I found this message on a forum and would like input please.

I would like an answer without threats, insults or fatwahs coming down upon me....


The Koran and the hadiths are the most sacred books for Muslims. The hadiths
by sahih Bukhari are considered to be the most authentic.

Here are some excerpts from Sahih Bukhari that establish that Muhammad
commited stautory rape by marrying six year old aishaa.

SOURCE EVIDENCE THAT AISHA WAS 9 WHEN HER MARRIAGE TO MUHAMMAD WAS CONSUMMATED

There are a number of sources, all written by Muslims, that document
Muhammad's marriage and consummation with his young child-bride - Aisha. I
will quote the sources to prove Muhammad did this.


FROM THE HADITH OF SAHIH BUKHARI

I have used Bukhari's Hadith, translated into English by Dr. Muhammad
Muhsin Khan, at the Islamic University in Medina. Bukhari's Hadith is
considered authentic by the majority of Sunni Islamic scholars. It is second
to the Quran in terms of importance. The central figure to approve and sign
the translation is Dr. Amin Al-Masri, Ph.D. Cambridge University. He is the
Advisor and Head of the Sharia Dept., at the College of Sharia and Islamic
Studies in Mecca.


From Bukhari vol. 7, #65:
"Narrated Aisha that the prophet wrote the marriage contract with her
when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine
years old. Hisham said: "I have been informed that Aisha remained with the
prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death).""


Bukhari vol. 7, #88:
"Narrated Urwa: "The prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with Aisha
while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she
was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his
death).""


Bukhari vol. 5, #234 says:
"Narrated Aisha: The prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six. We
went to Medina and stayed at the home of Harith Kharzraj. Then I got ill and
my hair fell down. Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother, Um Ruman,
came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends. She
called me, and I went to her, not knowing what she wanted to do to me. She
caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house. I was
breathless then, and when my breathing became all right, she took some water
and rubbed my face and head with it. Then she took me into the house. There
in the house I saw some Ansari women who said, "Best wishes and Allah's
blessing and a good luck." Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared
me (for the marriage). Unexpectedly Allah's messenger came to me in the
forenoon and my mother handed me over to him, and at that time I was a girl of
nine years of age."



FROM THE HADITH OF THE SUNAN OF ABU DAWUD

Abu Dawud's Hadith is the third most respected Hadith in Islam.

From Abu Dawud, Vol. 2, #2116:

"Aisha said, "The Apostle of Allah married me when I was seven years
old." (The narrator Sulaiman said: "Or six years."). "He had intercourse
with me when I was 9 years old."



FROM THE HISTORY OF TABARI

Tabari wrote the most authentic Islamic history. It covers 39 volumes.
Tabari was one of the greatest Islamic scholars and the greatest Islamic
Historian.

From Tabari, volume 7, page7:

"....My marriage (to Muhammad) was consummated when I was nine....."


From Tabari, volume 9, page 131

"Then the men and women got up and left. The Messenger of God
consummated his marriage with me in my house when I was nine years old.
Neither a camel nor a sheep was slaughtered on behalf of me"......(The
Prophet) married her three years before the Emigration, when she was seven
years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine years old, after he
had emigrated to Medina in Shawwal. She was eighteen years old when he died.



NOTE FROM SAHIH MUSLIM

Sahih Muslim, #5981 says that Aisha was so young that she played with her
dolls in her house with her friends.




------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------
---------

I also want to provide evidence from the best Islamic Ency. available in
English, and other Islamic writers. They also acknowledge Aisha's age being
9.


FROM THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ISLAM, under "Aisha". (pub. by E.J. Brill).

"Some time after the death of Khadija, Khawla suggested to Muhammad that
he should marry either Aisha, the 6 year old daughter of his chief follower,
or Sawda Zama, a widow of about 30, who had gone as a Muslim to Abyssinia and
whose husband had died there. Muhammad is said to have asked her to arrange
for him to marry both. It had already been agreed that Aisha should marry
Djubayr Mutim, whose father, though still pagan, was friendly to the
Muslims. By common consent, however, this agreement was set aside, and
Muhammad was betrothed to Aisha.... The marriage was not consummated until
some months after the Hidjra, (in April 623, 624). Aisha went to live in an
apartment in Muhammad's house, later the mosque of Median. She cannot have
been more than ten years old at the time and took her toys to her new home."


From the Muslim book "WOMEN IN ISLAM" by Said Abjullah Seif-Al-Hatimy,
published by Islamic Publications in Lahore Pakistan:

"...(Aisha) She was the youngest of his wives. It is said that she was
nine years of age when he married her."



SUMMATION OF THE EVIDENCE OF AISHA'S AGE

I've belabored the point. But because of the controversy within the
Islamic world I had to document her age thoroughly. The most respected
Hadith and Islamic scholars from early on until this present day state that
Aisha was 9 when she engaged in sexual relations with Muhammad. Muhammad was
54 years old when that happened.

Abaddon7:

Here is the answer to your question, provided you should read, read with open mind.

Bismilah,

Why Did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Married Young Aisha Siddiqa (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.).

Let's probe some of the orientalists' charges in detail in the light of modern research, historic evidence and the Islamic sources of the Qur'an and the Sunnah to separate truth from falsehood, and display to the world that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is indeed an exemplary for all of mankind.

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 Paedophile.

B. He was involved in child abuse.

Let's analyse 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 paedophile?
Definition of a Paedophile:
"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 paedophile 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." Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1998.

"pe.do.phil.ia n [NL] (1906): sexual perversion in which children are the preferred sexual object -- pe.do.phil.i.ac or pe.do.phil.ic adj." Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.

The diagnostic criteria for paedophilia according to American Psychiatric Association:

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.
The person has acted on these urges, or is markedly distressed by them. The person is at least 16 years old and at least 5 years older than the child or children in A.

DSM-III-R Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, rev ed. 3, (American Psychiatric Association).

"In addition to their paedophilia, a significant number of paedophiles are concomitantly or have previously been involved in exhibitionism, voyeurism, or rape". (Voyeurism is the recurrent preoccupation with fantasised or acts that involve seeking out or observing people who are naked, or are engaged in grooming or in sexual activity).

Harold I. Kaplan et al., Synopsis of Psychiatry, 5th ed. (Williams and Wilkens, 1988), p. 360.

Does the prophet fit the above criteria of a paedophile? With the above criteria of a paedophile in mind, lets analyse the lifestyle of the prophet and his marriages.

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

Percentage of his wives who were widows = 75%

Comments: The statistics show that the prophet's marriage to Aisha at her young age was an exception and not a norm of his other marriages. Furthermore "a paedophile's main mode of sexual satisfaction is with prepubescent girls", which is contradictory to the 91% of prophet's marriage to women 17 years and over. An unbiased examination of Prophet's life and his marriages to his wives blatantly rejects the notion of his lifestyle fitting that of a paedophile. All his brides were aged widows (except Aisha and Marya).

Moreover, according to the criteria in the references cited above in Synopsis of Psychiatry, a vast majority of paedophiles possess a history of exhibitionism, voyeurism, or rape. Again, there is no single reference from either religious or secular sources that the noble Prophet ever indulged in such sadistic behaviour (God forbid). This truth is observed and accepted by both Muslims and unbiased non-Muslims scholars.

"It is impossible for anyone who studies the life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty Arabian teacher."

Annie Besant, The Life and Teachings of Muhammad (Madras, 1932), p. 4.

B. Others claim that the noble Prophet (peace be upon him) indulged in child-abuse when he married Aisha at her young age
Let scrutinise this allegation...

Definition of Child Abuse:
Child Abuse, also called CRUELTY TO CHILDREN, the wilful and unjustifiable infliction of pain and suffering on children. The term can denote the use of inordinate physical violence; unjustifiable verbal abuse; the failure to furnish proper shelter, nourishment, medical treatment, or emotional support; incest; other cases of sexual molestation or rape; and the making of child pornography. Frequently described by the medical profession as the "battered-child syndrome," abusive treatment of children is almost universally proscribed by criminal statutes. Child abuse can have serious future consequences for the victims involved. Delays in physical growth, impaired language and cognitive abilities, and problems in personality development, learning, and behaviour are common following instances of child abuse or neglect. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1998

Comments: None of the criteria of child-abuse applies to the noble life of the Prophet (pbuh). There is no single incident of any infliction of pain and suffering by the prophet on Aisha or any other human being for that matter. Neither any instance of verbal or sexual abuse can be concluded from the relationship of the prophet with Aisha (r.a.) or any of his wives.

An abused child can have serious future consequences...delayed physical growth, impaired language..learning and behaviour...etc (above definition). As one examines the chaste life of Aisha (r.a.), her personality, physical, mental and spiritual development are all contrary to that of an abused child. In fact through the Prophet's marriage and his guidance to Aisha, history testifies that she should be labelled not as an abused child but as a 'blessed child'.

After analysing and refuting the accusations against the noble character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the only viable alternative left with us is:

C. The Prophet married Aisha for the benefit of Islam and Humanity
Lets analyse...

1. The Prophet married Aisha primarily for three reasons:

a. To reinforce the friendly relations already existing with Abu Bakr (his closest companion).

b. To educate and train Aisha for the purposes of Islam.

c. To utilise her capabilities for the sake of Islam.

2. Her Marriage with the prophet was a Wahy (Divine Revelation). She, herself relates from the Prophet. "He said, 'I saw you in dreams three times. The angel brought you to me and you were clad in white silk. He (the angel) said that it was your consort and he (angel) showed me by opening your face. You are just like that..." Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, p. 285.

3. Aisha (r.a.) was born after her parents had embraced Islam. Therefore, she was free from the defilement of polytheism right from her birth.

4. In her youth, already known for her striking beauty and her formidable memory, she came under the loving care and attention of the Prophet himself. As his wife and close companion she acquired from him knowledge and insight such as no woman has ever acquired.

Aisha lived on almost fifty years after the passing away of the Prophet. She had been his wife for a decade. Much of this time was spent in learning and acquiring knowledge of the two most important sources of God's guidance, the Qur'an and the Sunnah of His Prophet. Aisha (r.a.) was one of the three wives (the other two being Hafsa (r.a.) and Umm Salama (r.a.) who memorised the Revelation. Like Hafsa (r.a.), she had her own script of the Qur'an written after the Prophet had died.

So far as the Hadith or sayings of the Prophet is concerned, Aisha (r.a.) is one of four persons (the others being Abu Hurayra, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Anas ibn Malik) who transmitted more than two thousand sayings. From her, 2210 Hadith have come, out of which 174 Hadith are commonly agreed upon by both Bukhari and Muslim.

Many of her transmissions pertain to some of the most intimate aspects of personal behaviour which only someone in Aisha's position could have learnt. What is most important is that her knowledge of Hadith was passed on in written form by at least three persons including her nephew Urwah who became one of the greatest scholars among the generation after the Companions.

It is the claim of the Scholars of Islam that without her, half of the Ilm-I-Hadith [knowledge, understanding of the Hadith (and Islam)] would have perished.

5. Many of the learned companions of the Prophet and their followers benefited from Aishah's knowledge. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari once said:

"If we companions of the Messenger of God had any difficulty on a matter, we asked Aisha about it."

"Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said from Said ibn al-Musayyab that Abu Musa al-Ash'ari came to Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said to her, "The disagreement of the companions in a matter which I hate to bring before you has distressed me." She said, "What is that? You did not ask your mother about it, so ask me." He said, "A man penetrates his wife, but becomes listless and does not ejaculate. "She said, "When the circumcised part passes the circumcised part ghusl is obligatory." Abu Musa added, "I shall never ask anyone about this after you."

Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik, Hadith 2.75.

Arwa Bin Zubair says,

"I did not find anyone more proficient [than Aisha (r.a.)] in the knowledge of the Holy Qur'an, the Commandments of Halal (lawful) and Haram (prohibited), Ilmul-Ansab and Arabic poetry. That is why, even senior companions of the Prophet used to consult Aisha (r.a.) in resolving intricate issued".

Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Sa'ad, Jala-ul-Afham, vol. 2, p. 26.

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari says:

"Never had we (the companions) had any difficulty for the solution of which we approached Aisha and did not get some useful information from her".

Sirat-I-Aisha, on the authority of Trimidhi, p. 163.

6. As a teacher she had a clear and persuasive manner of speech and her power of oratory has been described in superlative terms by al-Ahnaf who said: "I have heard speeches of Abu Bakr and Umar, Uthman and Ali and the Khulafa up to this day, but I have not heard speech more persuasive and more beautiful from the mouth of any person than from the mouth of Aisha."

The Prophet said,

"The superiority of 'Aisha to other ladies is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. meat and bread dish) to other meals. Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Mary, the daughter of Imran and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith, Narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Hadith 4.643.

Musa Ibn Talha (r.a.) says,

"I did not see anyone more eloquent than Aisha (r.a.)"

Mustadrak of Hakim, vol.4, p.11.

7. Men and women came from far and wide to benefit from her knowledge.

Aisha's great interest in the study of the Qur'an is understandable. She was an eye-witness to a number of revelations and had therefore a clear idea of the circumstances in which they were revealed. It was on her bed alone (and no other consort's) that the Prophet received Wahy (Divine Revelations) several times. This helped her in interpreting the verses.

8. At the time of the Prophet's death, the Prophet's head was on her lap. It was in her quarters that the Prophet was buried.

The life of Aisha (R) is a proof that a woman can be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of scholars and experts. Her life is also a proof that a woman can exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and leadership. Aisha (R) is a continuing inspiration and role model to today's youth who are diligently searching for an example amongst the pop stars, movie actresses and sports stars. May the memory of her's live forever in the heart of the Muslim Ummah and may Allah grant her the highest abode in Paradise...Ameen.

Conclusion
It was the aforementioned qualities of Aisha (r.a.) and the Prophet's guidance in moulding these capabilities for the service of Islam, were the main reasons, why the Prophet Married young Aisha (r.a.), and not the perverted reasons brought forth by misguided orientalists.

Muslims invite all sincere humans to study the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon) in the light of the authentic sources of the Qur'an and the Sunnah (exemplary sayings and deeds of the Prophet) and judge for themselves where the truth lies. Indeed, by recognising the truth of Islam as the final and complete Guidance sent by our Creator can humanity find lasting peace in this world and a means of salvation from the hell fire in the hereafter.

"I have studied him - the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today."

George Bernard Shaw, The Genuine Islam, vol. 1, no. 81936.

Though, the Prophet is not among us in his flesh, but his exemplary life has been preserved for all humanity to follow.

When Truth comes, Falsehood disappears, Islam came, now Shirk (polytheism) must clear.

Welcome to Islam...

Abaddon7:

I hope you will read till end.

Bismilah,

My response to the "Child Molester" lie against our beloved Prophet, Muhammad peace be upon him:

Note: Please pay attention toward the end of this article to the Virgin Mary's (peace be upon her) age. According to Christian resources, Mary was 12-14 when she got pregnant. You will also see proofs from the Jews' Holiest Book, the Talmud, that girls were married off before at the age of 3.

Every time the Muslims talk about Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him to the anti-Islamic, the anti-Islamic use Muhammad's marriage with a girl named Aisha as a point against Islam. They claim that since Muhammad was in his 50's and Aisha was only 9 years old, then its ok to call him a "Child Molester".

This is a terrible unfair attack on Islam because it doesn't apply to our beloved prophet in anyway !.

Was Aisha engaged to someone else before she got engaged to Muhammad?

Aisha was already engaged to a non Muslim man named Jober Ibn Al-Moteam Ibn Oday. Back then, the people of Mecca did not object to Aisha's engagement to Jober because she was physically big enough and tall enough to be considered for marriage. Her parents saw that and they engaged her to Jober.

The only reason why Aisha's father, Abu Baker Al Siddeek, broke her engagement with Jober is because he was a non Muslim. Later, a woman named Kholeah Bint Hakeem suggested for Muhammad to marry Aisha, because Muhammad and Abu Baker became best friends. Muhammad engaged Aisha for 2 years before he married her.

All Muslim scholars agree 100% that Muhammad and Aisha were engaged for 2 years before marriage. However, some say that she was 7 when she got engaged, and 9 when she got married. Others say that she was 9 when she got engaged and 11 when she got married.

I personally think that it makes more logical sense to say that she was 9 when she got engaged to Muhammad and 11 when she got married, because if she were 7 when she got engaged to Muhammad, then how old was she when she first got engaged to Jober? I don't think she was big enough and mature enough to get engaged with Jober before the age of 7. I don't think her parents would have allowed it.

The Middle Eastern and other Cultures:

If you take the time to study a little bit about the history of the tribes in South America, Middle East, Africa, India and the far eastern Oriental countries 1400 years ago, you would find that many tribes even until today allow the marriage of females at a very young age.

Do you think it is fair for you to come today and attack our beloved Prophet and call him a child molester when nobody 1400 years ago from his tribe had objected to his marriage? Not even the Pagans of Mecca, nor the Jews and Christians of Medina ever objected to it or used it as a point against Islam as anti-Islamic do today.

We all need to understand the culture that we are talking about. Life in the Middle East is a very simple one. It is a lot simpler than what our brain can imagine, because the simplest to us here in America may be a very difficult or complicated thing to them in the Middle East especially for those folks who live in tribes in the rural areas where they don't have TV, electricity, or any electrical equipment. They live on natural water and survive on what they have available from fruits, vegetables and animals as food.

Parents look at the girl's physical appearance when they prepare her for marriage. They don't care about her age. She could be 9 or 13, it doesn't matter.

What about Aisha's parents (mom and dad), are they too "Child Molesters"?

Since Aisha's parents both approved of her engagement with Jober and later approved to her marriage to Muhammad, is it fair for anyone to call her mom and dad and former fianc�e and whole tribe all child molesters? I think whoever does that would be out of his mind and needs to study a little history about the Middle East.

More on Aisha's Marriage and its acceptance by the Arab culture back then

The following article was sent to me by brother Faris Osman Abdat; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him.

Asalamu Alaikum brother Osama

Below are the points that perhaps could be of some use in the defense of the marriage of Lady Aisha to our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him). You would know if they are good enough to be utilize, insyallah :

"Firstly - if indeed the marriage of Lady Aisha was something which was despicable even at that time and in that culture, this fact would never have been recorded for posterity and all efforts to conceal or cloud it would have been undertaken.

But the fact that this hadith had reached us after it was recorded centuries ago and to all the Muslim generations in between proved that the marriage was culturally and morally acceptable and the fact is also that the Muslim community at that time remained unshakened in its faith in his Prophethood and the message which he had brought bear testimony to this assertion.

Secondly - we have to look at the life of Lady Aisha afterwards. She was without doubt one of the foremost scholars of Islam. It is even said that she had attained in her lifetime the position of Mufti - someone capable of giving religious rulings - a position very few Muslims will ever occupy.

She was seeked by many, both men and women, who hungered for knowledge and they came to her from all directions, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria. History does not know of any woman who was approached by so many for such a noble purpose.

If indeed she had became a victim of sexual abuse she would in most probability be devastated emotionally, psychologically, mentally and perhaps even physically but the achievements she had made in her life after the death of the Prophet proved that she was a woman who was in complete control of her faculties, becoming one of the intellectual giants of Islam.

And the fact that she had spoken so dearly of the Prophet was indicative of the innocence of the marriage and of the impeccable character of her husband because given the trust enjoyed by her by the virtue of her relationship with him, she could have unleashed a vengeful attack against him by attributing to him words or deeds of horrendous nature if indeed she was a victim of his supposed lust, destroying both the Prophet and Islam.

No sexual abuse victim would ever spoke positively of her attacker, much less becoming a channel that promote love and understanding of him and the message which he had brought."

What about Mary, Jesus' Mother peace be upon both of them? How old was she when she got pregnant?

Not only was it a custom in the Arab society to Engage/Marry a young girl it was also common in the Jewish society. the case of Mary the mother of Jesus comes to mind, in non biblical sources she was between 11-14 years old when she conceived Jesus. Mary had already been "BETHROED" to Joseph before conceiving Jesus. Joseph was a much older man. therefore Mary was younger than 11-14 years of age when she was "BETHROED" to Joseph. we Muslims would never call Joseph a Child Molester, nor would we refer to the "Holy Ghost" of the Bible, that "Impregnated" Mary as a "Rapist" or "Adulterer".

This paragraph was sent to me by brother Mike, who embraced Islam recently; may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him: According to the Priest of Saint Mary's Catholic Church: "Mary was approximately 14 years old when she got pregnant with Jesus. Joseph, Mary's Husband is believed to be around 36. Mary was only 13 when she married Joseph. When she first was arranged with Joseph she was between 7 to 9 years old."

According to the "Oxford Dictionary Bible" commentary, Mary (peace be upon her) was was 12 years old when she became impregnated.

So if I want to be as silly and ridiculous as many of the Christians, I would respond to them by saying that Mary was psychologically and emotionally devastated for getting pregnant at a very young age. And speaking of "child molesting", since most Christians believe that Jesus is the Creater of this universe, then why did GOD allow himself to enter life through a 12-year old young girl's vagina? Please note that we Muslims love and respect Allah Almighty, Mary, Jesus and Allah's Message to the People of the Book (The Jews and Christians). In other words, we Muslims would never make fun of Christianity through such childish topic like this one as many ridiculous Christians do make fun of Islam through our Prophet's (peace be upon him) marriage.

The point is:

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was not a child molester as the haters of Islam claim. He was a Noble Messenger of God. Muhammad peace be upon him lived in a society and culture that existed 1400 years ago, and we must not judge what he or others did based on our standards today. It is wrong and foolish to do so !.