Question

Asalaamoalaikum Shaikh,
I have come across more and more evidence suggesting that Hazrat Aisha’s age at marriage was 16-19 or more. This is against the conventionally held view by most scholars that she was 6 at time of marriage, and 9 at time of consummation. A lot of non-muslims are attacking Islam saying that Islam allows sex with children, so it is an important issue that needs to be clarified. It is suggested that the only Hadith which says that the age was 6-9 was by Hisham ibn Urwah, and that this hadith is unreliable due to his failing memory in old age. Please shed some light on this matter.
Jazak Allah

Answer

This requires a detailed explanation. The Hadith itself is sound. Hisham is a reliable narrator yet he is not the only narrator, Al a’amash has also narrated it in another chain in Saheeh Muslim.

Plus, how long are you going to keep giving in to these debates. If this was something to object about, the mushrikeen of that time would not have let rasulullah sallallahu alyhi wasallam sit in peace. They would have slaughtered him for that. It’s the present culture which makes this look so abhorrent. Plus Aisha was not a child. She was fully grown up and a responsible person. She could cook food and take care of house by herself.

However, When debating with a non-Muslim you could use this argument to get them off your back.