The Prophet (pbuh) and Aisha

[imaad_udeen]

I have read several sources and translations of hadiths which tell the story of the Prophet (pbuh) and his wife Aisha.

Now, please excuse my ignorance, I only reverted to Islam just over a year ago and have not been fully aware of the details of this story until very recently.

I have been able to gather that Aisha was 6 years old when she was married to the Prophet (pbuh) and that the marriage was consumated when she was just 9 years old. I have read that Aisha had reached puberty earlier than most other girls and that in the Holy Quran (correct me if I am mistaken) Allah (swt) says that a girl becomes a woman when she has her first menstration.

As I understand the Hadiths, right after her first menstration she was taken to the Prophets (pbuh) house to begin her life as his wife. I just dont understand why Allah (swt) would tell Muhammed (pbuh) to take a wife so young. One of the hadiths recounts a dream Muhammed (pbuh) had which revealed that he should marry Aisha.

Also, does this mean that under Shariah it is acceptable for a Muslim man to take a wife of 9 years of age if she were to reach puberty that soon? :?

I am a little confused by this and any insight from my Brothers and Sisters in Islam would be much appreciated.

 

[Safa]

Because the Prophet (pbuh) saw it in a dream that he should marry Aisha (ra), he married her to obey Allah (swt). Otherwise he wouldn't have had any intention of marrying her.

As for age difference, it was socially acceptable for him (pbuh) to marry Aisha (ra).
- Her father agreed to give her hand in marriage.
-The society was aware of the marriage taking place and they had no objection to it, showing that the marriage was acceptable at that time.

As for whether it is allowed in the Shari'ah, all I can tell you that it was acceptable for the Prophet (pbuh). But concerning any other person you would have to take into account the man's character, the woman's consent, her wali's consent, whether it is acceptable with society and other factors that I might have missed out.

This topic has also been discussed before:

The Marriage of Aisha (ra) to the Prophet (pbuh)

 

[Khattab]

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