The Book of Marriage - Sunan an-Nasa'i

Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 3258

Narration Text

It was narrated from 'Aishah that the Messenger of Allah married her when she was nine and he died when she was eighteen years old.

Scholarly Commentary

This narration establishes the permissibility of marriage at the age of physical maturity, as 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) had reached puberty. The Prophet's marriage to her was conducted with full consent of her guardian, her father Abu Bakr, in accordance with Islamic law.

The nine-year age mentioned refers to the lunar calendar, which would correspond to approximately eight years and eight months in the solar calendar. This marriage served multiple divine wisdoms: preserving 'Aishah's noble lineage, enabling her to transmit vast Islamic knowledge, and establishing her as a mother of the believers.

Classical scholars unanimously agree that this marriage was divinely ordained and reflects the perfection of Islamic legislation that considers individual circumstances and societal norms while maintaining moral boundaries.