Introduction
There are different perspectives in Islamic history regarding the age of Hazrat Aisha at the time of her marriage (nikah). Some claim that she was mature (baligh) at the time of nikah, since she had already started menstruation. However, this claim is not supported anywhere in Kutub al-Sittah (the six major Hadith compilations).
In this article, we will examine the truth of this claim in the light of authentic hadiths and the interpretations of Islamic scholars, and derive a factual conclusion.
The Controversy Over Hazrat Aisha’s Age
Historical and Social Context
In June 2022, India witnessed religious riots, arson, and stone-pelting. The controversy began when BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma commented during a TV debate about the age of Hazrat Aisha at the time of her marriage with Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The debate itself had started after SDPI leader Taslim Rahmani made derogatory remarks about Lord Shiva. Nupur Sharma responded with references from Islamic texts, which was considered an insult to the Prophet (ﷺ), and violent protests broke out.
Truth vs. Insult
No religious leader should be insulted—whether it is Lord Shiva or Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). But there is a difference between truth and insult. Religious facts should be verified first, not taken as a reason for violence.
Islamic Evidence: Hazrat Aisha’s Age
According to Islamic sources:
- Nikah (Marriage contract): at the age of 6 years
- Consummation of marriage (Rukhsati): at the age of 9 years
- Age of the Prophet (ﷺ): 50 years at the time of nikah, 53 years at consummation
Relevant Hadith Evidence:
- Sahih al-Bukhari: 5133, 5134, 5158, 6130
- Sunan Ibn Majah: 1877
- Sunan Abu Dawood: 4933, 2121
- Fath al-Bari, Volume 13, Page 143
Sahih al-Bukhari 5133:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) married me when I was six years old, and consummated the marriage when I was nine years old.”
(In Islamic terminology, consummation of marriage means physical intimacy.)
Sahih al-Bukhari 6130:
“Even after marriage, I was so young that I used to play with dolls.”
Conclusion: Hazrat Aisha’s nikah took place at the age of 6, and the Prophet (ﷺ) was 50 years old at the time. This is why Islamic scholars often avoid open discussion on this matter.
Did Aisha Know About Her Marriage?
Sahih Bukhari 3894
The hadith describes the marriage of Hazrat Aisha (رضي الله عنها) as follows:
Sahi Bukhari 3894“The Prophet ﷺ engaged me when I was six years old. We came to Medina and stayed at the house of Bani Harith bin Khazraj. Then I got a fever and my hair fell out. Later, my hair grew back, and one day my mother Umm Ruman called me to play and had me stand at the doorway. Then she brought me inside, dressed me up, and the Prophet ﷺ received me in the morning. At that time, I was nine years old.”
This hadith indicates that Hazrat Aisha was so young at that time that she could not fully understand the meaning or the events of her marriage. It also shows that during that period, a girl’s personal consent was not formally required.
Sahih Bukhari 5137
This hadith states that the silence of a virgin girl is equivalent to her permission. In other words, if the girl does not object, her explicit consent is not necessary; her silent approval is sufficient.
The Claim of Menstruation (Hayd)
Some scholars claim that Hazrat Aisha had already started menstruating at the time of nikah.
Fact: There is no evidence for this in Kutub al-Sittah. If anyone has such evidence, it can be shared.
Examination of Hadiths: The Condition of Hazrat Aisha
1. The Hadith of Playing with Dolls (Sahih al-Bukhari 6130)
Hazrat Aisha herself narrates that she used to play with her dolls in the presence of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and her friends also played with her. Whenever the Prophet entered the room, her friends would hide behind the door, but the Prophet would call them and let them play with her.
In Islam, playing with dolls is forbidden (haram), but Aisha was very young, which is why she was granted permission. Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (Fath al-Bari, Vol. 13, p. 143) writes that in Islam, playing with dolls or human-like figures is considered haram, but Hazrat Aisha was allowed because she was very young.
Bukhari 6130This activity is clear evidence of her very young age.
Question: If Aisha had been baligh (mature), would she have been allowed to play with dolls?
Answer: No, mature girls were not allowed to play with dolls. This means she was still a minor and had not menstruated.
2. Hadiths Related to Menstruation and Prayer
According to Islamic teachings, if a woman who has started menstruating is present in front of a man, his prayer can be invalidated.
- Sunan Ibn Majah 950, Sahih Muslim 511:
If a donkey, a dog, or a woman passes in front, the prayer is invalidated.
Hazrat Aisha’s response:
“You have compared women with dogs and donkeys? By Allah, I have seen the Prophet praying while I was lying between him and the Qibla.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 514)
Evidence of Aisha’s Age and Minority
- Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 513, 511):
Hazrat Aisha says:
“I used to sleep in front of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, and my legs were in the direction of the Qibla. When he prostrated, he would signal me to move them, and I would draw them back. When he stood up, I would stretch them again.”
Conclusion:
If Aisha had been baligh and had menstruated (hayd), the Prophet ﷺ could not have prayed in her presence.
Because:
- Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 949):
Sunan Ibn Majah 949“يَقْطَعُ الصَّلَاةَ الْمَرْأَةُ الْحَائِضُ، وَالْكَلْبُ، وَالْحِمَارُ”
Translation:
“The menstruating woman, the dog, and the donkey – they invalidate the prayer.”
This means that if a woman who has menstruated (mar’ah ha’id) passes in front, the prayer is broken. If Aisha (RA) had started menstruating, she would fall into this category. In such a situation, the Prophet ﷺ could not have prayed in her presence (since according to this hadith, her presence would invalidate the prayer).
The clear meaning is: If Aisha had menstruated, the Prophet ﷺ could not have prostrated in front of her. But Bukhari’s hadith clearly shows that he prayed in her presence.
Therefore, these hadiths prove that Aisha had not menstruated at that time, i.e., she was a minor.
The Hadiths clearly indicate she was underage.
Interpretations by Islamic Scholars
To resolve this apparent contradiction in hadiths, Islamic scholars gave different explanations:
- Imam Abu Hanifa (80–150 AH): Prayer is not broken if the person is stationary.
- Imam Malik (93–179 AH): Prayer is only broken if the person actively passes in front.
- Imam Shafi’i (150–204 AH): A woman’s mere presence without movement does not invalidate prayer.
- Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (773–852 AH): Aisha’s leg movement was local, not actual crossing.
Important: None of the scholars claimed that Hazrat Aisha had started menstruation at the time of nikah.
Conclusion
- There is no evidence in hadiths that Aisha was mature.
- If she had menstruated, the Prophet’s prayer would have been affected, but this is not shown in hadiths.
- The hadith of playing with dolls (Sahih al-Bukhari 6130) is proof of her being a minor.
- Scholars’ explanations are consistent with hadiths, but none supported the claim that she had menstruated.
Final Conclusion: Based on hadiths and scholarly interpretations, Hazrat Aisha was not mature at the time of nikah. If anyone can provide contrary evidence, the discussion may continue.
The Problem: Lack of Awareness Among Common Muslims
Many Muslims rely directly on clerics (maulvis) or online articles. Because of this, misinformation spreads and violence is adopted as a response. In the case of Nupur Sharma, the same happened. Some scholars knew her statement was correct, yet they provoked emotional reactions.
Seek the Truth Yourself
Base your decisions on knowledge from religious texts. Do not blindly trust the emotional incitement of preachers. An educated society alone can resist false propaganda and harmful practices like child marriage.
Final Thought:
“Examine the truth, test it, and then believe. Blindly trusting religious leaders can be dangerous.”
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