 for females] the parties could contract an imperfect marriage, which was voidable but not necessarily void.
(Catholic Encyclopedia, http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09691b.htm) Although twelve was the general guideline, Christian fathers were allowed to marry their daughters off even before that. We read:
Medieval Christianity continued to maintain the age of twelve as a minimal age for females to enter into marriage. However, even this low age limit was not absolute. Using natural law logic, Catholic authorities argued that the decisive factor which determined a child's readiness for marriage and sexual relations was the onset of puberty, and not necessarily age as such. According to one Catholic scholar, “If it could be satisfactorily proved that puberty . . . was actually attained by the boy before the completion of his fourteenth year, or by the girl before the completion of her twelfth year, then . . . the party could enter upon a valid marriage.” (Mark E. Pietrzyk, http://www.internationalorder.org/scandal_response.html)
Similar to Jewish Law, Christian Law differentiated between the minimum age of marriage and the absolute minimum age of marriage. Twelve years old was the minimum age of marriage, called the age of consent; in other words, a girl had to be twelve years old before should could arrange her own marriage. But the absolute minimum age of marriage was in fact seven years of age, during which time her father could arrange her marriage without her permission.
1. Saint Augustine: Saint Augustine, who is credited with having formulated Christian theology, betrothed himself to a ten year old girl, and this was when he was thirty-one years of age. He waited two years for her body to mature, after which she moved into Saint Augustine’s at the age of twelve. How is it then that the Christians attack Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم(peace be upon him) for marrying Aisha (peace be upon her) when she was nine or ten, when their venerated Saint Augustine himself betrothed a ten year old girl?
We read: One such example of betrothal between a mature male and young girl is that of St.
Augustine (354-439 A.D.). At the age of thirty-one, Augustine betrothed himself to a ten-year-old girl.
(Mark E. Pietrzyk, http://www.internationalorder.org/scandal_response.html)
2. Saint Agnes: Another very famous Christian figure in history, Saint Agnes—who is known as the patron saint of chastity—fielded marriage proposals when she was younger than twelve years old. Yet suddenly the Christians turn their noses up when we Muslims say that Aisha (peace be upon her) fielded marriage proposals at a similar age.
Domestic-Church.com says:
Saint Agnes' name means chaste or pure in Greek and lamb or victim in Latin.
She has always been regarded by the Church as a special patroness of purity.
Agnes was martyred early in the persecution of Diocletian, who began his persecution of Christians in March of 303. She was only twelve or thirteen years old at the time of her death (accounts differ). Even at that young age, her wealth and beauty had attracted the attention of the young noblemen of Rome, who competed with each other for her hand in marriage.
(Domestic-Church.com, http://www.domestic- church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19980101/SAINTS/STAGNES.HTM)
3. Saint Hedwig of Andechs: Saint Hedwig is revered by the Christians as the patron saint of orphans. She was married off at the age of twelve to Henry I of Silesia.
4. Saint Rita of Cascia: She is considered by Christians to be the patron saint of hopeless causes, and was betrothed at the age of twelve to a man named Paola Mancini.
5. Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified: She was betrothed at the age of thirteen.
6. Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, patron of the Third Order of St. Francis, was married off at the age of twelve.
7. Saint Joseph, the supposed foster father of Jesus, was in his nineties when he married the twelve year old Mary. Some claim that Joseph was in his thirties—and not his nineties—but the fact remains that he was a grown man who married a twelve year old.
And there are many other examples from amongst the venerated Christian saints…
1. King Richard II, at the age of thirty, married a French princess named Isabella who was only seven years old at the time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Valois
2. Duchess of Milan, Bianca of Savoy, was married off at the age of thirteen. http://www.academia.edu/990174/Medieval_Marriage
3. Theodora Comnena was married off at the age of thirteen to King Baldwin III, who was more than double her age. http://www.academia.edu/990174/Medieval_Marriage
4. King Adronikos I Komnenos, the valiant Christian leader of the Byzantine Empire, married the twelve year old Agnes of France when he was sixty-four years old. http://www.academia.edu/990174/Medieval_Marriage
5. King Denis of Portugal married the twelve year old Saint Elizabeth of Portugal.
6. Girolamo Riario, Lord of Imola and Forli, married the nine year old Caterin Sforza.
7. Jeanne III of Navarre was wed at the age of thirteen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_d'Albret
8. Giovanni Sforza married the thirteen year old Lucrezia Borgia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Sforza
9. King Haakon VI of Norway married the ten year old Queen Margaret. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_I_of_Denmark
10. Count Agness of Essex was betrothed at the age of only three years old and married off at the age of twelve to a man who was almost fifty years of age. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_of_Angoul%C3%AAme
11. Prince Edward of Wales married the French king’s daughter, Isabella, who was only seven years old.
12. Romanos II married Bertha (renamed Eudokia), the daughter of the King of Italy, when she was only four years old!
13. Stephen Milutin, the Kral of Serbia, married Simonis, the daughter of Emperor Andronikos II, when she was only five years old. At the time of the marriage, Stephen Milutin was fifty years old.
14. Edward I married the nine year old Eleanor of Castile.
15. Richard of Shrewsbury, King Edward IV’s son, married the five year old Anne Mowbray of Norfolk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_of_Shrewsbur y,_1st_Duke_of_York
16. Mary Stewart married Henry VIII when she was only six. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Scots
And there are many other examples…
What was the reaction of the enemies of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم at that timeThe Quraish people, who would never waste any chance to insult the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would have found this marriage as a golden opportunity to pour on him rain of insults. Rather they found nothing wrong in this engagement, and they received the news of the Prophet's proposal for `Aisha as something usual, and even, expected.
Aisha(R) never showed displeasure or Aisha’s marriage and consent issueAnother striking thing to observe is that among thousands of her narrations there is not even a single one showing her displeasure about this marriage. Hence, she had no problem with this relation. In fact it is manifest from several traditions that she loved the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلمtoo much and even felt some sort of jealousy when she found others around him. Does this not prove that she was extremely happy about this marriage? So, when she herself had no problem at all then what’s the matter of concern for others?
`A'ishah(R) was most pleased with this marriage. She became his(Prophet’s) best supporter and learned much of Islam from him. She was a great teacher for many women and men of her time. Her parents were very pleased with this marriage.None of the contemporaries of the Prophet, his friends or foes, are reported to be surprised by this marriage or made objections to it.
Great Wisdom behind the marriage
Aishah's marriage to the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم at an early age allowed her to be an eyewitness to the personal details of his life and carry them on to the succeeding generations. At a young age people have a sharp memory and great sense of observation. Then she lived for about 46 years after the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمand continued to teach the people matters of religion especially those related to household affairs and marital life.
By being both spiritually and physically near to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, the marriage prepared 'Aishah(R) to be an example to all Muslims, especially women, for all times. She developed into a spiritual teacher and scholar, since she was remarkably intelligent and wise. Her qualities help support the Prophet's work and further the cause of Islam. Aishah(R), the Mother of the Believers, was not only a model for wives and mothers, but she was also a commentator on the Qur'ân, an authority on hadîth and knowledgeable in Islamic Law.
She narrated at least 2,210 ahâdîth that give Muslims valuable insights into the Final Prophet's daily life and behaviour, thus preserving the Sunnah of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
It is claim of the scholars of Islam that without her, half of the Ilm-e-hadith (Knowledge and understanding of Islam and hadith) would have perished.
Aishah(R) always stood for the truth. She taught Islam to many people. She was an authority on many matters of Islamic Law, especially those concerning women.
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(May Allah be pleased with them all) 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 Aisha."
Narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari(R): 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 Asiya, the wife of Pharaoh." Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol 4:643
Musa Ibn Talha (r.a.) says, "I did not see anyone more eloquent than Aisha (R)"(Mustadrak of Hakim, vol.4, p.11)
This shows the Divine Wisdom for it was not the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلمhimself but Allah that ordained this marriage. She herself reports: Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلمsaid to me, ‘You were shown to me twice (in my dream) before I married you. I saw an angel carrying you in a silken piece of cloth, and I said to him, 'Uncover (her),' and behold, it was you.’ Sahih Al Bukhari 6495
If one asks, What was Sayyidah Aisha famous for ?
Well what was her specialty?
Was it beauty?
Was it wealth?
No! It was religion! Thus proving the divine logic.
Age of Marriage in Judaism and ChristianityThey should also focus on the stipulations of the Jewish religion which allowed marrying a girl of three years and one day old!!
The Jewish website, Jewfaq.org, says:
“The minimum age for marriage under Jewish law is 13 for boys, 12 for girls; however, the kiddushin [betrothal] can take place before that, and often did in medieval times.,,” (JewFaq.org, http://www.jewfaq.org/marriage.htm)
The age of twelve approximates the commencement of puberty. According to Jewish Law, marriage at this age is not just allowed, but rather it is actively encouraged and fathers are advised to quickly wed their pubescent daughters.
According to many Jewish scholars, a girl should be married off as soon as she hits puberty and no later. The Jewish Encyclopedia says:
“The first positive commandment of the Bible, according to rabbinic interpretation (Maimonides, "Minyan ha-Miẓwot," 212),is that concerning the propagation of the human species (Gen. I. 28). It is thus considered the duty of every Israelite to marry as early in life as possible…Some urge that children should marry as soon as they reach the age of puberty.”
(Jewish Encyclopedia, http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?letter=M&artid=216)
The Old Testament narrated the story of the marriage of Ishaq Bin Ibrahim Peace be upon them from Refka while she was just three years old. The Genesis mentioned that Ishaq was born while Sara was ninety years old. Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, «Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?»(Genesis 17:17).
Refqa was born in the same year in which Sara died: «Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah bore these eight sons to Abraham›s brother Nahor. His concubine». In the next chapter thereof, the first paragraph, it is mentioned that: «Sarah lived to be a hundred and twenty-seven years old» i.e. Ishaq then was thirty seven years old, and Refka was just a baby.
When he attained forty years old and she attained three years, Ishaq has married her. Refer to: «And Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean». (Genesis 25:20). Talmud itself allowed making such marriage relation although the girl was just a child, as stipulated in the following teachings:
The 55th Commandment of Sanhedrin stated: «A maiden aged three years and a day may be acquired in marriage by coition». The 54th Commandment of Talmud Sanhedrin stated: «Pederasty with a child below nine years of age is not deemed as pederasty with a child above that».
The 11th Commandment of Talmud Khathoboth mentioned: «The sexual intercourse between an adult man and a young girl is something ordinary». Moreover, Saeed Rabi Joseph wrote: «The girl who attains three years and one day can make sexual intercourse»
To conclude, we close with the words of Mark E. Pietrzyk: According to the Talmud, the recommended age for marriage is sometime after twelve for females, and thirteen for males. Marriage below these ages was generally frowned upon. However, a father was allowed to betroth his daughter to another man at an earlier age, and sexual intercourse was regarded as a valid means of sealing a betrothal. The age limit for betrothal through sexual intercourse was shockingly low. According to the Talmud, “A girl of the age of three years and one day may be betrothed by intercourse.”
(Mark E. Pietrzyk, http://www.internationalorder.org/scandal_response.html)
Therefore, in Judaism, it is not a strange issue to make a sexual relationship with a girl of three years, so why they criticized Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم Peace be upon him for marrying a nine year old girl.
Age of marriage in HinduismIn the Hindu religious scripture known as the Manu-smriti, we read:
Gautama (18-21).— A girl should be given in marriage before puberty.
Vashistha (17.70).— Out of fear of the appearance of the menses, let the father marry his daughter while she still runs about naked. For if she stays in the home after the age of puberty, sin falls on the father.
Bodhayana (4.1.11).— Let him give his daughter, while she still goes about naked, to a man who has not broken the vow of chastity and who possesses good qualities, or even to one destitute of good qualities ; let him not keep the maiden in his house after she has reached the age of puberty. (Manu IX, 88; http://www.payer.de/dharmashastra/dharmash083.htm)
The Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics says: “[It was considered] sinful on the part of the [Hindu] father to allow his daughter to attain puberty without being married and the girl herself fell to the condition of a Sudra [i.e. low caste], marriage with whom involved degradation on the part of the husband…the Smrti of Manu fixes the age of husband and wife at 30 and 12 or 24 and 8 respectively; the later work of Brhaspati and the didactic portion of the Mahabharata give the wife’s age in these cases as 10 and 7 respectively, while yet later texts give 4 to 6 as the lower and 8 as the upper limit. There is abundant evidence that these dates were not merely theoretical.” (Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, p.450,
Age of Marriage in IslamIslam sets the age of marriage at puberty, as it is the natural dividing line between Childhood and adulthood. Menstruation indicates that a young girl has reached Childbearing age. This age may vary from country to country, but it is discernible and not arbitrary.
Islamic Law (Shari’ah) allows for a marriage contract (Nikah) to be drafted years before the marriage itself is actually enacted. In other words, the marriage contract is drawn up, but the contract is not executed until a later date. So even though the marriage contract can be drafted, the girl will not be “handed over” to the husband until many years afterwards. In other words, a father can marry his immature daughter off to a man before she comes of age, but the husband may not consummate the marriage until after she attains maturity.
Under Islamic Law, there are certain shuroot an-nifaadh (conditions required for the execution of the contract): for consummation of marriage, one of these conditions is that both parties are mature enough for marriage. If this condition is not met, then the marriage contract remains Mauqoof (suspended) and has no actual practical effect, i.e. the consummation of marriage is delayed until the girl becomes mature enough for that. In the example of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم(peace be upon him) and Aisha (peace be upon her), the marriage contract was signed when she was immature, but only took effect until after she attained maturity. This is why Aisha (peace be upon her) remained in her father’s house for three years after the marriage contract was drafted.
Under Islamic Law (Shari’ah)—like Jewish and Christian Law—marriages are sealed after they are consummated (i.e. when the couple has sexual relations). Some Muslims think that the minimum age for marriage under Islamic Law is either nine years of age or menarche (onset of menses). But this is not correct; in fact, Islam sets no minimum age limit.
Rather, Islamic Law follows this simple dictum:
A man may have sex with his wife when she becomes sexually mature enough such that she is not harmed from having sex in any way whatsoever.
This is actually the most beautiful and all-encompassing rule of all. The Islamic scholars agree—by consensus (Ijma)—with the above stated dictum. In other words, the only hard-and-fast rule with marriage is that a man may have sex with his wife so long as she is sexually mature enough that it does not harm her in any way whatsoever.
Analysis of Jews & Christian scriptureTalmud (Jewish scripture) says: "Marrying off one's daughter as soon after she reaches adulthood as possible, even to one's Slave. (From the Talmud, Pesachim 113a)"
As discussed, in biblical times adulthood could refer to the age of Puberty or even younger age.
Regarding the Marriage of Mary to Joseph, Catholic Encyclopaedia (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm), says:
"When forty years of age, Joseph married a woman called Melcha or Escha by some, Salome by others; they lived forty-nine years together and had six children, two daughters and four sons, the youngest of whom was James (the Less, "the Lord's brother"). A year after his wife's death, as the priests announced through Judea that they wished to find in the tribe of Juda respectable man to espouse Mary, then twelve to fourteen years of age, Joseph, who was at the time ninety years old, went up to Jerusalem among the candidates; a miracle manifested the choice God had made of Joseph, and two years later the Annunciation took place."
Note: That article on Catholic Encyclopaedia obtains its information from early.
The 11th Commandment of Talmud Khathoboth mentioned: «The sexual intercourse between an adult man and a young girl is something ordinary». Moreover, Saeed Rabi Joseph wrote: «The girl who attains three years and one day can make sexual intercourse»
To conclude, we close with the words of Mark E. Pietrzyk: According to the Talmud, the recommended age for marriage is sometime after twelve for females, and thirteen for males. Marriage below these ages was generally frowned upon. However, a father was allowed to betroth his daughter to another man at an earlier age, and sexual intercourse was regarded as a valid means of sealing a betrothal. The age limit for betrothal through sexual intercourse was shockingly low. According to the Talmud, “A girl of the age of three years and one day may be betrothed by intercourse.”
(Mark E. Pietrzyk, http://www.internationalorder.org/scandal_response.html)
Points to PONDER ONAll these points made here are enough to refute the ALLEGATIONS. 1.)Why didn’t any of the prophet’s enemies use this against the prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم? If the marriage was so wrong, then you would expect to find his enemies to be the first ones to start using this against him, instead what we find is that his enemies NEVER EVEN ONCE brought this marriage up in a negative way against him.
2.)Why did the women who were present with Aisha when she was about to be given to the prophet for marriage wished her luck and were happy for her. If the marriage was wrong, the women present would have been sad, and they would not have been happy for Aisha, rather what we see is that they were happy for Aisha and had no problems with this marriage whatsoever.
3.)Why is there not a SINGLE hadith from Aisha showing her being displeased of the marriage? Why is there not one hadith from Aisha showing her to be like a victim, instead when you look at Aisha you find no symptoms of a victim. She became a great leader for Islam, a great scholar for Islam who would teach about Islam to many men. Does this seem to be the symptoms of someone who has been abused?
4.)If Aisha was indeed a victim and so on, then why did she love the prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم so much, and would sometimes get jealous around him because she loved him so much, does this sound like someone who is a victim?
ConclusionThe word ‘Paedophilia’ is a subjective term. Some countries legalise marriage at the age of 16, others legalise it earlier and others later. So in one country you’re a paedophile and in another you’re not? Who decides? Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلمpeace be upon him lived in a society and culture that existed 1400 years ago, and we must not judge what he or others did based on our standards today. It is wrong and unwise to do so.
There needs to be one firm ethical rule; If there will be harm in a marriage and intimate relations, such a person should not have intimate relations. If there will be no harm – then it is perfectly suitable for such a young adult to get married of their choice.
If you question how one can figure this out?, it is clear from seeing signs of their physical growth, as well as seeing how this young adult is mentally and emotionally. If they are suited for it – then it is their right to go ahead with such a marriage relationship.
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was a great example for all of humanity and peoples of different cultures (from "modern" Europeans and others to the aborigines of Australia). He was a Noble Messenger of God. Not only was he a great Prophet and Messenger of the God, but he was also a statesman, ruler, teacher, military leader, neighbour and friend etc. Family life was one of the most important areas where he was a great example, since he was both a husband and a father. Many broken family problems of the world especially the west, can be solved by following or going through the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
When Truth comes Falsehood disappears. Allah said: And say, "Truth has come, and falsehood has departed. Indeed is falsehood, [by nature], ever bound to depart." Qur’an Surah Isra 17: 81
References[1] http://www.answering- christianity.com/aisha.htm [2] http://www.answering-christianity.com/sami_zaatri/aisha_and_prophet_Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.htm [3] http://www.answering- christianity.com/childbrides_rebuttal.htm [4] http://muslim- responses.com/Marriage_with_Aisha/Marriage_with_Aisha_ [5] http://www.islamic- awareness.org/Polemics/aishah.html [6] http://www.iol.ie/~afifi/BICNews/Sabeel/sabeel6.htm [8] http://forums.almaghrib.org/showthread.php? t=64727 [9] http://www.letmeturnthetables.com/2008/07/why-prophet-muhammad-married-aisha-when.html
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