AGE OF AISHA (R.A) AT THE TIME OF HER MARRIAGE 9 OR 19 WHEN SHE MARRIED THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD S.A.W?

Engineer Neyaz Ahmad

Apr 7, 2024 — 14 min read

HOME ABOUT US MY PRAYERS 10 COMMANDMENTS CHAPTER 1

Quran 10:1

الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ ١

"The letters 'Alif Lam Ra.' These are the verses of the Wise Book."

Quran 11:1

الٓر ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أُحْكِمَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتْ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ ١

"Alif Lam Ra. [This is] a Book whose verses are perfected and then presented in detail from [one who is] Wise and Acquainted."

Quran 12:1

الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ ١

"Alif Lam Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book."

Quran 14:1

الٓر ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ ٱلنَّاسَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَمِيدِ ١

"Alif Lam Ra. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that you might bring mankind out of darkness into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy."

Quran 33:6

ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَـٰتُهُمْ ۗ٧

"The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers."

[A.1] The Quran serves as the primary source of guidance for Muslims, and it doesn't delve into specific details about the Prophet Muhammad's s.a.w marriages. However, the Hadiths, which are collections of sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, provide supplementary information about his life, including his marriages.

[A.2] Regarding the marriage of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), historical records indicate that it took place around a year after the Hijrah July 622 AD, which marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar. The precise timing and details of this marriage are primarily documented in Hadith literature.

[A.3] It's true that Hadiths were compiled and recorded after the death of Prophet Muhammad, with the earliest compilations dating back to around 100-200 years after his passing. However, Islamic scholars developed rigorous methods to authenticate and classify Hadiths based on their reliability. These methods involved scrutinizing the chains of narrators and the content of the narrations.

[A.4] While the Quran holds the highest level of authenticity and authority in Islam, Hadiths are considered essential for understanding the application of Quranic teachings in daily life. They provide valuable insights into the Prophet Muhammad's s.a.w character, actions, and decisions, which Muslims strive to emulate.

[A.5] Therefore, while the Quran remains the primary source of Islamic teachings, Hadiths play a crucial role in elucidating and contextualizing various aspects of the faith, including the Prophet's life and actions.

[A.6] In Islamic scholarship, discussions about the age of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have been ongoing for centuries, and there are various interpretations and analyses of the historical sources.

[A.7] The narration mentioned from Sahih Bukhari indeed indicates that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described herself as a "young girl" at the time when Surah Al-Qamar (the 54th chapter of the Quran) was revealed. However, the exact age of Aisha at that time is not explicitly stated in the narration.

[A.8] While some scholars interpret this narration to mean that Aisha was older at the time of her marriage, others argue that the term "young girl" can be relative and doesn't necessarily specify a particular age. Additionally, there are other Hadith narrations and historical accounts that suggest she was much younger at the time of her marriage.

[A.9] It's essential to approach these discussions with sensitivity and scholarly rigor, recognizing that interpretations may vary, and historical context is crucial. Ultimately, the age of Aisha r.a at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad remains a matter of scholarly debate, and different scholars may arrive at different conclusions based on the available evidence.

[A.10] According to Sahih Bukhari, recognized as one of the most authentic collections of Hadiths, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) is recorded to have described herself as a "young girl" when Surah Al-Qamar, the 54th chapter of the Quran, was revealed. This revelation occurred approximately nine years before the Hijrah. At the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he was 54 years old. Given that the Prophet (peace be upon him) married Aisha one year after the Hijrah, it suggests that Aisha was not an infant (sibyah) but rather a young girl (jariyah) at the time. If, for instance, she was around 6 years old when she made this statement, then she would have been over 16 years old at the time of her marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him). One name of prophet Muhammad s.a.w was Maheen, and Maheen means the crescent moon.

[A.11] According to various narrations, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) indeed accompanied the Muslims in the Battles of Badr and Uhud. It was customary for women to provide support in battle by tending to the wounded. Additionally, there were regulations stipulating that individuals under the age of 15 were not permitted to participate in battles.

[A.12] Considering that the Battle of Badr took place two years after the Hijrah and the Battle of Uhud occurred three years after the Hijrah, and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Aisha one year after the Hijrah, it logically follows that she could not have been six years old at the time of her marriage. This evidence suggests that she was indeed older, likely over the age of 16, when she married the Prophet (peace be upon him) and accompanied the Muslims in these battles.

[A.13] Moreover, it's essential to recognize that Islam emphasizes the importance of mutual consent in marriage. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that it is necessary to seek the consent of the woman before marriage. A six-year-old child may not have the capacity to fully understand or give consent to such a significant decision. Therefore, the idea that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was older at the time of her marriage aligns with Islamic principles regarding consent and maturity.

[A.14] The calculation provided regarding the age of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) based on the age of her sister Asma (may Allah be pleased with her) is one perspective that some scholars use to estimate Aisha's age at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.15] According to this calculation, if Asma r.a was indeed 27 years old at the time of the Hijrah, and assuming Aisha r.a was 10 years younger than Asma r.a, it would place Aisha r.a at approximately 17 years old at the time of the Hijrah. Given that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Aisha r.a one year after the Hijrah, this calculation suggests that she would have been around 18 years old at the time of her marriage.

[A.16] Similarly, if Aisha r.a was 10 years younger than Asma r.a, as proposed, then she would have been approximately 17 years old at the time of the Hijrah. This calculation aligns with the narrative that Aisha r.a described herself as a "young girl" when Surah Al-Qamar was revealed 9 years ago, indicating she was old enough (8 years) to have clear memories at that time.

[A.17] It's important to note that these calculations are based on various historical sources and interpretations, and scholars may have differing opinions on the exact age of Aisha r.a at the time of her marriage. However, the analysis provided offers valuable insight into one approach used by scholars to estimate her age based on available historical data.

[A.18] The historical accounts provided by Tabari are indeed significant in understanding the context of Aisha's (may Allah be pleased with her) age at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). If Aisha r.a was born before the declaration of prophethood, as suggested by Tabari's account that all of Abu Bakr's children were born before the advent of Islam, it would indicate that Aisha r.a was older than 18 years old at the time of the Hijrah.

[A.19] Assuming, as mentioned, that Aisha r.a was born two years before the declaration of prophethood, it would mean she was indeed older than 18 years old during the Hijrah. Given that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Aisha r.a one year after the Hijrah, this calculation supports the notion that she would have been at least 19 years old at the time of her marriage.

[A.20] These historical records, along with other evidence and interpretations from Islamic sources, contribute to the ongoing scholarly discussion regarding Aisha's age at the time of her marriage. While different scholars may have varying perspectives on this matter, the information provided adds depth to the understanding of Aisha's age and the context surrounding her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.21] The timeline presented regarding the acceptance of Islam by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) provides valuable context for understanding Aisha's age at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.22] If Aisha r.a accepted Islam before Umar ibn Khattab r.a, who embraced Islam approximately seven years before the Hijrah, it indicates that Aisha r.a would have been old enough to understand and make the decision to accept Islam. Assuming she was a young girl at the time of her acceptance of Islam, it suggests that she was likely older than 17 years old before the Hijrah.

[A.23] When we add nine years to her age before the Hijrah, it supports the notion that she would have been more than 18 years old at the time of the Hijrah. Given that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Aisha r.a one year after the Hijrah, this calculation indicates that she would have been at least 19 years old at the time of her marriage.

[A.24] This interpretation aligns with the understanding that Aisha r.a was mature enough to comprehend and accept Islam before the migration to Medina. It contributes to the broader discussion regarding her age and the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.25] The information provided by Ibn Hajar regarding the age difference between Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), is significant in estimating Aisha's age at the time of her marriage.

[A.26] If Fatima r.a was indeed five years older than Aisha r.a, and assuming Fatima r.a was born more than seven years before Prophet Muhammad's prophethood, it would indicate that Fatima r.a was born more than 20 years before the Hijrah.

[A.27] Given that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Aisha r.a one year after the Hijrah, this calculation suggests that Aisha r.a would have been older than 18 years old at the time of her marriage. This aligns with the understanding that Aisha r.a was mature at the time of her marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and supports the idea that she was older than commonly assumed.

[A.28] These insights from historical sources, along with other evidence and interpretations, contribute to the ongoing scholarly discussion regarding Aisha's age at the time of her marriage. While different scholars may have varying perspectives on this matter, the information provided by Ibn Hajar adds depth to the understanding of Aisha's age and the context surrounding her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.29] The age at which individuals in historical contexts, including early Islamic society, were married varied significantly depending on various factors such as culture, societal norms, and individual circumstances. While it was common for women to marry at a relatively young age in many societies, marriages at older ages, such as around 20 years old, were not unheard of.

[A.30] The marriage age of Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) at around 20 years old, as mentioned, aligns with the practices of some individuals during that time. Additionally, other historical records indicate that women in early Islamic society often married in their late teens or early twenties.

[A.31] Given this context, it's understandable to question the idea of a six-year-old marrying, as it seems to deviate from the typical age at marriage in that society. Therefore, the notion that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was older at the time of her marriage, possibly around 18 years old, appears more plausible and aligns with the practices of the time.

[A.32] It's essential to approach these discussions with sensitivity and consideration of historical context, recognizing that societal norms and practices have evolved over time. While marriages at younger ages may seem unusual by modern standards, they were not uncommon in historical contexts, and interpretations of such practices often involve nuanced considerations of various factors.

[A.33] The collective evidence suggests that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was not six years old at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.34] Where is the source of the claim that she was nine years old? How did this misconception about her age start circulating among those who don't believe in Islam?

[A.35] The narrative suggesting that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was nine years old at the time of her marriage is attributed to only one source, Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him), who reported it based on what he heard from his father. It's notable that this account stands alone, as no other companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) corroborated this specific age.

[A.36] Hisham ibn Urwah lived in Medina, where there were various communities, including Jewish ones. It's reasonable to assume that if Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had indeed married a nine-year-old, such a significant event would have been reported by other sources, including Jewish sources. However, there is no such corroborating evidence from other communities or historical records.

[A.37] This absence of additional reporting raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of the narrative attributed to Hisham ibn Urwah. It highlights the importance of critically evaluating historical sources and considering the context in which they were transmitted.

[A.38] The fact that Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) moved to Iraq later in his life, specifically at the age of 71, is indeed significant in understanding the context of the narratives regarding Aisha's age at the time of her marriage. It's worth considering that such a move could potentially impact the accuracy of the information he conveyed, particularly if he had become forgetful or if there were errors in transmission.

[A.39] Reports suggesting that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married a nine-year-old are attributed to Hisham ibn Urwah's later period in Iraq. This geographical and temporal distance from the events in Medina raises questions about the reliability of these narratives, especially considering the potential for inaccuracies or misunderstandings to arise over time and distance.

[A.40] It's plausible that errors in reporting, such as confusion between the ages of 19 and 9, could occur, particularly in the context of Hisham ibn Urwah's advanced age and the passage of time. This underscores the importance of critically evaluating historical sources and considering factors such as the reliability of narrators, the context in which the information was transmitted, and the potential for errors or misunderstandings to arise over time.

[A.41] Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) is the sole narrator who mentions Aisha's (may Allah be pleased with her) age as nine years old. There are no other Hadiths supporting this claim.

[A.42] What do other sources or scholars report regarding Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him)?

[A.43] In Tehzibu’l-tehzib, a prominent figure renowned for his expertise in the life and reliability of the Prophet's traditions, what are his comments regarding the narrations of Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him)?

[A.44] Yaqub ibn Shaibah stated that narrations attributed to Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) and transmitted through individuals from Iraq are deemed unreliable. This skepticism arises from the observation that the people of Iraq were influenced by rebellious factions.

[A.45] It is also mentioned that Malik ibn Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) raised objections to the narratives of Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) that were transmitted through individuals from Iraq (Volume 11, pages 48–51).

[A.46] Mizanu’l-ai ‘tidal, another authority on the narrators of the Prophet's traditions, documents that Hisham ibn Urwah's (may Allah be pleased with him) memory significantly declined in his later years, particularly when he reached the age of 71 and beyond (Volume 4, pages 301–302).

[A.47] It is indeed established through various sources that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was not nine years old at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Despite numerous pieces of evidence indicating that she was over 18 years old at the time of her marriage, some individuals focus solely on the narrative attributed to Hisham ibn Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) and use it to unjustly criticize Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.48] It's true that due to limited historical knowledge, many Muslims, as well as others, once believed that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was six years old at the time of her engagement to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and that the marriage was consummated when she was nine, upon reaching puberty. However, this belief has been challenged by various historical sources and evidence.

[A.49] One possibility is that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was indeed over 18 years old at the time of her marriage, as supported by multiple sources. Additionally, it's plausible that she may have reached puberty at a later age, such as 18, or she may have already reached puberty before 17 but remained with her parents for another two years for reasons that are not entirely clear.

[A.50] These considerations underscore the complexity of interpreting historical events and highlight the importance of critically examining sources and evidence to gain a more accurate understanding of Aisha's age and the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

[A.51] Indeed, considering various pieces of evidence and historical context can help establish a more accurate understanding of Aisha's (may Allah be pleased with her) age at the time of her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Her own narration, where she describes herself as a young girl at the time of the revelation of Surah Al-Qamar, suggests that she may have been around eight years old. Adding the ten years until her marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him) provides one possible source indicating she was 18 at the time of marriage.

[A.52] Additionally, if she was believed to be ten years younger than her sister Asma (may Allah be pleased with her), who was 27 at the time of the Hijrah, this would place Aisha at 17 years old at the time of the Hijra. Similarly, if she was believed to be five years younger than Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was born at least seven years before the declaration of prophethood, it suggests that Aisha r.a was born at least two years before the declaration of prophethood and thus over 18 at the time of marriage.

[A.53] These various pieces of evidence support the conclusion that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was indeed over 18 years old at the time of her marriage, offering a more accurate perspective on this historical event.

[A.54] My personal research indicates that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was over 18 years old at the time of her marriage, considering that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was over 54 years old. Therefore, my conclusion aligns with the numerous sources indicating that she was not nine years old at the time of her marriage. It's essential to weigh the collective evidence against the narrative of one individual, who lived far away in what is now modern-day Iraq and may have inadvertently reported her age as six due to the weakness of memory in old age. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which perspective to believe and hence my concluding passage also ends at 54.