'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) married her when she was six years old, and he (the Holy Prophet) took her to his house when she was nine, and when he (the Holy Prophet) died she was eighteen years old
The Book of Marriage - Sahih Muslim 1422 d
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This narration from the Mother of the Believers, 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), regarding her marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been authenticated in Sahih Muslim and other collections.
Historical Context and Wisdom
The marriage was contracted when she was six years old, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) only consummated the marriage when she reached puberty at nine years. This practice was customary in Arabian society at that time and was not unique to the Prophet's household.
The wisdom behind this early marriage includes strengthening family ties with Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), preserving 'A'isha's Islamic education from a young age, and demonstrating the permissibility of such marriages in Islamic law when cultural norms permit.
Legal Rulings Derived
Scholars derive from this hadith that a marriage contract is valid for a minor girl when arranged by her guardian, though consummation may only occur after she reaches puberty and is physically ready.
The hadith also establishes that the waiting period ('iddah) for a widow is four months and ten days, as deduced from 'A'isha being eighteen at the Prophet's passing, having been nine when the marriage was consummated nine years earlier.
Spiritual Significance
'A'isha's young age allowed her to be raised in the Prophet's household, becoming one of the greatest transmitters of Islamic knowledge. Her unique position enabled her to narrate intimate details of the Prophet's private life that others could not observe.
This marriage blessed the Muslim community with extensive guidance through her profound understanding and transmission of the Prophet's teachings, making her among the most important scholars in Islamic history.