Aisha (r.a)

Aisha - Youngest Wife of the Prophet Muhammad

Short Biography of Aisha Bint Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq

Aisha was the youngest and favorite wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Aisha (r.a) was a great Muslim lady. She was very talented and had a wonderful memory. A Muslim scholar, she is credited with narrating more than two thousand hadith. She had a great love of learning and became noted for her intelligence, learning and sharp sense of judgement.Aishah (r.a ) memorized quite a number of Surahs of the Qur'an. Her father was a man of learning and she inherited his love of knowledge.

Following the death of his first wife of 25 years, Khadija bint Khawilad, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)* entered into twelve other marriages. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq was the third and youngest wife, and the only childbride.

Aisha - Child Bride

Aisha was born in Mecca in 614 CE to Umm Ruman and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the closest friend of the Prophet Muhammad ( sal ) and the first khalifa of Islam. Most accounts report that Aisha was six years old at the time of her marriage and nine when the marriage was consummated. Although the bridal age of Aisha sometimes draws criticism, child marriages in 7th century Arabia were culturally and morally acceptable, just as they were in Biblical times.

The Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was known to have an impeccable character, and his marriage to a child bride was an exception to his other marriages. Aisha was the only child and one of only two virgins to marry the Prophet (peace be upon him). His other wives were all widowed or divorced

Why did Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) married young Ayesha Siddiqua (r.a )?

Through the centuries, orientalists have advance numerous accusations and far-fetched theories to discredit Islam and its last Prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Praise be to Allah alone, all such accusations have been successfully refuted by the Muslims Ummah. Currently, one of the 'reinvented' accusations against the noble character of the Prophet is about his marriage to young Aisha Siddiqa (r.a.).

Two main theories are often advance by orientalists to attack the pure character of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on his marriage to Aisha (r.a.) at her young age.

A. He was a Pedophile.

B. He was involved in child abuse.

Let's analyze each theory to dig out the truth, through the Guidance of Allah (SWT).

A. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) married Aisha (r.a.) because he was a pedophile?

Definition of a Pedophile:

"Pedophile: also spelled PAEDOPHILIA, psychosexual disorder in which an adult's arousal and sexual gratification occur primarily through sexual contact with prepubescent children. The typical pedophile is unable to find satisfaction in an adult sexual relationship and may have low self-esteem, seeing sexual activity with a child as less threatening than that with an adult." Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998.

The diagnostic criteria for pedophilia according to American Psychiatric Association:

v Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent intense sexual urges and sexual arousing fantasies involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children.

v The person has acted on these urges , or is markedly distressed by them.

v The person is at least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than the child.

Does the prophet fit the above criteria of a paedophile?

With the above criteria of a pedophile in mind, lets analyze the lifestyle of the prophet and his marriages.

His marriages:

Name of Bride

Bride's age at marriage

Comments

1.Hazrat Khadija Bint Khuwaylid

40

Twice widowed before

2. Hazrat Sawada Bint Zam'a

50

Widow

3. Hazrat A'isha Bint Abu Bakr

9

Started living with the prophet at the age of 9

4.Hazrat Hafsa Bint 'Umar

22

Widow

5.Hazrat Zaynab Bint Khuzayma

30

?

6.Hazrat Ummay Salama Hind Bint Abi Umayya

26

Widow

7.Hazrat Zaynab Bint Jahsh

38

divorced

8.Hazrat Juwayria Bint Al-Haritha

20

Widow

9. Hazrat Umm Habiba Ramla Bint Bint Abi Sufyan

36

Widow

10.Hazrat Safya Bint Huyayya

17

Widow

11.Hazrat Maymuna Bint Al-Haritha

36

Widow

12.Hazrat Maria al-Qibtiyya

17

Virgin, Egyptian

Statistics from the above table:

Percentage of his wives who were 17 years and older = 91 %

Percentage of his w