How Old Was Aisha (RA) When She Married the Prophet?

The age of Aisha (RA) at the time of her marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been the subject of historical and scholarly discussion. While many traditional hadith sources state that she was six at the time of marriage and nine at the time of consummation, other historical data offer different perspectives.

For example, Aisha’s sister, Asma bint Abi Bakr, is said to have been 10 years older than Aisha and reportedly died at age 100 in 73 AH (circa 695 CE). Based on this timeline, Aisha would have been around 18 at the time of the Hijrah (622 CE), which would suggest she was approximately 19–21 years old at the time the marriage was consummated.

Additionally, some reports indicate that Aisha was previously engaged to Jubayr ibn Muṭʿim ibn ʿAdi before her marriage to the Prophet (PBUH) — something unlikely if she had been only six at the time.

Regardless of her exact age, it is widely agreed among scholars that the marriage was ethical, legal, and culturally normal in the context of 7th-century Arabia.

Historical Context of Marriage Ages

It’s important to recognize that societal norms around marriage have varied widely across time and place. In medieval Europe, for instance, it was legal and socially acceptable for girls to marry as young as 12 — a norm reflected in both church and civil laws. Life expectancy was lower, and adolescence marked the beginning of adulthood in many societies. Comparing these historical practices with modern standards ignores the vast differences in culture, expectations, and social structures.

The Virgin Mary, revered in both Christianity and Islam, is believed by many Christian traditions to have been married between the ages of 12 and 14. Like Aisha (RA), Mary is a unique and revered figure whose life cannot be judged by modern norms.

Biblical Figures and Child Marriage

Criticism of Aisha’s (RA) marriage often ignores similar historical accounts found in the Judeo-Christian tradition:

Prophet Isaac & Rebecca:
According to Genesis 24, Rebecca was chosen for Isaac when she was a virgin. Jewish sources like the Talmud (Yevamot 61b) suggest she was as young as three years old when she married Isaac, who was 40 (Genesis 25:20). Midrash Genesis Rabbah supports this view.

The Virgin Mary & Joseph:
Early Christian writings, including the Protoevangelium of James, describe Mary as a child when she was betrothed to Joseph. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that Jewish girls typically married between the ages of 12 and 14. The Talmud (Niddah 45a) confirms that puberty began around 12, the typical age of marriage.

Prophet Moses & Zipporah:
Exodus 2 describes Moses marrying Zipporah, daughter of Jethro. Jewish tradition holds that girls often married shortly after puberty. The Sefer HaYashar describes Zipporah as a young woman at marriage — consistent with regional norms.

King David & Abishag:
In 1 Kings 1:1–4, Abishag, described as a young virgin, was brought to King David in his old age. Talmudic sources say she was very young, yet this relationship is rarely criticized with modern moral outrage.

Historical European Marriages

Critics often overlook that child marriages also occurred in Christian Europe:

King Edward I of England:
In 1254, the 15-year-old Edward (later King Edward I) married Eleanor of Castile, who was only nine. This marriage, arranged by their royal families, was accepted and celebrated in its time.

Prominent Child Marriages in History

Throughout history, marriage at a young age was common among royalty and nobility for political, dynastic, and economic reasons. Below is a list of historically significant women who were married before the age of 18:

1. Isabella of Valois & Richard II (England, 14th century) – Married at approximately 6 years old.
2. Margaret Beaufort & Edmund Tudor (England, 15th century) – Married at 12; mother of Henry VII of England.
3. Anne de Mowbray & Richard of Shrewsbury (England, 15th century) – Married around age 6.
4. Joan of France & Louis XII (France, 15th century) – Married at 12.
5. Maria of Castile & Alfonso V of Aragon (Spain, 15th century) – Married around 10.
6. Catherine of Aragon & Arthur Tudor (England, 15th century) – Betrothed and married at around 15.
7. Blanca of Navarre & Charles III of Aragon (France, 14th century) – Married around age 9.
8. Empress Matilda & Henry V (England-Germany, 12th century) – Married around age 12.
9. Beatrice of Burgundy & Philippe VI (France, 14th century) – Married around age 10.
10. Eleanor of Aquitaine & Louis VII (France, 12th century) – Married at 13.
11. Alice of Hainaut & Edward III (England, 14th century) – Married around age 10.
12. Margaret of Anjou & Henry VI (England, 15th century) – Married around age 15.
13. Philippa of Hainaut & Edward III (England, 14th century) – Married at approximately 12.
14. Irene of Wessex & Charles the Bald (France, 9th century) – Married around age 10.
15. Maria of Burgundy & Maximilian I (Belgium, 15th century) – Married at around 11.
16. Mary, Queen of Scots & Francis II (Scotland/France, 16th century) – Married around age 6.
17. Catherine of Braganza & Charles II (England, 17th century) – Married around age 12.
18. Anna of Kiev & Henry I of France (France, 11th century) – Married around age 11.
19. Bertha of Holland & Rudolf IV (Netherlands, 14th century) – Married around age 11.
20. Constance of León & Alfonso VI (Spain, 11th century) – Married around age 10.
21. Agnes of Merania & Philip II of France (Germany-France, 12th century) – Married around age 11.
22. Saint Hedwig of Silesia & Henry I (Poland, 12th century) – Married at about 12.
23. Blanche of Castile & Louis VIII (France, 13th century) – Married at approximately 12.
24. Adelaide of Maurienne & Humbert II (Italy, 12th century) – Married at around 11.
25. Catherine of Aragon & Henry VIII (England, 16th century) – Betrothed to Arthur Tudor at around 12.
26. Margaret of Flanders & Philippe IV (France, 13th century) – Married at around 10.
27. Eleanor of Provence & Henry III (England, 13th century) – Married around age 12.
28. Joan of Navarre & Henry IV (France-England, 14th century) – Married around age 10.
29. Anne of Cleves & Henry VIII (Germany, 16th century) – Married at 24 but previously betrothed young.
30. Matilda of Austria & Hugh IV of Lusignan (Austria, 13th century) – Married at about 10.
31. Elisabeth of Portugal & John II (Portugal, 14th century) – Married around age 11.
32. Maud of England & William X (England, 12th century) – Married around age 10.
33. Emma of Normandy & Aethelred (England, 10th century) – Married around age 12.
34. Margaret of Scotland & Malcolm III (Scotland, 11th century) – Married around age 12.
35. Isabella of Aragon & Frederick II (Spain, 13th century) – Married around age 12.
36. Alice of Champagne & Theobald III (France, 12th century) – Married around age 10.
37. Eleanor of Castile & Edward I (Spain-England, 13th century) – Married around age 12.
38. Sophia of Hanover & Ernest Augustus (Germany, 17th century) – Married around age 11.
39. Matilda of Boulogne & Stephen of Blois (England, 12th century) – Married around age 12.
40. Cecilia of Hohenstaufen & Henry VI (Germany, 12th century) – Married around age 10.
41. Eleanor of Navarre & Henry II (France-England, 12th century) – Married around age 12.
42. Bertha of Savoy & Peter II of Aragon (Italy, 12th century) – Married around age 11.
43. Beatrix of Provence & Raymond Berengar IV (France, 12th century) – Married around age 10.
44. Eleanor of Aquitaine & Henry II (France-England, 12th century) – Married around age 12.
45. Margaret of Denmark & King Eric (Denmark, 14th century) – Married around age 10.
46. Alicia of Hainaut & Louis IX (France, 13th century) – Married around age 12.
47. Margaret of York & Charles the Bold (France, 15th century) – Married around age 12.
48. Agnes of Austria & Louis IV (Austria, 14th century) – Married around age 12.
49. Johanna of Brabant & Philip the Good (Brabant, 14th century) – Married around age 12.
50. Margaret of Brabant & Duke of Burgundy (Brabant, 14th century) – Married around age 12.

Conclusion

Criticisms of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarding his marriage to Aisha (RA) often stem from applying modern Western standards retroactively. When placed in proper historical context, it becomes clear that such marriages were not unusual or immoral by the norms of their time — whether in Arabia, Europe, or elsewhere. It is important to approach such discussions with historical literacy, cultural awareness, and fairness across all traditions.