Hazrat Ayesha's Age at Marriage.

[dravidianhero]

sorry i have just read the whole thread and come to know chanakya also quoted from other sources but he did not mention tht he was quoting.so ,he is not that intelligent i suppose.

 

[Manticore]

Dude the most compelling arguments was not slander or any of that. It was math.

Asma = 10 years older to Aisha
Asma dies at age 100.
Asma dies in the year 73H
Asma was born in year -27H.
Asma was 27 year old on 1H.
Aisha was married on 1H.
Asma was 27 year old on Aisha's Marriage.
Asma was 10 years older to Aisha...

Aisha's age = 27years - 10 years.
Aisha was 17 at her marriage.

Is this your own research or some site? I was actually having this very discussion with my parents today

[h=3]Why Prophet Muhammad married Aisha when she was only 9?[/h]

The question of Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) marriage with Sayyidah Aisha is the one hurled against Muslims in almost every discussion. And it takes much time for people to understand the whole issue only because they fail to understand historical things in their right perspective considering the situation in those particular times. Agreed that a Prophet’s deeds should be above any question in all times and this is true indeed, but there are certain things in which change is inevitable subject to valid reasons and Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) marriage with Sayyidah Aisha is one such case. One who fails to understand the times and all the factors related to issue in hand can never understand the happenings through the history.

Islamic Law regarding age of marriage:

In Islam there is no fixed age of marriage, whenever a person reaches the age of puberty he or she is fit for marriage. Nikah, the marital contract, may be made earlier but consummation of marriage can take place only after puberty is attained.

The age of maturity through the ages and over the regions:

The wisdom behind Islam not fixing an age is evident, different people reach the age of puberty at different times. And the general trend also varies over the time and across the regions with variant climate conditions. For instance, people living in regions of low altitudes attain puberty earlier then those in high altitudes regions. Similarly people in warm climates attain puberty earlier then those in cold climates. Now keeping all this in mind consider that when Holy Prophet (PBUH) married Sayyidah Aisha while she was nine it was some 1400 years back and it happened in Arabia, a region with relatively lower altitude and hot climate as one of its most salient features.

Leaving all the history aside, even now puberty at nine is no wonderful a phenomenon. Experts now suggest that age 7 (even 6 for some races) and not 8 should be considered precocious (i.e. early) for puberty among girls. Below is a reference that a nine year old Thai girl even became a mother.

Sayyidah Aisha was fit for the marriage, considering the puberty factor and physical bearing:

It is rather erroneous to say that Sayyidah Aisha (RA) was a child bride. She was a grown up girl.
Sayyidah Aisha herself narrates; ‘Holy Prophet (PBUH) married her when she was six years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine years old…’ (Bukhari, Hadith 4738)

Having known this, let me draw your attention to another saying of Sayyidah Aisha which Al-Tirmidhi has narrated under a Hadith in his collection’s Book of Marriage, Chapter 18. It goes as:

Sayyidah Aisha said: ‘When a girl is nine years old, she is a woman (meaning, she has attained puberty).’ (Tirmidhi, Hadith 1109)

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 Sayyidah Aisha: “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…” (Bukhari Hadith 3605)

So this makes it absolutely clear that Sayyidah Aisha’s marriage was consummated at an age, she herself says was that of puberty. The general tone of her statement also conveys that it was normal in those times and in that environment.

It also needs to be mentioned that even before the Holy Prophet (PBUH), she was engaged with Jubair bin Mut’am whose parents dissolved the engagement when her family embraced Islam.
All these details kill the argument that Holy Prophet (PBUH) had intimate marital relations with a child, for in that particular sense she was no more a child and she herself testifies that being a nine year old she was a woman then having attained puberty.

Moreover, she was quite healthy and fit. She herself says:
‘My mother intended to make me fat to send me to the (house of) the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). But nothing which he desired benefited me till she gave me cucumber with fresh dates to eat. Then I became fat as good (as she desired).’ (Abu Dawud, Hadith 3903. Albani classified it as Sahih)

About Sayyidah Aisha playing with dolls etc:

Another issue concerning this marriage is the fact of Sayyidah Aisha playing with dolls and other toys. The question raised is that playing with toys is an innocent child act, and it proves that she was a child when she was married to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). This much is true but the point missed is that Holy Prophet (PBUH) did have an understanding of this fact and he did not expect or force her to behave like his other wives e.g. like aged Sayyidah Sawda (RA). Infact we find that Holy Prophet (PBUH) gave her ample chances to fulfill her desire of playing with her friends and made her feel comfortable.

Sayyidah Aisha narrates: ‘I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me.’ (Bukhari, Hadith 5665)

Sayyidah Aisha reported: ‘By Allah, I remember the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) standing on the door of my apartment screening me with his mantle enabling me to see the sport of the Abyssinians as they played with their daggers in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He (the Holy Prophet) kept standing for my sake till I was satiated and then I went back; and thus you can well imagine how long a girl tender of age who is fond of sports (could have watched it).’ (Muslim, Hadith 1481)

These two narrations show that Holy Prophet (PBUH) did care for the natural urge of his young wife for amusement. And this is also a proof that her marriage at the age of nine did not bar her from the enjoyment craved for at that age.

Holy Prophet (PBUH) consummated the marriage with Sayyidah Aisha when she was nine as she had attained puberty and, as she herself said that at nine a girl is rather a woman, but he did not burden her with tough responsibilities of a wife and provided her ample opportunities to enjoy her age.

This infact shows the wisdom of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that he did present a role model for all the people to come to care for all the needs of a wife. She married women of all age groups, elder to him like Sayyidah Khadija (RA), of his own age like Sauda (RA), younger but mature of age like Zainab (RA) and much younger like Sayyidah Aisha (RA).

Sayyidah Aisha’s marriage and consent issue:

Next comes the issue of her consent. Her nikah, the marital contract, was made when she was six but the marriage was consummated when she was nine. Now had she showed her displeasure about this marriage when she was nine, and thus a woman according to her own testimony, then marriage would haven been null and void, but it never turned up like that. She did not show any such notion and similarly never in her later life did she ever give any such impression. She rather always showed her love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Wisdom behind this marriage:

We know that Sayyidah Aisha (RA) was considered the most learned among the all the Companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The following testifies to this.

Abu Musa al-Ashari says: "Never had we (the companions) any difficulty for the solution of which we approached Aisha and did not get some useful information from her". (Tirmidhi, Hadith 3883. Albani classified it as Sahih)

She narrated some 2210 Ahadith from the Prophet (PBUH) and this was possible only because she lived with him for nine years and that too at a young age when people have a sharp memory and great sense of observation. Then she lived for about 46 years after the death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and continued to teach the people matters of religion especially those related to household affairs and marital life. No other wife of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) did the similar job that may be compared with her blessed endeavors. This shows the Divine Wisdom for it was not the Prophet himself but Allah that ordained this marriage. She herself reports;

Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said 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.’ (Bukhari, Hadith 6495)

Thus do Allah’s plans work in a marvelous way!

INDEED ALLAH KNOWS THE BEST!

Why Prophet Muhammad married Aisha when she was only 9?

 

[niaz]

Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 234: Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 236: Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3310: Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3311, mention age of Hazrat Ayesha (RA) as 9 years.

Both Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari were being compiled at roughly about the same time, that is first half of the 9th Century CE; nearly 125 years after the event. In my humble opinion both the books may have used that same primary source for their statement about the age of Ummul Momineen Hazrat Ayesha (RA). I for one suspect that the age has been incorrectly mentioned.

I have also come across writings of Allama Pervaiz, one of the aides of the Quaid and a controversial Quranic scholar. According Allama Pervaiz, this story has been fabricated and that Ummul Momineen was closer to 17 years old when she was married.

 

[Last Hope]

Good to see this thread finally move to right forum.

First, Aisha (RA) was 9-10 years in Arabic date which makes her about 11 in normal calender. This was engagement or 'Nikah' as you would call it. However, she didn't move until she was 15-16 in Arabic date making her about 17 in Georgia date.

If you look at the era, the trends of sex-slavery including those of child girls was common among the pagans. There could be many genuine reasons for the wedding including this. If in a battle, the father of Aisha i.e. Abu Bakr (RA) was to die then she would fall under hands of pagans, who are indulged in these acts making her their 'Right hand possession'.

I am not a scholar neither posses enough knowledge in religion to comment over it, but this was my rough guess.

 

[SQ8]

By most accounts and as stated, the Prophet had nikah with Aisha when she entered puberty and she left for his house somewhere in that time. She was young enough to play with dolls..which is taken as an argument that she was very young.. but we cannot establish at this time(because of the way our society is different) if playing with dolls was only restricted to a certain age group..

 

[Awesome]

By most accounts and as stated, the Prophet had nikah with Aisha when she entered puberty and she left for his house somewhere in that time. She was young enough to play with dolls..which is taken as an argument that she was very young.. but we cannot establish at this time(because of the way our society is different) if playing with dolls was only restricted to a certain age group..

But young enough to play with dolls alone can't tell you anything.

On valentines day - 40 year old women also appreciate getting a Teddy bear with a heart on it.

 

[Zarvan]

This is an issue I started thinking about after I read arguments, that used the more widely reported age of nine, to attack Islam and, Mohammed specifically. The argument is basically that a child of that age is obviously a "child", and therefore to consummate any sort of physical relationship with someone at that age is morally wrong, not to mention the physical and emotional trauma that the child would be subjected to.

Therefore if we consider such acts "immoral" today, how could a prophet of God commit an act that would not be moral for "all time"? I personally subscribe to the argument that Hazrat Ayesha's age is incorrectly reported as being 6/9, and as this gentleman argues, was more likely 16 or 17.


What was <i>Ayesha's</i> (ra) Age at the Time of Her Marriage to the Prophet (pbuh)?

Their is some confusion too although I don't give a dam about what kafirs think what I know she reached puberty but still some confusion exists for example when you ask Ulemas what is the age difference between HAZRAT AYESHA RA and her elder sister Asma they will say 10 and when you will ask them what was Asma age at the time of migration they all will say 28 so how come HAZRAT AYESHA RA was only 9 at Hijra ??????????? that is the confusion here

 

[That Guy]

I just have one simple question, what makes 18, 19, 20, or 21 acceptable ages and 12-16 unacceptable? Who came up with this idea of having these specific ages as being acceptable? Why do these specific ages matter, as there is no real biological reason for them?

I'm not trying to defend or offend anyone, nor am I trying to start a new debate, I'm just curious as to what other people think.

 

[Spring Onion]

have to dig this thread as a known Islam hater Indian member today started abusing our Prophet by bringing this topic in an irrelevant thread . But its good i have to add something informative here .






Of Aisha’s age at marriage
By Nilofar Ahmed
Published Feb 16, 2012 11:50pm

IT is said that Hazrat Aisha was six years old when her nikah was performed with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Makkah, and nine years old when she moved in to live with her husband in Madina after Hijra.

This piece of misinformation has led to the wrong view that child marriage has the sanction of Islam. It must be noted that establishing the authenticity of hadiths, the narrators’ circumstances and the conditions at that time have to be correlated with historical facts. There is only one hadith by Hisham which suggests the age of Hazrat Aisha as being nine when she came to live with her husband.

Many authentic hadiths also show that Hisham’s narration is incongruous with several historical facts about the Prophet’s life, on which there is consensus. With reference to scholars such as Umar Ahmed Usmani, Hakim Niaz Ahmed and Habibur Rehman Kandhulvi, I would like to present some arguments in favour of the fact that Hazrat Aisha was at least 18 years old when her nikah was performed and at least 21 when she moved into the Prophet’s house to live with him.

According to Umar Ahmed Usmani, in Surah Al-Nisa, it is said that the guardian of the orphans should keep testing them, until they reach the age of marriage, before returning their property (4:6). From this scholars have concluded that the Quran sets a minimum age of marriage which is at least puberty. Since the approval of the girl has a legal standing, she cannot be a minor.

Hisham bin Urwah is the main narrator of this hadith. His life is divided into two periods: in 131A.H. the Madani period ended, and the Iraqi period started, when Hisham was 71 years old. Hafiz Zehbi has spoken about Hisham’s loss of memory in his later period. His students in Madina, Imam Malik and Imam Abu Hanifah, do not mention this hadith. Imam Malik and the people of Madina criticised him for his Iraqi hadiths.

All the narrators of this hadith are Iraqis who had heard it from Hisham. Allama Kandhulvi says that the words spoken in connection with Hazrat Aisha’s age were tissa ashara, meaning 19, when Hisham only heard (or remembered), tissa, meaning nine. Maulana Usmani thinks this change was purposely and maliciously made later.

Historian Ibn Ishaq in his Sirat Rasul Allah has given a list of the people who accepted Islam in the first year of the proclamation of Islam, in which Hazrat Aisha’s name is mentioned as Abu Bakr’s “little daughter Aisha”. If we accept Hisham’s calculations, she was not even born at that time.

Some time after the death of the Prophet’s first wife, Hazrat Khadija, Khawla suggested to the Prophet that he get married again, to a bikrun, referring to Hazrat Aisha (Musnad Ahmed). In Arabic bikrun is used for an unmarried girl who has crossed the age of puberty and is of marriageable age. The word cannot be used for a six-year-old girl.

Some scholars think that Hazrat Aisha was married off so early because in Arabia girls mature at an early age. But this was not a common custom of the Arabs at that time. According to Allama Kandhulvi, there is no such case on record either before or after Islam. Neither has this ever been promoted as a Sunnah of the Prophet. The Prophet married off his daughters Fatima at 21 and Ruquiyya at 23. Besides, Hazrat Abu Bakr, Aisha’s father, married off his eldest daughter Asma at the age of 26.

Hazrat Aisha narrates that she was present on the battlefield at the Battle of Badar (Muslim). This leads one to conclude that Hazrat Aisha moved into the Prophet’s house in 1 A.H. But a nine-year-old could not have been taken on a rough and risky military mission.

In 2 A.H, the Prophet refused to take boys of less than 15 years of age to the battle of Uhud. Would he have allowed a 10-year-old girl to accompany him? But Anas reported that he saw Aisha and Umme Sulaim carrying goatskins full of water and serving it to the soldiers (Bukhari). Umme Sulaim and Umme Ammara, the other women present at Uhud, were both strong, mature women whose duties were the lifting of the dead and injured, treating their wounds, carrying water in heavy goatskins, supplying ammunition and even taking up the sword.

Hazrat Aisha used the kunniat, the title derived from the name of a child, of Umme Abdullah after her nephew and adopted son. If she was six when her nikah was performed, she would have been only eight years his senior, hardly making him eligible for adoption. Also, a little girl could not have given up on ever having her own child and used an adopted child’s name for her kunniat.

Hazrat Aisha’s nephew Urwah once remarked that he was not surprised about her amazing knowledge of Islamic law, poetry and history because she was the wife of the Prophet and the daughter of Abu Bakr. If she was eight when her father migrated, when did she learn poetry and history from him?

There is consensus that Hazrat Aisha was 10 years younger than her elder sister Asma, whose age at the time of the hijrah, or migration to Madina, was about 28. It can be concluded that Hazrat Aisha was about 18 years old at migration. On her moving to the Prophet’s house, she was a young woman at 21. Hisham is the single narrator of the hadith whose authenticity is challenged, for it does not correlate with the many historical facts of the time.

The writer is a scholar of the Quran and writes on contemporary issues.
Of Aisha’s age at marriage - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

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@Manticore