:sl: Brother Imaad,
The following fatwa regarding your question from Islam Today will inshallah be of benefit to you:
Dear questioner:
Al-Salâm `Alaykum wa Rahmah Allah wa Barakâtuh.
It is correct that the Prophet (peace be upon him) married `Âishâh at the age of six or seven and consummated his marriage when she was nine years old.
Imam Muslim narrated that `Aishah said: “The Prophet (Peace be upon him) married me, contractually, at the age of six, and consummated the marriage with me at the age of nine.” [Sahîh Muslim (1422)]
The lawfulness of consummating a marriage at such an age is contingent on the maturity of the girl and that no harm would come to her.
As far as negative psychological and emotional effects are concerned – consequences we would surely expect if such a marriage took place in our society today – we must understand that marriage at that age was not an unusual practice at the time in that society. It was quite commonplace and raised no eyebrows, even among the most ardent enemies of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who would have jumped at any occasion to criticize him.
None of the Prophet’s enemies at that time – whether pagan, Jew, or Christian – so much as snickered when he married `Â’ishah, since it was a totally normal marriage in their society at that time.
The determination of what is a suitable marriage age is a cultural matter that is determined according to the norms and customs of the people. Indeed such an act would be unacceptable in our society today and could cause serious harm for the people involved, especially for the young girl. However, we should not allow our contemporary cultural norms and societal circumstances cause us to misjudge or misevaluate events of the past.
And Allah knows best.
And also from the IslamToday archives:
The following answer from our archives may also be of interest:
Answered by Sheikh `Abd al-`Azîz b Ahmad al-Durayhim
Al-Salâm `Alaykum wa Rahmah Allah wa Barakâtuh.
The marriage contract will be valid as long as its legal conditions are fulfilled – such as the guardian and the witnesses – and all possible legal obstructions are absent. Islamic scholars have never – to the extent of my knowledge – stipulated a minimum age for marriage for either men or women. This is because the sacred texts are phrased in absolute, unqualified terms. Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) contracted his marriage with `Â’ishah when she was seven years of age and consummated that marriage with her when she was nine.
This is looking at the question strictly from the context of Islamic Law.
As for the possible negative consequences of a man of such a mature age marrying such a young girl, it is patently obvious. The discrepancies in their capabilities, both physically and mentally, could bring about serious differences between the two of them that could lead to the failure of the marriage. This is something that has been seen and is well understood.
Therefore, I would not recommend such a marriage nor would I encourage it.
Moreover, with respect to what we have said about the legal validity of such a marriage, that refers to the validity of the contract itself. As for the effects of the marriage – such as privacy, intimacy and sexual relations – that is another matter entirely. Such things are permitted only if the girl is able to handle such a relationship without any harm whatsoever coming to. Otherwise, it is prohibited. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There shall be no harm nor the causing of harm.”
It can also be seen in the very conduct of the Prophet (peace be upon him). He did not consummate his marriage with `Â’ishah for a number of years on account of her young age.
May Allah guide us all to what He loves and is pleased with.
Fatwâ Department Research Committee of IslamToday.net chaired by Sheikh `Abd al-Wahhâb al-Turayrî
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