Title:
What was Ayesha's (ra) Age at the Time of Her Marriage to the Prophet (pbuh)?
Question:
What was Ayesha's (ra) age at the time of her marriage?
It is normally believed that she was nine years old at the time of her marriage with Mohammad (sws) was consummated. I do think it was according to the traditions of the Arab culture, as otherwise people would have objected to this marriage. But unfortunately, the modern day man is not satisfied with an answer as simple as that.
Answer:
To begin with[1], I think it is the responsibility of all those who believe that marrying a girl as young as nine years old was an accepted norm of the Arab culture, to provide at least a few examples to substantiate their point of view. I have not yet been able to find a single reliable instance in the books of Arab history where a girl as young as nine years old was given away in marriage. Unless such examples are given, we do not have any reasonable grounds to believe that it really was an accepted norm.
In my opinion, the age of Ayesha (ra) has been grossly misreported in the narratives of the incident. Not only that, I think that the narratives reporting this event are not only highly unreliable but also that on the basis of other historical data, the event reported, is quite an unlikely happening. Let us look at the issue from an objective stand point. My reservations in accepting the narratives, on the basis of which, Ayesha's (ra) age at the time of her marriage with the Prophet (pbuh) is held to be nine years are:
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Most of these narratives are reported only by Hisham ibn `urwah reporting on the authority of his father. An event as well known as the one being reported, should logically have been reported by more people than just one, two or three.
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It is quite strange that no one from Medinah, where Hisham ibn `urwah lived the first seventy-one years of his life has narrated the event, even though in Medinah his pupils included people as well known as Malik ibn Anas. All the narratives of this event have been reported by narrators from Iraq, where Hisham is reported to have shifted after living in Medinah for seventy-one years.
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Tehzeeb al-Tehzeeb, one of the most well known books on the life and reliability of the narrators of the traditions ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) reports that according to Yaqub ibn Shaibah: "narratives reported by Hisham are reliable except those that are reported through the people of Iraq". It further states that Malik ibn Anas objected on those narratives of Hisham, which were reported through people of Iraq (Vol. 11, pg. 48 - 51).
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Meezaan al-Ai`tidaal, another book on the narrators of the traditions of the Prophet (pbuh) reports that when he was old, Hisham's memory suffered quite badly (Vol. 4, pg. 301 - 302).
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According to the generally accepted tradition, Ayesha (ra) was born about eight years before Hijrah. However, according to another narrative in Bukhari (Kitaab al-Tafseer) Ayesha (ra) is reported to have said that at the time Surah Al-Qamar, the 54th chapter of the Qur'an , was revealed, "I was a young girl". The 54th Surah of the Qur'an was revealed nine years before Hijrah. According to this tradition, Ayesha (ra) had not only been born before the revelation of the referred Surah, but was actually a young girl (jariyah), not even only an infant (sibyah) at that time. Obviously, if this narrative is held to be true, it is in clear contradiction with the narratives reported by Hisham ibn `urwah. I see absolutely no reason that after the comments of the experts on the narratives of Hisham ibn `urwah, why should we not accept this narrative to be more accurate.
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According to a number of narratives, Ayesha (ra) accompanied the Muslims in the battle of Badr and Uhud. Furthermore, it is also reported in books of hadith and history that no one under the age of 15 years was allowed to take part in the battle of Uhud. All the boys below 15 years of age were sent back. Ayesha's (ra) participation in the battle of Badr and Uhud clearly indicates that she was not nine or ten years old at that time. After all, women used to accompany men to the battlefields to help them, not to be a burden upon them.
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According to almost all the historians Asma (ra), the elder sister of Ayesha (ra) was ten years older than Ayesha (ra). It is reported in Taqreeb al-Tehzeeb as well as Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah that Asma (ra) died in the 73rd year after hijrah[2] when she was 100 years old. Now, obviously if Asma (ra) was 100 years old in the 73rd year after hijrah, she should have been 27 or 28 years old at the time of hijrah. If Asma (ra) was 27 or 28 years old at the time of hijrah, Ayesha (ra) should have been 17 or 18 years old at that time. Thus, Ayesha (ra) - if she got married in 1 AH (after hijrah) or 2 AH - was between 18 to 20 years old at the time of her marriage.
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Tabari in his treatise on Islamic history, while mentioning Abu Bakr (ra) reports that Abu Bakr had four children and all four were born during the Jahiliyyah - the pre Islamic period. Obviously, if Ayesha (ra) was born in the period of jahiliyyah, she could not have been less than 14 years in 1 AH - the time she most likely got married.
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According to Ibn Hisham, the historian, Ayesha (ra) accepted Islam quite some time before Umar ibn Khattab (ra). This shows that Ayesha (ra) accepted Islam during the first year of Islam. While, if the narrative of Ayesha's (ra) marriage at seven years of age is held to be true, Ayesha (ra) should not even have been born during the first year of Islam.
*
Tabari has also reported that at the time Abu Bakr (ra) planned on migrating to Habshah (8 years before Hijrah), he went to Mut`am - with whose son Ayesha (ra) was engaged at that time - and asked him to take Ayesha (ra) in his house as his son's wife. Mut`am refused, because Abu Bakr had embraced Islam. Subsequently, his son divorced Ayesha (ra). Now, if Ayesha (ra) was only seven years old at the time of her marriage, she could not have been born at the time Abu Bakr decided on migrating to Habshah. On the basis of this report it seems only reasonable to assume that Ayesha (ra) had not only been born 8 years before hijrah, but was also a young lady, quite prepared for marriage.
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According to a narrative reported by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, after the death of Khadijah (ra), when Khaulah (ra) came to the Prophet (pbuh) advising him to marry again, the Prophet (pbuh) asked her regarding the choices she had in her mind. Khaulah said: "You can marry a virgin (bikr) or a woman who has already been married (thayyib)". When the Prophet (pbuh) asked about who the virgin was, Khaulah proposed Ayesha's (ra) name. All those who know the Arabic language, are aware that the word "bikr" in the Arabic language is not used for an immature nine-year old girl. The correct word for a young playful girl, as stated earlier is "Jariyah". "Bikr" on the other hand, is used for an unmarried lady, and obviously a nine year old is not a "lady".
*
According to Ibn Hajar, Fatimah (ra) was five years older than Ayesha (ra). Fatimah (ra) is reported to have been born when the Prophet (pbuh) was 35 years old. Thus, even if this information is taken to be correct, Ayesha (ra) could by no means be less than 14 years old at the time of hijrah, and 15 or 16 years old at the time of her marriage.
To begin with[1], I think it is the responsibility of all those who believe that marrying a girl as young as nine years old was an accepted norm of the Arab culture, to provide at least a few examples to substantiate their point of view. I have not yet been able to find a single reliable instance in the books of Arab history where a girl as young as nine years old was given away in marriage. Unless such examples are given, we do not have any reasonable grounds to believe that it really was an accepted norm.
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.a...ID=4604&CATE=1 states:
- Al-Shafi`i in al-Umm reported that he saw countless examples of nine-year old pubescent girls in Yemen. Al-Bayhaqi also narrates it from him in the Sunan al-Kubra as does al-Dhahabi in the Siyar.
- Al-Bayhaqi narrated with his chains in his Sunan al-Kubra no less than three examples of Muslim wives that gave birth at age nine or ten.
- Hisham ibn `Urwa himself (whom the objector claims to know enough to forward the most barefaced judgments on his reliability) married Fatima bint al-Mundhir when she was nine years old (al-Muntazam and Tarikh Baghdad).
- Our liege-lord `Umar married Umm Kulthum the daughter of `Ali and Fatima at a similar age per `Abd al-Razzaq, Ibn `Abd al-Barr and others.
dumbo, as for the rest of the article i think those who differ need regarding age need to disprove Sahih Bukhari and Sahih muslim, and prove our islam should be taken from other historical books.
- Al-Shafi`i in al-Umm reported that he saw countless examples of nine-year old pubescent girls in Yemen. Al-Bayhaqi also narrates it from him in the Sunan al-Kubra as does al-Dhahabi in the Siyar.
But al-Shafi'i was born after Muhammed wasn't he? Surely the improtant question is not what Muslims did after Muhammed, but what Arabs did before Muhammed? The question is whether this reflects normal behaviour in Arab culture before Islam or Islamic reform.
- Al-Bayhaqi narrated with his chains in his Sunan al-Kubra no less than three examples of Muslim wives that gave birth at age nine or ten.
Sure. Muslim wives. So after Muhammed established the norm for Muslims.
Le coeur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connait pas. - Blaise Pascal
dumbo, as for the rest of the article i think those who differ need regarding age need to disprove Sahih Bukhari and Sahih muslim, and prove our islam should be taken from other historical books.
Its not a matter of "disproving" Bukhari and Muslim. Apparently hadiths relating to historical events were not investigated as thoroughly as those relating to islamic rulings. The Author of the article himself uses other hadiths in bukhari which indicate Aisha's age at different times e.g. the revelation of Surah 54. Regarding the hadiths re Aishas age at marriage, he is pointing out the areas of doubt.
1. there is no completely madinian chain of narration of this event. Surely it would be more widely reported in the place where Aisha spent most of her life.
2. according to Tehzeeb al-Tehzeeb, one of the most well known books on the life and reliability of the narrators of the traditions ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) reports that according to Yaqub ibn Shaibah: "narratives reported by Hisham are reliable except those that are reported through the people of Iraq". It further states that Malik ibn Anas objected on those narratives of Hisham, which were reported through people of Iraq (Vol. 11, pg. 48 - 51) And these hadiths are narrated through people in iraq, hence it can be said there is doubt about its reliability.
3. Other hadith which indicate Aishas age at different times, conflicting with these hadiths relating to her marriage age.
This puts forward a doubt to the authenticity of these hadiths.
Rather than debating the age, i would appreciate it very much if someone could give me some info on the actual relationship of the prophet ()pbuh)with Aisha.
So after Muhammed established the norm for Muslims.
THe notion that Muhammad initiated a new practice in marrying young girls is quite absurd, especially considering the fact that Aisha was already engaged to someone else.
And you misunderstood the quote from Ash-Shafi'i. He said he saw nine year old pubescent girls in yemen, something that relates primarily to the climate's influence on maturity, then marital practices. If he found this to be common in Yemen (bearing in mind that this was only 2/3 generations after the Prophet Muhammad's time) then it means that it was part of the arab culture there.
format_quote Originally Posted by nishom
Rather than debating the age, i would appreciate it very much if someone could give me some info on the actual relationship of the prophet ()pbuh)with Aisha.
I agree that it is besides the point to debate over her age. The important thing is that the Prophet Muhammad pbuh married her after she reached the age of puberty, and it was customary to marry at an early age then. If you read this thread from the beginning you will find that I've given lots of information on the Prophet's relationship with Aisha rd.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik]
THe notion that Muhammad initiated a new practice in marrying young girls is quite absurd, especially considering the fact that Aisha was already engaged to someone else.
And you misunderstood the quote from Ash-Shafi'i. He said he saw nine year old pubescent girls in yemen, something that relates primarily to the climate's influence on maturity, then marital practices. If he found this to be common in Yemen (bearing in mind that this was only 2/3 generations after the Prophet Muhammad's time) then it means that it was part of the arab culture there.
I was hoping for some great links as you usually give me more to think about. Being engaged is not the same as being married. Also I would want to know about the historical basis of the claim of engagement.
It was part of Muslim Arab culture there. It was only a little while after Muhammed's time but he would have seen a lot of things there he would not have seen before Muhammed - prayers for instance. Why is it absurd?
If I remember correctly one of Muhammed's Jewish wives was taken after her husband was killed following three days (I think) of marriage. That suggests some women got married a lot older. Fatima was nineteen or so when she married. Which has always struck me as odd. Presumably Khadija was older than nine as well when she married for the first time. There must be a lot of material on marriages before Islam.
Le coeur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connait pas. - Blaise Pascal
THe notion that Muhammad initiated a new practice in marrying young girls is quite absurd, especially considering the fact that Aisha was already engaged to someone else.
And you misunderstood the quote from Ash-Shafi'i. He said he saw nine year old pubescent girls in yemen, something that relates primarily to the climate's influence on maturity, then marital practices. If he found this to be common in Yemen (bearing in mind that this was only 2/3 generations after the Prophet Muhammad's time) then it means that it was part of the arab culture there.
I agree that it is besides the point to debate over her age. The important thing is that the Prophet Muhammad pbuh married her after she reached the age of puberty, and it was customary to marry at an early age then. If you read this thread from the beginning you will find that I've given lots of information on the Prophet's relationship with Aisha rd.
I was hoping for some great links as you usually give me more to think about. Being engaged is not the same as being married. Also I would want to know about the historical basis of the claim of engagement.
I didn't provide links because I was pretty sure I had already mentioned it in this thread or another. I don't have time to search for it now, so I'll just point out again that Aisha rd was engaged to the son of Mu'tim bin Adiy who later cancelled the marriage because Abu Bakr rd was a Muslim, and this point is mentioned in practically every detailed sirah.
It was part of Muslim Arab culture there. It was only a little while after Muhammed's time but he would have seen a lot of things there he would not have seen before Muhammed - prayers for instance. Why is it absurd?
Because of the reasons you pointed out yourself. First, prayer is obligatory and part of the religion. Marrying a very young girl is not even considered a sunnah, so by no means could it be considered part of the religion. Second, as you pointed out yourself, most of the Prophet's marriages were to women much older than A'isha. Why would the yemeni's reverse their entire culture in less than two generations to follow what the Prophet pbuh did once, and not what he normally did? The only logical explanation is that the the cultural norm in yemen, as in many other parts of arabia, was to marry girls young. This is the only way to interpret Imam Ash-Shafi'i's observation.
Peace.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik]
Its not a matter of "disproving" Bukhari and Muslim. Apparently hadiths relating to historical events were not investigated as thoroughly as those relating to islamic rulings. The Author of the article himself uses other hadiths in bukhari which indicate Aisha's age at different times e.g. the revelation of Surah 54. Regarding the hadiths re Aishas age at marriage, he is pointing out the areas of doubt.
1. there is no completely madinian chain of narration of this event. Surely it would be more widely reported in the place where Aisha spent most of her life.
2. according to Tehzeeb al-Tehzeeb, one of the most well known books on the life and reliability of the narrators of the traditions ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) reports that according to Yaqub ibn Shaibah: "narratives reported by Hisham are reliable except those that are reported through the people of Iraq". It further states that Malik ibn Anas objected on those narratives of Hisham, which were reported through people of Iraq (Vol. 11, pg. 48 - 51) And these hadiths are narrated through people in iraq, hence it can be said there is doubt about its reliability.
3. Other hadith which indicate Aishas age at different times, conflicting with these hadiths relating to her marriage age.
This puts forward a doubt to the authenticity of these hadiths.
lol and those are supposed to be the reasons for not accepting Bukhari? Actually i was wondering if u could shed some light on
3. Other hadith which indicate Aishas age at different times, conflicting with these hadiths relating to her marriage age.
Regarding weak Narrtaion point which is sometimes brought up, Mufti Ebrahim Desai answers:
Question:
What was the age of Hazrat Ayesha Siddique(RAA) at the time of her marriage to Rasulullah(SAW)?
Some muslims who are appalled by the idea that she was as young as 9yrs old when the marriage was consumated, say she could not have been so young and that the Hadiths which say she was 9 are not reliable because they are transmitted by a narrator from Iraq and these narrators are not reliable and they cite evidence for their claims. See http://www.understanding-islam.com/ri/mi-004.htm
Answer: Our beloved Mother, Hadhrat Aisha (Radhiallahu Anha) was 9 years of age at the time of the consummation of her marriage with Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). This is proved from dozens of different authentic ahadith, narrated from many different Sahabah. Certain modernists, in an attempt to distort this fact have tried to cast doubt on the authenticity of this narration by questioning the reliability of one narrator, however they seem to have (deliberately) overlooked the fact that this very same narration is reported by over a dozen other reliable reporters.
There is absolutely no reason for us to try to deny or apologize for the marriage of Hadhrat Aisha (Radhiallahu anha) at this young age. The women of that time would mature much quicker, thus once she matured her marriage was consummated.
Tabari in his treatise on Islamic history, while mentioning Abu Bakr (ra) reports that Abu Bakr had four children and all four were born during the Jahiliyyah - the pre-Islamic period. Obviously, if Ayesha (ra) was born in the period of jahiliyyah, she could not have been less than 14 years in 1 AH - the time she most likely got married.
The original statement in Tabari, its translation and reference follows:
All four of his [i.e. Abu Bakr's] children were born of his two wives - the names of whom we have already mentioned - during the pre-Islamic period. (Tarikh al-umam wa al-mamloo'k, Al-Tabari, Vol. 4, Pg. 50, Arabic, Dar al-fikr, Beirut, 1979)
In the second article the Author states:
Al-Tabari nowhere reports that "Abu Bakr's four children were all born in Jahiliyya" but only that Abu Bakr married both their mothers in Jahiliyya, Qutayla bint Sa`d and Umm Ruman, who bore him four children in all, two each, `A'isha being the daughter of Umm Ruman.
This is confusing me. Does anyone here know which statement is correct?
Amazingly this "issue" has never disturbed me. When we realistically think of a nine year old girl, during Aisha's time period, we need to consider that marriage after menses was very common (for muslims, jews, and christians).
It may be too much information, but I must admit that at nine years of age I was equal to a lot of 15-18 year old girls in respect to physical maturity. Physical and emotional development varies for each girl.
true, and nothing is ever against anybodys will, in marriage the female muslim should have the choice to agree or disagree, if anybody does different its against....
"1. Qull huwa Allahu ahad Allahu alssamad Lam yalid walam yoolad Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad"
Say: He is Allah the One and Only Allah, the Eternal Absolute He begetteth not nor is He begotten And there is none like unto Him.
(112)
Amazingly this "issue" has never disturbed me. When we realistically think of a nine year old girl, during Aisha's time period, we need to consider that marriage after menses was very common (for muslims, jews, and christians).
It may be too much information, but I must admit that at nine years of age I was equal to a lot of 15-18 year old girls in respect to physical maturity. Physical and emotional development varies for each girl.
very true, maturity used to be different age back in time. Look at the example of King Tut for instance...
I didn't provide links because I was pretty sure I had already mentioned it in this thread or another. I don't have time to search for it now, so I'll just point out again that Aisha rd was engaged to the son of Mu'tim bin Adiy who later cancelled the marriage because Abu Bakr rd was a Muslim, and this point is mentioned in practically every detailed sirah.
I will see if I can look for a previous thread.
But again, being engaged to is not the same as being married to. A lot of cultures promise children when young. Not all of them marry them young.
Because of the reasons you pointed out yourself. First, prayer is obligatory and part of the religion. Marrying a very young girl is not even considered a sunnah, so by no means could it be considered part of the religion.
Surely everything Muhammed did is relevant for Muslims and part, even if a minor part, of the religion?
Second, as you pointed out yourself, most of the Prophet's marriages were to women much older than A'isha. Why would the yemeni's reverse their entire culture in less than two generations to follow what the Prophet pbuh did once, and not what he normally did? The only logical explanation is that the the cultural norm in yemen, as in many other parts of arabia, was to marry girls young. This is the only way to interpret Imam Ash-Shafi'i's observation.
Because everything they did before hand was from the Days of Ignorance. Everything they did after should be Islamic. Presumably their entire culture changed over those two generations as they ceased to do what they did before and started to behave Islamically. Muhammed provided a model to be emulated.
I think it is fairly convincing, but I do not think it is the only explanation.
Le coeur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connait pas. - Blaise Pascal
I don't understand why the prophet wouldn't marry Hamza but would marry Aisha.
Vol 7, Book 62. Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah). Hadith 037.
Narrated By Ibn 'Abbas : It was said to the Prophet, "Won't you marry the daughter of Hamza?" He said, "She is my foster niece (brother's daughter)."
Vol 7, Book 62. Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah). Hadith 018.
Narrated By 'Ursa : 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."
Surely everything Muhammed did is relevant for Muslims and part, even if a minor part, of the religion?
This is a misunderstanding of Islamic law. Actions which the Prophet did do not automatically become part of the religion unless he recommended them, in which case they become Sunnah. Riding a camel is not considered part of the religion, for example.
Also, the Prophet pbuh normally married women much older than A'isha, so why would the exception and not the norm become the tradition to be followed?
Because everything they did before hand was from the Days of Ignorance. Everything they did after should be Islamic.
But you didn't answer my point about the Prophet normally marrying women older than A'isha. Why would they reverse their culture to follow something that the Prophet pbuh did not usually do?
sargon
format_quote Originally Posted by sargon
I don't understand why the prophet wouldn't marry Hamza's daughter but would marry Aisha.
Hamza was actually the Prophet's foster brother. But Abu Bakar was just his brother in Islam.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik]
Why simply becasue there are men in the west that abuse children.
The Prophet Muhammad saw married the Lady Aisha..
A large difference,,married...
While the west recognized that many of it people take for granted the loose society it is in and abuse children,even their own....
Thus the reason for the law.
take for exaple the latest case of a westerner being charged with sexual abuse of young girls in asia.Ziggy is it...
He had his way with the children,changing partners every so often...
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