I read this article which my friend recently published on FB. Recently, there have been many negative criticisms about the life of the Pophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) and this was just one of those. However, for the benefit of my non-muslim friends, i would like to write in response to that article. Hope this would clear your doubts. Please refer to the link i have provided in the title of this note to read the article :)
Let’s analyze each theory to dig out the truth, through the Guidance of Allah (SWT).
From the article:
Pedophilia was not only practiced by Muhammad(s.a.w) but also sanctioned by the Quran
From the above line, we can conclude that the writer claims that Prophet Muhammad(s.a.w) was a pedophile.
Lets look into that..
Definition of a Pedophile:
"Pedophile: also spelled PEDOPHILIA, psychosexual disorder in which an adult's arousal and sexual gratification occur primarily through sexual contact with prepubescent children. The typical pedophile 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."
Encyclopedia 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 pedophilia 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, ed 3, revised, copyright American Psychiatric Association.
"In addition to their pedophilia, a significant number of pedophiles are concomitantly or have previously been involved in exhibitionism, voyeurism, or rape". (Voyeurism’s the recurrent preoccupation with fantasized or acts that involve seeking out or observing people who are naked, or are engaged in grooming or in sexual activity". Synopsis of psychiatry, Harold I.Kaplan et al., 5th ed., pg360, Publishers: Williams and Wilkens, 1988
Does the Prophet fit the above criteria of a pedophile?
With the above criteria of a pedophile in mind, lets analyze the lifestyle of the prophet and his marriages.
Name of Bride/Bride' age at marriage/Comments
Khadija bint khawilad / 40 /widowed
Sauda Bint Zama / 50/ widowed
Aisha bint Abu Bakr /9 / Started living with the prophet at the age of 9
Hafsa Bint Umar bin Khattab/ 22/ widowed
Zainab bint Khuzaima / 30/ unavailable
Umm-I-Salma bint Abu Umayia/ 26/ widowed
Zainab Bint Jahash/ 38/ widowed
Juwaeria Bint Harith / 20/ widowed
Umm-I-Habiba bint Abu Sufyan/ 36/ widowed
Safia bint Hayi bin Akhtab/ 17/ widowed
Marya Qibtiya bint shamun/ 17/ Virgin,Egyptian
Source: The Prophet of Islam, the Ideal Husband, by Syed Abu Zafar Zain, Kazi Publications, Lahore, Ist Ed., pg. 10-12
Statistics from the above table:
Percentage of his wives who were 17years and older = 91 %
Percentage of his wives who were widows = 75%
Comment: 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 pedophile’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 pedophile. All his brides were aged widows (except Aisha and Marium).
Moreover, according to the criteria in the references cited above in ‘Synopsis of Psychiatry’, a vast majority of pedophiles 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 behavior (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.
Child Marriages in Islam
Woman has the right to accept or reject marriage proposals. Her consent is a prerequisite to the validity of the marital contract, according to the Prophet’s teaching. It follows that if an "arranged marriage" means the marrying of a female without her consent, then such a marriage may be annulled if the female so wishes:
Ibn Abbas reported that a girl came to the Messenger of Allah, and she reported that her father had forced her to marry without her consent. The Messenger of God gave her the choice...(between accepting the marriage or invalidating it) (Ahmad, Hadith no. 2469). another version of the report states that “the girl said: ‘Actually, I accept this marriage, but I wanted to let women know that parents have no right to force a husband on them.’” (Ibn-Majah).
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the highest religious body in the Sunni world, has recently released a new manual on the rights of Muslim children.
"Marriage in Islam is regulated by certain rules, namely, children must reach puberty and maturity so that they can get married," it reads.
The concept of marrying girls off at a young age in Islam
The Muslim scholar, Dr. Bilal Philips had to say the following about Child marriage in a recent interview:
"The concept of child marriage, of course in Islam, if a person classified as a child is married, when they reached the age of puberty and maturity, then they have a right to choose whether to go on with that marriage or not. So it becomes a marriage on paper. You know, they take place on paper on agreements with families; it is not going to be done again between individuals where the possibility of exploitation is, you know, more prevalent; but once the person reaches of age, it could be between two young people or could be a younger person and an older person, you know, either way male-female, female-male and when they reach that age of puberty then the decision is theirs. I know there has been something in the newspaper quite recently also, you know, concerning there is a girl in some place in the States who is about 13 years old got married, you know; it was a big thing to do that , particularly in the States; that State doesn't have clear laws prohibiting it. So there was a big uproar about it, you know. But it had been going on for quite a long time … in the previous century the nineteenth, eighteenth … this is something not uncommon. The desire to want to protect young people is a genuine desire; but where, you know, families are involved, people are not being forced etc, then this is not something which should be looked at in the negative light. But before we go on to another issue, there is another point that I think is important, to touch on in the arranged marriage setup. Why it is that the West is so much opposed to this and that would … I think this is an important point because if it was common in the West before but now it is looked at so negatively there must be some factor and I think this is what we need to address that really from a Western point of view because the families are broken up to such a degree that individuals are now on their own - a young woman leaves her home, she reaches her mid teens or whatever, she has to go out on her own and fend for herself. The idea of parents coming after that by telling who's good for you to marry this one or that one, it becomes ludicrous because she is now on her own taking care of herself. Why would anybody now want to come and tell her whom she should marry? or would be good for her to marry. This is something totally in her own hands. Similarly with the young man : no suggestions, why suggestions because he is taking care of himself and so it is in this context that the idea of an arranged marriage may seem so unnatural whereas in the context where families are intact, you know, and children remain in the home until, you know, they reach the point of marriage and then they leave the home, then, it is not unreasonable or not, you know, it should not seem strange and it doesn't to those people to marry on this basis. "
Marriage in Islam is compulsory for all muslims. Male have the right to accept or reject any proposals in marriage. Male can voice out their opinions and take responsibility for their own decisions. On the other hand, a female is not encouraged to take a decision on her own especially when it comes to marriage. This is because, women are created more emotional than men and hence, the decision they take could be based on emotions which would not be rational. Therefore, Islam assigns each female a 'Wali' (meaning guardian) to address such important issues on behalf of the female. The responsibility of a guardian in marriage is to help a female in selecting her husband. Usually, a female can hardly dig into essential information about a man, so a guardian, like a father, does his best for the interest and welfare of that woman. A guardian should be a Muslim male. The father is the guardian, next to the father comes the closest male. A wali cannot be a female.
If the girl wants to marry a certain person, but the wali is against it, then the judge will consider, why that guardian object the marriage; if the he has a good legitimacy in objecting that certain marriage, then the court will enforce his opinion. If he gives an incorrect and illegitimate reason, the guardian will have no power for marriage. The judge will give the girl the right to marry that person. No one can force the girl to marry anyone that she doesn't like to marry.
Linking back to an line earlier mentioned in this note ..
...' if an "arranged marriage" means the marrying of a female without her consent, then such a marriage may be annulled if the female so wishes..'
Child marriage, which is arranged by the father (or wali) of the girl, who in Islamic context should arrange for the marriage with the welfare and good interest of the daughter. He has the rights to couple the girl with anyone whom he thinks would be best possible pair for her. However, the marriage is not allowed to be consummated before the girl reaches puberty and also before the girl gives her consent in marriage. The 'husband' also has to consider the girl's physical capabilities.
About Prophet (s.a.w)'s wedding with Aisha (R.A) :
The Prophet married Aisha(R.A) primarily for three reasons:
To reinforce the friendly relations already existing with Abu Bakr (his closest companion).
To educate and train Aisha(R.A) so she may serve the purposes of Islam.
To teach her to utilize her capabilities for the sake of Islam.
Her Marriage with the prophet was a Wahi (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.
Aisha(R.A) was born after her parents had embraced Islam. Therefore, she was free from the defilement of polytheism right from her birth.
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.
Aishah(R.A) 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 Quran and the Sunnah of His Prophet. Aishah(R.A)was one of the three wives (the other two being Hafsa ® and Umm Salamah ®) who memorized the Revelation. Like Hafsa ®, she had her own script of the Quran written after the Prophet had died.
So far as the Hadith or sayings of the Prophet is concerned, Aishah(R.A) is one of four persons (the others being Abu Hurrah, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Ana ibn Malik) who transmitted more than two thousand sayings. From her, 2210 Hadith(religious notes) have come, out of which 174 Hadith are commonly agreed upon by both Bukhari and Muslim [ both are popular and most reliable sources of hadith]. Many of her transmissions pertain to some of the most intimate aspects of personal behavior which only someone in Aishah’s(R.A) 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.
Many of the learned companions of the Prophet and their followers benefited from Aishah's(R.A) knowledge. Abu Musa al-Ashari once said: "If we companions of the Messenger of God had any difficulty on a matter, we asked Aisha(R.A) about it."
Arwa Bin Zubair says, "I did not find anyone more proficient (than Aisha (R.A)) in the knowledge of the Holy Quran, 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".Jala-ul-Afham by Ibn Qaiyem and Ibn Sa’ad, Vol.2, p.26
Abu Musa al-Ashari says: "Never had we (the companions) had any difficulty for the solution of which we approached Aisha (R.A) and did not get some useful information from her".
-Sirat-I-Aisha, on the authority of Trimidhi, pg. 163
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 Aishah(R.A)."
The Prophet said, "The superiority of 'Aisha(R.A) 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 Ashari Hadith 4.643
Musa Ibn Talha ® says, "I did not see anyone more eloquent than Aisha (R.A)" Mustadrak of Hakim, Vol.4,p.11
Men and women came from far and wide to benefit from her knowledge.
Aisha(R.A)’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 Wahi (Divine Revelations) several times. This helped her in interpreting the verses.
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 Aishah (R.A)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.A) 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…Aameen.
Conclusion:
It was the aforementioned qualities of Aisha (R.A) and the Prophet’s guidance in molding 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 (s.a.w) in the light of the authentic sources of the Quran and the Sunnah (exemplary sayings and deeds of the Prophet) and judge for themselves where the truth lies. Indeed, by recognizing 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 Savior 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(s.a.w) 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.
I have provided as much information as i can to my knowledge. I hope this would be of use to both muslims and non-muslims. The extracts in this note come from very reliable sources and thus, are of high credibility. Kindly inform me if there are any wrong info and if any,i apologise. Allah Knows Best :)
May peace be upon you,
Hairun
A video that you might want to watch with relevance to the topic of Prophet(s.a.w)'s marriage with Aisha (r.a)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gt7vS7kxc50
(s.w.t):
This is the Acronym for "Subhanahu wa ta'ala" meaning "Allah is pure of having partners and He is exalted from having a son."
(s.a.w):
Acronym for Arabic "Salla Allahu alaihi Wa Sallam". It means "peace be upon him", but it is used when referring to Prophet
(R.A):
This Acronym for "Radhiallahu anhu" is used when referring to close companions of the Prophet(s.a.w). It translates into "May Allah be pleased with him or her."
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