The Meaning of Consummate: Difference between revisions

This article discusses the meaning of the word '''consummate''' as mentioned in [[sahih]] [[hadith]].

==Introduction==

==Consummating the Marriage==

Although there are numerous narrations regarding the age of Aisha when she was married, the one that is most often a point of contention is the following:

===Interpretations of "Consummate"===

Essentially what they are doing when they attack the meaning of 'consummate' is that they are addressing the English word but not the Arabic (dakhala). While 'consummate' can sometimes mean 'completion' (as in a business transaction), the Arabic word 'dakhala' carries no such meaning or connotation.

It used to be that a marriage could be annulled if the sexual act was not performed; ie. if the marriage was not 'consummated.' This has been the definition for centuries. From ancient times until quite recently, the linen from the wedding bed was displayed to the relatives of the couple after the wedding night in order to prove consummation. A bride was expected to be a virgin, and a blood-stained sheet left no doubt as to both the bride's honor and the finality of the marriage contract (through consummation); and there was now no question as to the legality of the marriage.

The Arabic text shows that the claims of Muslims as to their interpretation of the words 'zawaj' and 'nikah' are incorrect. Bukhari uses 'zawaj' and 'nikah' interchangeably as synonyms to mean marriage (as does {{Quran|33|37}}, {{Quran|44|54}} and {{Quran|52|20}}).  

The root of the verb "udkhilath" is "dakhala" - which means to "enter". This is the most common Arabic meaning, although there are other definitions - none of which can be used in this case, given the context of this hadith.  

{{quote||The full definition of دخل (dakhala) :

* imperfection, vice, flaw, shortcoming, blemish, aberration, defect, fault, abnormality}}

An English definition for dakhala, which is commonly found on the Internet is as follows:

{{quote |Hans-Wehr Arabic-English Dictionary p273| to enter, to pierce, to penetrate, to consummate the marriage, cohabit, sleep with a woman.}}

Just as in the English language, "consummate the marriage" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.  

It is clear that the only meaning of dakhala applicable to the context of the hadith is 'sexual intercourse.'

Here is the complete list of the [[Qur'an|Qur'anic]] verses containing the word "dakhala":  

In all ayats except {{Quran|16|92}} and {{Quran|16|94}} (as dakhal means 'deception'), the meaning is "to enter" or to "gain admittance" or "be granted admission" to some location such as a house, gate, fire, paradise, hell, someone's presence etc.  

In the Qur'an, dakhala is never used to mean 'participation'; like the English phrases "enter a transaction" or "enter a marriage" or a "completion" of any activity.  

{{quote |[http://www.quran4theworld.com/translations/Majid/4.htm Quran 4:23 - Daryabadi]|  

(Your wives' mothers, your stepdaughters under your guardianship, born of your wives unto whom you have gone in - but there is no sin on you if you have not gone in unto them,) As for the mother of the wife, she becomes prohibited for marriage for her son-in-law when the marriage is conducted, whether the son-in-law '''has sexual relations''' with her daughter or not. As for the wife's daughter, she becomes prohibited for her stepfather when he '''has sexual relations''' with her mother, after the marriage contract is ratified. If the man divorces the mother before '''having sexual relations''' with her, he is allowed to marry her daughter.  <ref>[http://tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=4&tid=10749 Tafsir 'Ibn Kathir - Quran 4:23 (excerpt)]</ref> }}

To further confound the Muslim apologist, the Bukhari ahadith use another phrase to convey the fact that Muhammad had sexual intercourse with Aisha:

Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he '''consummated his marriage''' when she was nine years old.

''An Hisham An Abeehi Qala thuwaffiyath Khadijathu qabla makhrajannabiyyi sallallahu Alaihi Vasallama ilal Madeenathi bi thalatha sineenaa falabitha sanathaini ou qareeban min dhalika va nakaha Ayesha vahiya binthu sithi sineena thumma '''bana biha''' vahiya binthu this”I sineen.''}}

''An Ayesha th AnnaNabiyya Sallallahu alaihi vasallama thazawwajaha vahiya binthu Sitha sineena, va '''bana biha''' vahiya binthu This”I sineen. Qala Hisham : Va unbiethu Annaha kanath Indahu This”I Sineen.''}}

If we say in Arabic: 'Muhammad bana bi Aisha', the meaning is: 'Muhammad had intercourse with Aisha.' This is the only possibly Arabic understanding of the phrase. Therefore, again, it is apparent that Dr. Mushin Khan has used the euphemism "consummated the marriage" to denote the sexual act.  

==See Also==

{{reflist}}