About the Prophet’s Marriage with Aishah – Part 1

About the Prophet’s Marriage with Aishah – Part 1

Most of the western orientalist scholars who have published extensive literature on Islam have not always been inspired by the purest spirit of scholarly impartiality. They have worked with the clear intention of belittling Islam and its adherents and were encouraged by the bigot missionaries and imperialistic colonial powers. Western writings on Islam are biased either due to willful distortion or sheer ignorance. They often refer to quotations from books by the secularists who have heretical ideas or the writings of the deviant sects that hate the Prophet’s Companions and revile them or even by some ignorant Muslims who lack Islamic knowledge.

The foundations of Orientalism are in the maxim “Know thy enemy”. When the “Christian Nations” of Europe began their long campaign to colonize and conquer the Muslim World they brought the Orientalists and missionaries in order to assist in the task. They were the servants of the church or the imperialist governments used as a way to subdue or weaken the enemy.

For instance, the notable orientalist William Muir, was an active missionary who authored several books on Islam. His biased books continue to be used as references for those wishing to attack Islam. From the fanatical distortions of John of Damascus to Peter the Venerable and Sale whose “translations of the Qur’an included additional chapters, they were attempts to degrade the religion of Islam and its followers!

In fact the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him – PBUH) and his great companions set the good example for all mankind in their characters and personalities. Therefore, the orientalists never ceased to slander them by inventing stories, or relating fabricated or unauthentic narrations. In this context, the opponents of Islam has selectively placed a magnifying glass on some acts done by these prominent Islamic figures so as to distort their images and assassinate their characters.

Islam has the most humane and just system of marriage and divorce that exists. A woman is highly respected and allowed to reject any marriage proposal made to her. The western influenced media portrays the Islamic system of marriage to be oppressive. They never ceased to criticize the Messenger of Allah for polygamy generally and in particular for marrying an underage wife, namely Aisha the daughter of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with her and her father) so as to show the Prophet as a man of lust!

Aisha was brought up by a family which was greatly respected. Her father was a man of wide knowledge and gentle manners. She was very clever and had strength of personality since she was quite young. Therefore, she was neither tricked nor forced to marry the Prophet.

Some narrations say that Aisha was nine when the Prophet consummated the marriage with her. That was when she reached the age of puberty. For that reason she used to say: “when a girl reaches nine years she becomes a women ” [ Ahmed and Al-Termidhi]. Imam Al-Shafi said: “I saw a grandmother who was only twenty one years old. ” This means that she and her daughter as well became pregnant before the age of ten years!

Some other narrations says that Aisha became the Prophet’s third wife in Makkah when she was most likely in the tenth year of her life but her wedding did not take place until the second year after the Hijrah when she was about fourteen or fifteen years old. However, the Prophet did not take her to his house as bride until she reached the age of puberty.

The life of Aisha is proof that the wife in Islam is not only a feminine source of pleasure to her husband, but can also be a scholar and can infuse both men and women with inspiration. The utterances of this illiterate lady are studied in faculties of literature, her legal pronouncements are researched in colleges of law for centuries. Through the great retentive power of her memory she preserved so many of the priceless sayings of the Prophet while she was still quite young.

The Prophet referring to her extensive knowledge of Islam is reported to have said: “Learn a portion of your religion from this red-colored lady.” “Humayra” meaning “Red-coloured” was an epithet given to Aisha by the Prophet. Her house thus became a school and an academy for men and women who came from far and wide to benefit from her knowledge. Besides answering enquiries, she took boys and girls, some of them orphans, into her custody and trained them under her care and guidance. If she was abused or unhappy in her marriage with the Prophet she would suffer the trauma and never become a leader in every field in knowledge, in society, and also in politics.

Aisha, the self-confident wife of the Prophet was quoted as saying: ”I was not, jealous of any other wife of the Prophet as I was jealous of Khadijah, because of his constant mentioning of her. Whenever he sacrificed a sheep he would send a fair portion of it to those who had been her intimate friends. Many a time I said to him: “It is as if there had never been any other woman in the world except Khadijah.” If the Prophet was a man of lust, why his young and beautiful wife was jealous of his late wife Khadijah, who was old and already dead?
  
What is recorded in the authentic biographies of the Prophet is that he married Khadijah when he was 25 years old and she was 40. He remained with her, not marrying any other, until the noble lady was over 65. She died when he was just over 50 years of age. No one of his staunchest opponents dared to accuse him of any immorality or indecency, and in this period of his life, the most active and crowded of any man’s, the star of chastity and nobility shone on his forehead wherever he went.
   
If he had wanted to marry another woman there was no law nor reason nor custom to stop him. Polygamy was a tradition among the Arabs, known as part of the religion of the father of Prophets, Ibrahim (Abraham – PBUH). Nevertheless, he contented himself with one in whom he could find comfort, even though she was in her old age while he was at the peak of manhood. What place does pleasure have in the life of a man who rejected it in his youth? How could he immerse himself in lust as an old man?
  
When Khadijah died and the Prophet wanted to remarry, the beauty was not the criterion by which he selected his wife. His main consideration was to strengthen his ties with those men who had dedicated their lives to the message of Islam and da’wah. He chose Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, in spite of her tender age, and he chose Hafsah, the daughter of ‘Umar, in spite of her lack of beauty. Then he chose Umm Salamah, the widow of his commander who was martyred in the way of Allah. His wife Sawdah, was a woman who had given up the idea of marriage because of her old age. Life with these four was not expected to be full of fun and joy.

Surely the conditions surrounding the other wives made living with them a part of the burden that the Prophet had to bear. Is there any place for pleasure in the life of a man who never rested a single day form the toil of exhausting jihad? Surely as a great leader and in his capacity as head of state he was so fully occupied with the problems of the community and every individual in it, that he hardly enjoyed an hour’s rest. He was always busy in his endless struggle to establish good and eradicate evil. 

However, the Prophet’s life was not based on abundant food, drink, pleasures and luxurious living. It was a simple life of a man whose entire concern was for da’wah and the truth alone, a man who exerted himself to the utmost to gather the people around Islam. This was a man who was chosen and purified by Providence. His aspirations were towards lofty ideals and to what will be one’s fate when one returns to Allah.

His life with his wives was an austere path that no one could bear. Bukhari transmitted on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (RA): “I do not know the Prophet to have seen flat loaf of bread before he passed away.”
Aisha reported: “We used to look at the new moon (crescent) three times (i.e. two months’ duration) and no fire for cooking food was lit in the Prophet’s homes!” Urwah ibn al Zubayr asked Aisha (his aunt): “What did he (the Prophet) give you to eat?” She replied: “The two black things: dates and water.” Aisha also reported: “Allah’s Messenger died, and in my cupboard there was only a piece of barley-bread in one of my shelves!”

(To be concluded)

Our Sister’s Keeper

“Do you have to wear that thing on your head?”This was the final question during my job interview for a research position at a Canadian university. Apparently, my PhD in chemical physics from Harvard, research publications and postdoctoral research at MIT weren’t enough to convince my interviewer that I qualified for the job. It came down to “that thing” on my head, the hijab — the Islamic headscarf that forms part of my faith.

While at Harvard, I had undergone personal changes that reflected spiritual evolution, including a renewed commitment to Islam. For me, prayer, modesty and gratefulness filled a void. Wearing the hijab as stipulated in the Qur’an is an act of worship — not unlike the headcovering worn by an Orthodox Jew or observant Sikh.

Trying to control my anger, I replied that the way I chose to dress was irrelevant to my ability to do scientific research. If the interviewer felt I could do the job based on my track record, then he should hire me.

If not, then we should stop wasting each other’s time. I also knew that, if I were turned down, my next step would be to go to the provincial Human Rights Commission.

Then the interviewer confided that he had no problem but feared that others would. How ironic, I thought: Scientists claim to be rational but think so illogically about an individual’s potential. (I got the job, and my employer and I developed a good working relationship.)

But many Muslim women, who choose to abide by the hijab,aren’t so lucky in

Canada’s most multicultural city. According to a government-funded study, “No Hijab Is Permitted Here,” visible Muslim women faced clear discrimination when applying for jobs at fast-food outlets, retail stores and factories in
Toronto.Some were even told to remove their hijab as a prerequisite. The study’s authors made 23 recommendations, including educating Muslim women on their rights, and advising employers that wearing the hijab has no impact on a woman’s ability to carry out her job.

Some have minimized this study by saying the sample size was too small. Yet, imagine tossing a coin 16 times and coming up with 10 heads, two tails and four indeterminate outcomes. One would reasonably conclude that the coin was tailored toward “heads.”

In the study, a pair of equally qualified women — one with hijab,one without — inquired at 16 job sites. The result: at 10 sites, the woman without hijab was asked to fill out applications immediately, while only two sites asked the woman with hijab to do the same. Would tossing the coin more times give very different results?

For all their self-righteous efforts to “save” Muslim women in other countries from oppressive cultural practices — such as the denial of education and employment, female genital mutilation, and honour killing — Canadian women’s groups and prominent feminists have been conspicuously silent on the denial of job opportunities to Muslim women right here at home.

Our sisters are not asked to agree with the hijab — only to stand by the principle that no woman should be denied the right to choose her religious practices or to work at a job for which she’s qualified because of her appearance.

Some excuse the prejudice of employers, citing the Western perception of hijab as a symbol of oppression. Yet, isn’t it oppressive to tell a Muslim woman in

Canada that she cannot work because of her choice of dress?In 1994,

Quebec schools expelled female Muslim students for wearing the hijab. The rest of Canada seemed to feel that such overt racism only existed in
Quebec. Suffice it to say that racism, a human weakness, exists across
Canada.Our multicultural paradigm has actively promoted inclusiveness, and provided means of redress to those denied opportunities to rightfully participate. These are values that Canadians hold dear. But the events of 9/11 have increased mistrust of Muslims; our mosaic strains under the weight of fear.

Education and legislation are key to the fight against racism. Leaders in government, community relations, academia and business must denounce it. Employers must know they are breaking the law when they discriminate, and Muslim women must know they have recourse to justice.

Finally: Please don’t feel sorry for us. Given the post-9/11 climate, a Muslim woman who chooses to wear her hijab and participate fully in society has courage. Despite prevalent negative attitudes, she is secure in the knowledge that God strengthens those who seek divine help. And isn’t a confident woman an excellent asset for our society?

Is the Pilgrimage a Pagan Rite?

Some non-Muslims think or are made to believe that the pilgrimage to Ka’bah is purely a pagan rite or one form of idol-worship, that it was being practiced by the Arab idolaters before Islam and that Islam borrowed it from them.

This assumption is further aided by the fact that the Ka’bah itself had been a temple housing no less than three hundred and sixty idols. Nevertheless, this is a pure conjecture belying facts and figures. For it was not the idolaters of Makkah, but Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham – ‘alaihi assalam), who had initiated and established the holy pilgrimage thereof ages ago.

On the contrary, it was these very idolaters, the degenerate descendants of Abraham and Ishmael (‘alaihima assalam) who had defiled Allah’s Holy Ka’bah into a huge pantheon. It was these rank idolaters who had injected pagan rites into the purely Islamic pilgrimage laid down by Prophet Abraham (AS), one of the greatest worshippers of Allah.

All honor is due to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), the seal of the prophets and the last of Ibrahim’s Line of Prophethood, who first swept clean the Holy Ka’bah from its heathen idols. It was he again who restored the original pilgrimage to its pristine purity.

The Muslims are, in fact, the true followers of the Religion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), where pilgrimage to Makkah is a notable heritage as well as an important fixture of the religion. How different could these facts be from the Non-Muslims’ random conjecture?

Building the House and Proclaiming the Hajj:

This is how Allah declared to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) regarding his Sacred House after showing him the site thereof: ” And Remember when We showed Ibrahim (Abraham) the site of the Holy House (the Ka’bah) at Makkah saying: Associate not anything in worship with Me, [La Ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah - Islamic Monotheism], and sanctify My House for those who circumambulate it, and those who stand up for prayer, and those who bow and submit themselves with humility and obedience to Allah), and make prostration in prayer.” [Qur'an 22:26]

Ibrahim (AS) is being himself ordained in this verse to keep perfectly away from idolatry. He is being told, as well, to sanctify the House of God from all kinds of impurities, especially from that of idol-worship. Then follows the two-fold purpose for which that House was being built: First, is its being the center of Tawaf for those who compass it round, and second is its being the prayer-place for those who pray therein their daily prayers.

This is as much as to say that the Tawaf and the pilgrimage do depend upon the house of God, as much as do the prayers. For this reason all those who pray the entire world over do turn in the one direction of the Ka’bah at Makkah.

After being ordained to build and sanctify God’s Ka’bah, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) receives in the next verse the command to proclaim the pilgrimage to the Ka’bah, in this manner: “And proclaim to mankind the Hajj. They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant wide mountain highway to perform Hajj.” [Qur'an 22:27]

That definitely proves that it was Ibrahim (AS) who built the Ka’bah, and that it was also he who proclaimed the pilgrimage, facts that should equally refute the oft-repeated allegation put forth that pilgrimage was some pagan rite invented by the heathen idolaters, and retained by Islam.

Highlight of Pilgrimage:

Initiated by Ibrahim (AS) and reflected by the Seal of the Prophets, pilgrimage to the House of God is a unique experience to every true Muslim. For a “Muslim” is essentially the one who shifts from the false to the true religion – from disbelief to belief in God and from multi-god to One-God worship.

This trait made Ibrahim (AS) a “Perfect” Muslim when he entered the Pantheon at Babylon, and smashed the idols therein to pieces. Allah entrusted him with building His House at Makkah, and tasked him to proclaim the pilgrimage to it.

Henceforth, pilgrimage to the House of God becomes the most predominant trait of being a Muslim. A haven of absolute freedom, and a sanctuary of perfect peace and security, this Holy Mosque is the only spot on earth set up by Allah for one and all the people alike, without any distinction. It is the House of God wherein all men are equal, none being entitled to own it exclusively.

This is told in these words of Allah: “…And from Al-Masjid-al-Haram at Makkah which We have made open to all men, the dweller in it and the visitor from the country…. “[Qur'an 22:25]

The message of this Surah 22, verses 26-27 named “The pilgrimage” itself, is describing the construction of the Ka’bah and its sanctification, its being the focal point of Tawaf as well as the center of prayers. Thus, the incumbency of pilgrimage to this “first house of One-God worship”, etc.

Verses 28-37, do contain the basic elements of the monotheistic religion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), wherein one of the main objectives emphasized is the need to celebrate the Name of Allah Alone over the animal – whether ordinarily slaughtered, or offered as sacrifices to Allah, as against those offered to the idolaters’ idols, as evidenced particularly by verses 28, 30, 34, 36 and 37.

“Avoiding the abomination of idols”, and “neglecting the word that is false” (telling and witnessing falsehood), these two cardinal sins, have been specially prohibited in Verse 30. But the crowning message of unparalleled importance is the commandment: “Hunafa’ Lillah (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him…”, which is the soul and the heart of Monotheism (One-God worship), and the annihilator of all polytheism (multi-god worship).

This last, but not the least message, is the essence of pilgrimage, as also the topmost concern and happiness of every Muslim. The Makkan idolaters too, used to perform the pilgrimage, calling themselves thereby as “Haneefs” (followers of Abraham). And therefore, Muslims are being told to perform the pilgrimage, and call themselves as “Haneefs” but with this difference: “Being true in faith to Allah, and never assigning partners to Him”. Thus the sublime truths, the essence of the creed: “There is no deity save God”, seem to be beyond the comprehension of idol-worshippers, all over the world, and in all ages.

The Five-time Prayers:

This performance of the pilgrimage — a colossal feat of monotheism, is closely knit around the Ka’bah and its surrounding environment. It occurs only once a year, but far more important and surpassing is the performance of prayers in Islam, which are equally connected with the Ka’bah.

Prayers are an obligatory duty upon every Muslim. This is why every Muslim anywhere around the world turns towards Allah, facing in the direction of the Ka’bah five times daily.

Of course, the Ka’bah is for outward direction to face in one’s prayers, though inwardly, one faces his entire heart, to the Lord of the Worlds Himself. In this manner, Muslims are so intimately related to the Ka’bah through their pilgrimage and prayers, till the last moment of their lives.

Not only this, but every Muslim is made to face the direction of the Ka’bah when breathing his last. Nay, even after death he is buried in his last resting place, i.e. in the grave, so that he faces the same direction of the Ka’bah.

Prayers and Sacrifice:

Both the pilgrimage and the prayers are equally connected with the Ka’bah. And offering an animal and the prayers are major Hajj ceremonies, where both the prayer and sacrifice are special tokens of the single worship of Allah, with both being jointly dedicated to Him.

It is a most sublime dedication the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) was asked to offer in the following words: “Say [O Muhammad]: ‘Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists), He has no partner, And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims).” [Al-Qur'an 6: 162-163]

And this forms the only straight path, that is the religion of our father Ibrahim (AS), which is referred to in the preceding verse: “Say [O Muhammad] “Truly, my Lord has guided me to a Straight path, a right religion, and the religion of Ibrahim. ” [Al-Qur'an 6:161]

International Gathering:

On the whole, the Hajj is a unique annual gathering of its own kind. Herein, true Muslims from all over the world; come together on the basis of One-God worship, that is pure monotheism and true Islam. Forgetting their mutual differences of caste, color and social status, they assemble in this international city of Makkah to glorify the One Lord of all creation.

Incidentally, they get a rare opportunity here to discuss together all sorts of communal, religious, economic, social and political problems on an all-world scale, after which no better or more beneficial gathering could be imagined. Such a high, all-embracing congregation has been held every year in the House of Allah for thousands of years now. All these manifold benefits are hinted at in the words: “…That they may witness things that are of benefit to them..” [Al-Qur'an 22:28]

Pilgrimage, therefore, is never a pagan rite, but rather the fulfillment of an incumbent duty concerning One-God worship!

Invitation to Non-muslims:

This is the legacy left behind by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) for all posterity to accept and follow, and no people of any country or nation, are an exception to that posterity.

Instead of regarding the pilgrimage duty as a pagan rite, people ought to reflect upon their own age-old idolatry, and accept and follow the religion of our father Ibrahim (AS).

The hour has come for these very people to proclaim of their own accord: “There is no god worthy of worship except Allah!”. May they perform the pilgrimage to the House of Allah in Makkah! and may they offer their prayers regularly facing towards that same House.