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Aisha and Puberty: Difference between revisions
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==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
Most Muslims are unaware that the [[Sahih]] [[hadith|ahadith]] say that [[Aisha]], the wife of [[Muhammad]], was below the age of puberty when she was at least fourteen years old, and remained in that state till the age of sixteen | Most Muslims are unaware that the [[Sahih]] [[hadith|ahadith]] say that [[Aisha]], the wife of [[Muhammad]], was below the age of puberty when she was at least fourteen years old, and remained in that state till the age of sixteen. The collectors of Hadith, however, were generally not ashamed of the truth. Even being some of the most devout Muslims to have ever lived, they had still preserved [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Muhammad|many authentic narrations]] which reflect very dubiously on the character of Muhammad. Some modern Muslims and apologists in the West, on the other hand, are ashamed that their prophet would marry and have sex with a pre-pubescent young girl, so they may claim that there is no evidence that Aisha was below the age of puberty. On the contrary, they may insist that she was already past the age of puberty, though without evidence to back their claim. | ||
We do not need to accept on blind faith the unsubstantiated claims of these Muslims since we have the original sahih ahadith. What do these say about Aisha’s pubertal status? The evidence is clear from the collection of Imam Bukhari. Hence, we will base our proposition on the famous “[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Translation-Meanings-Summarized-Sahih-Al-Bukhari/dp/1567445195 Translation of the Meanings of Sahih Al-Bukhari Arabic-English]” by ''Dr Muhammad Muhsin Khan'', published by the Islamic University - Al-Medina Al-Munauwara, Saudi Arabia. | We do not need to accept on blind faith the unsubstantiated claims of these Muslims since we have the original sahih ahadith. What do these say about Aisha’s pubertal status? The evidence is clear from the collection of Imam Bukhari. Hence, we will base our proposition on the famous “[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Translation-Meanings-Summarized-Sahih-Al-Bukhari/dp/1567445195 Translation of the Meanings of Sahih Al-Bukhari Arabic-English]” by ''Dr Muhammad Muhsin Khan'', published by the Islamic University - Al-Medina Al-Munauwara, Saudi Arabia. | ||
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===Scientific=== | ===Scientific=== | ||
Before we address the scriptural evidence, a few biological truths are worth noting. Apologetic claims which appeal to science can be | Before we address the scriptural evidence, a few biological truths are worth noting. Apologetic claims which appeal to science can be summarized by the following argument. | ||
{{Quote|[http://web.archive.org/web/20071031090648/http://www.alinaam.org.za/social/myaaisha.htm The Young Marriage of `Âishah(R)]<BR>Madrassah In'aamiyya|Women reach puberty at different ages ranging from 8-12 years old depending on genetics, race and environment. We read that | {{Quote|[http://web.archive.org/web/20071031090648/http://www.alinaam.org.za/social/myaaisha.htm The Young Marriage of `Âishah(R)]<BR>Madrassah In'aamiyya|Women reach puberty at different ages ranging from 8-12 years old depending on genetics, race and environment. We read that | ||
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‘Aisha said, “We set out with the sole intention of performing Hajj and when we reached Sarif, (a place six miles from Mecca) I got my menses. Allah’s Apostle came to me while I was weeping. He said ‘What is the matter with you? Have you got your menses?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is a thing which Allah has ordained for the daughters of Adam. So do what all the pilgrims do with the exception of the Taw-af (Circumambulation) round the Ka’ba.” ‘Aisha added, “Allah’s Apostle sacrificed cows on behalf of his wives.”}} | ‘Aisha said, “We set out with the sole intention of performing Hajj and when we reached Sarif, (a place six miles from Mecca) I got my menses. Allah’s Apostle came to me while I was weeping. He said ‘What is the matter with you? Have you got your menses?’ I replied, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is a thing which Allah has ordained for the daughters of Adam. So do what all the pilgrims do with the exception of the Taw-af (Circumambulation) round the Ka’ba.” ‘Aisha added, “Allah’s Apostle sacrificed cows on behalf of his wives.”}} | ||
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In summary, Dr Muhsin Khan in the official text published in the Islamic University; Al-Medina Al-Munauwara, Saudi Arabia, says in two related ahadith that Aisha had not reached puberty when she was 15 years old, and in another two it is shown she first menstrated at the age of sixteen. The text is published by Dar Al-Fikar, with a signed prologue of many scholars, and is attested by Muhammad Amin Al-Ansari PhD, Adviser and Head of Sharia Department, in the same University. | In summary, Dr Muhsin Khan in the official text published in the Islamic University; Al-Medina Al-Munauwara, Saudi Arabia, says in two related ahadith that Aisha had not reached puberty when she was 15 years old, and in another two it is shown she first menstrated at the age of sixteen. The text is published by Dar Al-Fikar, with a signed prologue of many scholars, and is attested by Muhammad Amin Al-Ansari PhD, Adviser and Head of Sharia Department, in the same University. | ||
Hence, from the original Arabic, it is clear that Aisha was below the age of puberty at the age of 14 (at the time of the raid on the Bani Mustaliq) or 15 (at the time of the Ethiopian slaves dancing incident), and begun her first menstrual period at the age of 16 (during the journey for hajj). We know that Muhammad ‘udkhilath’ (sexually penetrated) her when she was nine years old, and that the average age at menarche was between 12 to 13 years of age. Thus, putting all the evidence together, it is | Hence, from the original Arabic, it is clear that Aisha was below the age of puberty at the age of 14 (at the time of the raid on the Bani Mustaliq) or 15 (at the time of the Ethiopian slaves dancing incident), and begun her first menstrual period at the age of 16 (during the journey for hajj). We know that Muhammad ‘udkhilath’ (sexually penetrated) her when she was nine years old, and that the average age at menarche was between 12 to 13 years of age. Thus, putting all the evidence together, it is rather clear that Muhammad had sex with a child below the age of puberty. | ||
{{Core Pedophilia}} | {{Core Pedophilia}} | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
*[http://www.mum.org/menarage.htm Average age at menarche in various cultures] - ''Medieval Middle East, 12-13 Years'' | *[http://www.mum.org/menarage.htm Average age at menarche in various cultures] - ''Medieval Middle East, 12-13 Years'' | ||