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Name
humaira
-
Profession
Question
Is it true that prophet muhammad s.a.w married aishah when she was 19 not 6 years old?
Answer
In Islamic law there is a difference between a marital contract which may take place of minors and actual consummation of marriage. The latter cannot take place till the parties reach the age of majority and approve of their marriage.
Age difference is not a moral issue in itself. Even today in the western world there are marriages that take place between parties whose age disparity is quite considerable.
Then, we should look at the historical context:
1. How could any parent give his daughter and the apple of his eye to anyone if this involves "molestation"?!
2. Abu Bakr, Aisha's father, was a highly respected and rich merchant, not one who is looking for any favors at the expense of his beloved daughter.
3. Abu Bakr was not acting like some of today's politicians seeking succession to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and we know that it was not his choice to succeed the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), but it was made by the early Muslim committee after consultation and debate.
4. It is well-known also that Aisha was engaged to another person before being engaged to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This shows that there was nothing unusual or reprehensible of this type of marriage. Indeed if there was any impropriety, his many adversaries would have used it to defame and discredit him.
5. It is known that between the marriage contract and Aisha's moving to the Prophet's household, there was a 3-year gab during which she stayed with her parents.
6. It is also known that her moving to the Prophet's household took place in the first or second year after migration from Makkah to Madina. It is also known that the Makkan period lasted for 13 years, and the famous biographer Ibn Is-haq lists the name of Aisha among the very early persons who accepted Islam in the first few months of the Prophet's mission. If we were to add a minimum age of Aisha to understand what she was accepting, say 4 + the 13 years in Makkah + 1 or 2 years in Madina, it adds up probably to 19 years and not only 9, which is the number reported in Al-Bukhari.
7. While the above is more than enough, it is noted also that many historians have debated the age of Aisha when she married the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). One is that some say that Aisha died at the age of 50 after migration, at the age of 67, which means that she was born 17 years old before migration, and since her marriage was consummated one or two years after migration, it must have taken place at the age of 19.
8. It is also known that her sister Asmaa was 10 years her senior. It is interesting to note that Asmaa died in the year 73 after migration, at the age of 100, this means she was born 27 years before migration (100-73). Since she was 10 years older, then Aisha was born 17 years before migration, which is consistent with these other reports.
A recommended reference is a small book published by Ruqaya Warith Maqsood published by IPCI in Birmingham.
In conclusion, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was an extremely intelligent and knowledgeable person whose talents and knowledge was considerably increased through company of the Prophet (Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from early age and was proved to be an instrumental source of knowledge about Islam and the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), that is why she is known as one of Mother of Believers.
Name
Mostafa
- Iran
Profession
Student
Question
With regards and respect to Dr. Badawi, I have three questions:
First, what was the prophet's (saw) reaction in the times when he (saw) conveyed the message of Islam and people would reject and deny him.
Second, If the prophet (pbuh) was now with us, how would he, or order us to, react to present situation of disrespecting his character.
Third, what is our role as muslims in the situation of publication of cartoons.
Answer
As for the first question, he did not return evil with evil; he often smiled in the face of those who attacked him. Some cases he kept silence and ignored them. Whenever appropriate, he explained his message and responded objectively to his detractors. He also prayed for their guidance. All such responses were embodiment of the Qur'anic teachings.
Regarding the second question, I would have expected him to use any one or more of the previous responses to question one.
Concerning the third question, while we all feel hurt and offended we are obligated as Muslims not to resort to violence or stereotyping others because of the action of the few and to seek this opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the personality and character of the beloved prophet of Allah. Continuing escalation of violence is only playing in the hands of those who want to deliberately instigate Muslims to respond emotionally and in some instances inappropriately so as to reinforce negative perception of Islam and Muslims.
Name
musa
- Malaysia
Profession
Question
As-salamualaikum, Respected Brother, the despecible caricatures of Beloved Prophet was done by the ignorant. Are we partly responsible for not doing enough of Da'wah?
Our response when people direspect our Prophet s.a.w., is it not reflection of a question on the measure of how much we know, love, say Salawah for Him and is working to spread the good word and practice the tenets of Islam? Does the actions shown by the Muslim the world over will be an advantage to Islam in future? Kindly give us examples.
Answer
I agree that as Muslims we have not done enough to articulate the message of Islam and introduce its Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to the rest of humanity in a way that suits times in which we are living. Your suggestion resonates with my answer to previous questions.
A good example of positive response is what some organizations are doing by distributing brochures and DVDs about the life of the Prophet and his character (such as "Legacy of the Prophet") and also by organizing lectures and seminars about this current issue.
Name
Jon
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
Hello, Sir. I do not mean to be disrespectful, but I tend to wonder about the reality of a man who stirs up so much controversy. Doesn't the mere fact that your prophet mohammed is so controversial mean that he is not as Muslims like to portray him?
Answer
Not at all. It's unfair to say, for example, that Jesus, peace be upon him, stirred so much controversy and violence because some who claim to follow him engaged him in the crusades inquisition and other genocides such as in Bosnia and Kosovo. No fair person can claim this as the reaction of claimed followers may be totally different if not the opposite of the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Excessive and violent reaction is the fault of the masses not the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or his teachings.
Please refer to the answer to second question to see how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) reacted with restrained kindness and prayers to those who rejected him.
Name
Tarek
-
Profession
Question
As-salamo Alaikom Dr. Jamal
In one of the forums, a non-Muslim asked why when the Prophet returned to Makkah in victory did he sentence some non-Muslims to death?
Could you please shed some light on how many they were, and why?
Jazakum Allah Khairan
Answer
When Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) entered Makkah victoriously and unopposed, he could have taken revenge against the masses of Makkans who opposed him, harassed him and assaulted and tortured his followers. However, he did none of that, but he simply repeated what the Qur'an said about the forgiveness granted by Prophet Joseph to his brothers: "This day there is no blame on you, may God forgive you." Also, "You go; you are all free."
However, there was a minor exception to this general amnesty for nearly a dozen persons who may be classified in today's terminology as criminals. Some committed cold-bloodied murder of innocents. But even among those Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) forgave some of them when others interceded on their behalf. Indeed he was the Prophet of mercy, not vengeance.
Name
raj
- Philippines
Profession
Data Analyst
Question
As-salam Alaykum!
Is Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) the last prophet AND the last messenger? Or is he, as according to the Qur'an, the last prophet BUT there is no attribution whatsoever that he is the last messenger?
Answer
Every rasool (messenger) is a nabi (Prophet) but not every nabi is a rasool. A messenger occupies a higher position than a prophet because not only did he receive the message from God but he was also commanded to spread it widely among his people.
The Qur'an clearly states that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the final and the seal of all prophets (33: 40) as the Qur'an must be understood in the light of sound hadiths, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "there is no prophet (to come) after me."
There is not the least doubt about what the Qur'an and hadith say about the finality of Prophethood of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is notable that for 14 centuries after the Qur'an there is hardly any person who claimed to be Prophet of God whose influence on human religious history can come even close to the impact of great prophets such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon all of them. Not even an impact comparable to what is known to some as "minor" prophets.
Since every messenger by definition a prophet then being the last prophet implies that he is also the last messenger. It is even stronger than saying that he is the last prophet as a person might be the last prophet but not the last messenger.
Name
Rupert
-
Profession
Question
I see it says "IslamOnline.net has decided earlier in February to launch a multi-lingual Web site to acquaint non-Muslims with the life history of the prophet" everywere on your site. but where is this site?
Answer
It is under process and we are looking for efficient qualified writers in many languages.
Name
Kabir
- Nigeria
Profession
Question
Dr. thank for your contributions, may Allah reward you. They know who Muhammad (S.A.W.) was only that they are envious and hide that which is contained in their Books to decieve their followers. How do you think we can use their Books to show the true pictures as contained in their Books about the Messenger?
Answer
The Qur'an clearly states that the learned clergy of the People of the Book knew about the coming of a prophet from the descendants of Abraham through Ishamel (7: 157, 61: 6). Furthermore, the Bible (Gen.: 12: 2-3) also in Gen. Chapter 21 clearly indicates that God will bless the nation of the earth through both Isaac and Ishmael.
The symbol of the covenant between God and His people was male circumcision, and according to the Bible, Ishmael and the males of his household were circumcised even before Isaac was born.
I am not sure, however, whether all our Jewish and Christians brethren are aware of that. Our duty, however, is to give the information as kindly and truthfully as we can without questioning people's intention and to present it as an imperative of the continuity of the message of Allah through all prophets who carried the same core message to humankind.
In IslamOnline.net, under Islamic Teachings, there are a number of audio programs that deal with this subject under two titles: Muhammad in the Bible, and at the beginning of Muhammad, the last Messenger of Allah.
Name
suhana
- India
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaikum,
How old was Aisha(RA)when she got married to Propht(PBUH).Did Prophet(PBUH) have good relationship with all his wives?
Thank you.
May Allah bless you.
Answer
Please refer to the question of Humaira in this session.
The relationship between the Prophet and his wife was exemplary in terms of justice, kindness and respect.
Name
JR Austin
- United States
Profession
Question
A lot of sites on the internet claim that the Prophet married Aisha at 6 years old and use various hadith to back up their claim. Surely these hadith are fabricated or incorrect because i have seen other sites that use hadith to back up the truth which is that Aisha was between 14-21 when she married the prophet and not 6. Who should i believe? I find it uncomfortable to think that the Prophet would have married anyone who was a child.
Answer
Please refer to the question of Humaira in this session.
Name
muslimah
-
Profession
Question
Asalam-u alikum,
Respected scholar,
Is the hadith about a woman having less faith [iman]as she can't pray continuously as men do due to mensturation etc true? [i can't remember the exact wordings but the context of it]
I cannot believe that our prophet would have meant such a thing. please clarify.
Thank you
Answer
The hadith is in the context of encouraging women to do more acts of charity. Neither the Qur'an nor other ahadtih blame women for being females having no control on their biological function.
For example, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated to 'Aishah "your menses is not in your hands".
One major problem in understanding hadith is to take them literally in a manner that contradicts the Qur'an and other ahadith. Also to mix up between ahadith that are meant to be a legal verdict and those intended simply to encourage people, men and women, to do acts of good deeds, i.e. the language of exhortations.
Name
r
-
Profession
Question
asalamu-alaikum,
I have a great desire to see our prophet[peace be upon him] in a dream. I have sinned greatly in the past but am now trying to be as good muslim as i can. Are there any supplications which can help me achieve my hearts desire?
Wasalaam
Answer
My sincere prayers that Allah will fulfill your desire if not in this life then in Paradise insha'Allah.
Name
Tarek Noman
- Canada
Profession
student
Question
Did mohammad sm ban the system of slave? if yes why quran we should marry a slave women, which is closer to justice. does not it means that islam does not give to equal rights but differentiate slave and free women?
Answer
Islam never introduced slavery. It arose when slavery was practiced widely people of different backgrounds and religious convictions. In fact, in the Bible there are numerous instances of the practice of slavery and concubinage even by prophets such as Solomon.
Islam dealt with this problem in a wise and gradual manner so as to avoid backfiring such as what happened in the US when slavery was abolished overnight contributing to the civil war. The major steps taken by Islam were:
1. to dry up any new source of slavery as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said :"if one takes a free person and sells him or her in slavery, one will never have the smell of Paradise." The only exception to that pertained to the captives of war, a matter which is now classical and irrelevant since international treaties provides for exchange of war prisoners. Even at the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) there were instances when he was magnanimous and set free the captives of war and gave the signal an example of others to do the same (for example, freeing Safiyyah, which resulted in freeing all her people by the rest of the Muslims following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)
2. to provide for a gradual and smooth ending of the institution of slavery and that included the following measures:
a. to liberate the slaves spiritually and humanly by making it clear that only God is the true master and all humans are His servants and "slave" (in the positive sense).
b. to encourage Muslims to free slaves for the sake of Allah (see 90: 11-13)
c. to allow any person in slavery to regain their freedom to have a contract with "his master" to compensate him financially "for what he might have paid to acquire him before Islam". Once the contract is agreed to, the slaves will automatically be a legitimate receipt of zakat, that the whole community will be participating will be helping him or her regain his or her freedom (see 9: 60)
d. to protect the humanity and legal rights of slaves as a person not as a thing, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught that anyone who killed a salve would be killed, and anyone who castrated a slave would be castrated…"
e. to teach that slaves must be treated like your own children, brothers and sisters as Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "let not anyone of you say, 'my slave boy or my slave girl' but let him say, 'my boy or my girl'. He also taught that "these (slaves) are your brothers and if Allah willed He would have made you under them." In that sense, the negative notion of slavery was replaced gradually with what may be considered as a "live-in servant" rather than a slave.
If these measures were followed faithfully by Muslims slavery would have been completely abolished within one or two generations. The fact that some people including some misguided Muslims engaged or continued to engage in the practice of slavery is their own fault. Likewise those who argue that since there was no final verse in the Qur'an explicitly abolishing slavery then it must be lawful. This understanding overlooks two crucial points: 1) one is a legalistic interpretation that overlooks the Qur'anic context as explained in the obvious strategy outlined above is a questionable and non-contextual interpretation. It is also an interpretation that does not take into account the maqasid (objectives) of Shari'ah; 2) the second point is that in case of intoxicants there was ample time during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to reach the total prohibition. The reason being that intoxication is a bad personal habit that can be treated within a relatively short time as it is called today "detoxification". Slavery, however, was a much more complex institution that continued for many centuries all over the world and was sanctioned even by previous scriptures such as the Bible. It was a deeply rooted economic and social institution. Given this complexity, a smooth abolishment required longer period of time so as to avoid setbacks. The remaining year of the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in Madina where the bulk of legal rulings were revealed, was too short for such a smooth transition. The Qur'an and Hadith set in motion a process that was intended to bring about eventual total abolishment.
Finally, let us remember the beautiful word attributed to 'Umar, the second Caliph after Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), "how could you enslave people while they were born free by their mothers."
Name
Mark
- United States
Profession
Student
Question
I have read that Muhammad was just a man. He claimed no divinity. I would like to know why Muhammad could have more than 4 wives if he was equal as a man? I have also heard that Muhammad can make intersession for believers in paradise, is this true? I have read in the Qur'an everyone will be judged and there is no intercession for ones actions. Please clarify and thanks so much about teaching us about Muhammad.
Answer
When the verse was revealed in the Qur'an limiting the number of wives to the maximum of four, Muslims were required to divorce wives in excess of four. An exception was made in the case of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) for the following reasons.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)'s marriage were intended for reconciliation between different tribes and religions and in one case for legislative reasons. The Qur'an, however, did not require him to divorce his wife in excess of four because that would have reversed the purposes of his multiple marriages especially unifying tribes and religions and even reconciling the hearts of enemies by marrying from among their tribes.
In return, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was not allowed to replace any of his wives (such as divorcing one and marrying another). Furthermore, since his wives were held high as Mothers of Believers and a valuable source of information about his life, character and teachings, there were not allowed to marry any person if divorced or widowed. Therefore, it would have been very unfair to them "those in excess of the maximum of four wives" to be divorced without the opportunity of remarriage as was the case with all other ordinary Muslims.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank Dr. Jamal Badawi for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. If you feel your question is very important, feel free to contact us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net and we will try our best to answer your question. We request our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
Name
suhana
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaykum,
I'm going through depression since a long time with regard to vows. I fear about my future,that is becoming handicapped. It started because I saw an handicapped person struggling in his life a lot. I try a lot to control myself from keeping these vows, but I don't have control over my mind. I felt Allah won't answer my prayer if I don't keep vows. My questions are:
1. Will Allah punish me by making me handicapped for saying I w'ont fulfill any of the vows? I said it only for my self satisfaction that any of my vow isn't accepted by Allah.
2. What did Prophet(peace be upon him)say about vows?
May Allah bless you and grant you a place in the Heavens for your great service.
Answer
Salam,
Thank you for your question,
You need not be excessive in fear. Allah Almighty is Merciful and Of-Forgiving. You should not make vows that you know you can't fulfill. If you could not fulfill a vow due to circumstances beyond your control, it is forgiven, insha'Allah. Our obedience to Allah should be based more on love and trust than mere fear. Think positive and do your best.
