I did try to explain this issue before in an old post of mine but it is misorientated and lacks some informations as well.This post mostly contains what was written before with some additions.But I think that this new post shall be enough to answer anyone who tries to accuse Islam because of this marriage.
First of all.The age of Aisha,May Allah be pleased with her,was indeed 6 years at the time of marriage and not 18.Those who say so need to read this article.
https://islamqa.info/en/124483
THE MARRIAGE OF AYESHA R.A.
Why did it happen at such a young age,This is a valid question.
According to Saheeh Report,she was married at 6 and the marriage was consummated at the age 9.
1}-The Hot Climate.
Back then in the extreme hot climate of Arabia.Kids actually grew faster.Am I kidding?No.
The French Philosopher Montesquieu,who was actually a staunch critic of Islam and Religion in general stated in "THE SPIRIT OF LAWS that was used in developing the American Constitution that in hot climates,women are marriageable at age 8,9,10 and by the age of 20,they were even considered old.
At-Tirmidhi said: ‘Aa’ishah said: When a girl reaches the age of nine years, she is a woman.
Sunan at-Tirmidhi (2/409)
2)-AYESHA,May Allah be pleased with her,WAS PLESED WITH THE MARRIAGE.
Let's put things into proper perspective - 9 year olds from 1000+ years ago matured faster..both physically and emotionally.. the 9 year old today is not the same as 1000+ years ago.
It is rather 'unethical' and 'immoral' to demonise a certain culture/practice from a certain time period ..because they vary from place to place and time to time ...
just because it does not fit with our 'post modern understand' (21st century western mindset) doesn't mean it should be demonised
This was their tradition and it wasn't an anomaly to marry someone that young all over the world.
Reality is..people married age younger ages. • Román law 100 B.C brides were 12 yrs old
•St Augustine from 10yr old 350 A.D
•King Richard ll married 7yr old at 1396
•In 1791 Frances Napoleonic code set marriage of consent 11yrs old
•1880 USA, Delaware min age to marry was 7yrs old and •California age of 10yrs
The above is only in the past 1000 years
And people have the audacity to speak about the Prophet of almighty God ..Muhammed peace be upon him from over 1,450 years ago
If she was a victim of a 'gruesome act' for 9 years (prophet of Allah died when she was 18)
.. she would be dysfunctional, disorientated and mentally effected
.. rather she was loved immensely and prophet (peace be upon him) openly expressed his love to her .. its recorded after she took a sip..he would drink from same place. After taking a bite of food..he would eat from same spot.
We are referring to the marriage of aisha 9 with the Prophet of Allah (God almighty) - she was 'sharp, intelligent and wise' - she was the youngest and most beloved wife of prophet .. aka The mother of the Believers
She (aisha RadhiAllahu'anhu Allah be pleased with her) ..narrated over 2000 volumes of actions and sayings (Hadiths) of prophet muhammed (peace be upon him) and she became the greatest female scholars and teachers of many schools to come.
She would defend the Prophet of God numerous with immense passion ..during times when he was mocked by the enemies of Islam.
3)-Quote to me a single Hadith where it shows that Ayesha was unpleased with the marriage,On the contrary,we see the exact opposite,as explained above.
4)-FORCED MARRIAGES ARE HARAM.
https://islamqa.info/en/4602
5)-MARRIAGE OF MINORS IS HARAM EXCEPT WHEN THAT MARRIAGE HAS CLEAR BENEFIT FOR THAT MINOR.
https://islamqa.info/en/178318
Also marriage at this age was nothing new at that time as explained above.Below are such examples.
Imam ash-Shaafa‘i said: In Yemen I saw many girls aged nine who had reached puberty.
Siyar A‘laam an-Nubala’ (10/91)
Al-Bayhaqi (1588) narrated that ash-Shaafa‘i said: The earliest age at which I heard of girls reaching puberty was the women of Tihaamah who reach puberty at the age of nine.
Ash-Shaafa‘i also said: In San‘aa’ I saw a grandmother who was twenty-one years old; she reached puberty at the age of nine and gave birth at the age of ten, and her daughter reached puberty at the age of nine and gave birth at the age of ten.
As-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi (1/319)
6)-This marriage benefitted this Ummah immensely.Islam would not be completed without Ayesha,May Allah be pleased with her.It was indeed an honour for her that Islam was being completed through her,Through the narrations she narrated.She contributed much and is called the "Mother of the Believers."She was given honour by this marriage and she was well pleased with it and the marriage of a girl against her wish is Haram.
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Islamicboard please delete my previous thread on this issue.This is better than the last one.I want people to read this instad of that.
Explaining the Marriage of Ayesha R.A.