firedragon
Veteran Member
Aisha, and the love of a particular hadith
Bukhari's hadith says Aisha was 6 when she got married to the prophet Muhammed. Apparently the marriage was consummated at the age of 9. Imam Muslim's hadith says she got married when she was 7. So thats a classic case of Master vs Disciple contradiction. Bukhari starts collecting hadith after two centuries, his disciple changes the story within a few years, wonder what kind of changes took place through 8 whole generations???
This so called marriage according to ahadith has been reported to have occured in the year 624 (earliest 623). Thats the foundation to all of these hadith analysis.
1. Same Bukhari reports in the book of commentary, book 58, hadith number 1784 that a Surah or chapter (chapter 54) has a verse that was revealed when she was in mecca (Before the Hijra) and she was a "Jaariyathu Alabu" which means "a young girl at playful age".
What does that mean? It means that Aisha was a young girl, who was of a playful age when this chapter 54 was revealed. So Aisha supposedly narrated this as she remembered and narrated the verse as well, and what age do you think she would have been in order to remember a verse of the Quran and to remember the day it was revealed or time period in Mecca? She would have been what age? 10? 8?
And when was chapter 54 revealed?? It was revealed in 614 (10 years before the supposed marriage). Then how old do you think she would have been? 20? 18? Why are you clashing with your own Hadith?
2. Second hadith in Bukhari says that Aisha reports that ever since she could reason (Aqal or reasoning power) which is a mature age where someone can reason for themselves, her parents were Muslims. Right. So when was that? 610?
How old do you think she would have been then at an age where she can use her own Aqal? Kunthu Aaqil. 10 years old? So does that make her 24 years on the year 624? Alright, some argue that maybe she grew up early and used her reasoning prowess at a very young age. Lol. Okay fine. So lets say she was 6 (which is impossible). Still, she would have been 20 years old in 624. What now? Another contradiction?
3. There are many ahadith about the sister of Aisha who was 10 years older to her. This is of course a very well known thing though. There is a book called Al Bidhayah wa al Nihayah which would mean the beginning and the end that speaks of Asma who is the sister of Aisha. This is a pretty large amount of work but it contains certain narratives that state this Asma's age in comparison to Aisha's. She was 10 years older.
Asma, Aishas sister is supposed have died in the 73rd year of Hijri which is reported by a scholar in traditional islamic circles had more respect in his sophisticated scholarship of Islam even in comparison to historian and scholar Ibn Kathir. His name was Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani. He reported in his book called Fine Tuning. 100-73 = 27. So at the time of Hijri, Asma was 27 years old. Which would mean Aisha was 17 years old. So this marriage which would have taken place in the 1st or 2nd Hijra makes Aisha 18 or 19. Is that another contradiction?
These 3 things a quite well known. And is nothing compared to a lot more one could speak of when it comes to ahadith. Now lets take a look at the Qur'an.
What does the Quran say? Please follow this and understand the logical representation of this subject.
1. You can only give inheritance to a mature person.
And do not give the immature ones your money for which God has made you overseers, and spend on them from it and clothe them, and speak to them in goodness. – Quran 4:5
Immaturity is described by the Arabic word Shufaha. Which the child is yet not ready to take up responsibility of managing his or her finances. This is speaking of an orphan under your care but yet it defines when a child can inherit, an age where s/he is mature enough to manage it.
2. So when do you test the child for maturity?
Quran calls it Balaghul Nikaha.
And test the orphans when they reach age of marriage, then, if you have determined from them comprehension/maturity/age of marriage, then give them their money, - Excerpt – Quran 4:6
Maturity, the age of marriage is tied to your ability to manage your own finances and inheritance.
3. Rushdan, in 4:6 means sound judgement. Thus, the age of marriage is also defined by sound judgement.
Thus, there are easily four criteria for the age of marriage.
1. Not Shufaha or immature, childish.
2. Balaghul Nikaha or the age of marriage which is synonymous in classical Arabic to maturity.
3. Sound judgement.
4. Mature enough to inherit their wealth and manage their finances.
What age do you think a girl can fit into this criterion? 9? 12? 19? 20? You decide.
Another reference to maturity is full physical growth as in Quran 40:67 where Ashaddakum from the root Shadad means full physical growth. So you must know when your child is full grown.
I have seen many silly arguments of people pick only one of these points to make their case which is pretty childish. For example, one person asks “So you decided you can marry off your daughter because she reached full growth at the age of 12?”. Well you cherry picked. Above I have given four criteria as well.
Another verse many have used taken off the internet is Quran chapter 65 verse 4. I say this before anyone brings this out with all due respect. Let me give an old translation so that its not modern scholarship.
Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the
prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses [it is the same]: for those who carry [life within their wombs], their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy. – Quran 65:4
There are some translations which would say “Not yet menstruated” instead of “No courses”.
Take a holistic approach. Not just one cherry picked verse that suits your personal sentiment. Quran is onne book.
This verse is speaking of women who go through a divorce where it stipulates certain conditions before the lady is to leave the premises where they had their marital life. So please understand that first, you are married because you are already fully grown, mature enough to manage your finances, balaghul nikaha and so forth. You are already married meeting these criteria and now you are going through a divorce.
Chapter 65 verse 4
1. Premise: In case of divorce (To get a divorce, you are already married. To be married, you are already old enough as spelled out earlier)
2. Wa allathi ya ishna minal maheedhi. Those who are done with their menstruation. Which means Ya Ishna, your menstruations are over. This is menopause. For them, at the time of a divorce their interim period is three months.
3. Wa allathi yaa hidhna means the ones who have not menstruated. Now this is the verse a lot of people use to insult the whole system of islam. But it’s a cheap trick. You will understand why.
It does not say “Never menstruated” and in classical Arabic this could never ever mean one who has not achieved puberty. It is completely illogical. As a non-muslim you could use this this maliciously to insult but also as a Muslim you could use this for your perverted intentions. But none of this is logical if you take the context of the Quran and you should see that its illogical.
You are talking of a girl who is already married because she has reached the right ripe age of marriage. Balagul nikaha. Now she is going through a divorce. And now she cannot be thrown out of where she is living for three months. Both, those who don’t get periods and those who have not got their periods yet after the decision is made, whoever they are cannot be sent out of their abode for 3 months AFTER THE DIVORCE IS CONFIRMED.
4. Hamal or pregnant women if you find them to be must be allowed fully to stay in the same premises until the delivery.
This is all about a divorce and pregnancy. These are laws set for all times.
According to ahadith and history, Aishas age is so disputed. Again, ACCORDING TO AHADITH, she cannot be such a young, child-bride. And it contradicts the Quran.
Peace.
