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Muhammad’s Youngest Bride: Challenging Muhammad’s Character

Muhammad’s Youngest Bride: Challenging Muhammad’s Character

Last updated on: July 27, 2026 at 10:22 am by Todd Weller

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Muhammad’s Youngest Bride: Challenging Muhammad’s Character 2026-07-27T10:22:02-05:00 Todd Weller

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Islam teaches that Muhammad was the greatest man to ever live. Over and over again, the Quran and the Hadith mention Muhammad in the best of terms.

It’s no surprise that this is common in mainstream Islam. Let us see just how good Muhammad looks in the eyes of Muslims everywhere.

First, the Quran teaches the following about our good friend, Muhammad:

First, in Surah 33:21, we read: Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.

Second, in Surah 21: 107, we read: We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy for the whole world

Third, in Surah 68:2-4, we read: By the grace of your Lord, you ˹O Prophet˺ are not insane. You will certainly have a never-ending reward. And you are truly ˹a man˺ of outstanding character.

Let’s look at two examples from the Hadith regarding Muhammad’s Character:

Our first example is Sahih al-Bukhari 6203. In it, we read:

Narrated Anas:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) was the best of all the people in character. I had a brother called Abu `Umar, who, I think, had been newly weaned. Whenever he (that child) was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) the Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, “O Abu `Umar! What did Al-Nughair (nightingale) (do)?” It was a nightingale with which he used to play. Sometimes the time of the Prayer became due while he (the Prophet) was in our house. He would order that the carpet underneath him be swept and sprayed with water, and then he would stand up (for the prayer) and we would line up behind him, and he would lead us in prayer.”

Our second example is Sahih Muslim 2310. In it, we read:

“Anas b. Malik reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was the best amongst people in disposition and behaviour.”

Now, we should notice that I am not simply hyperbolizing here. Anas considers Muhammad to be “the best of all the people in character.” If there is someone whose example I would want to follow, it should be Muhammad then, right?

Whatever Muhammad does is acceptable. If Muhammad jumps, I will ask, “How High?” If Muhammad meets strange men in the middle of a desert, I want to know who they are. And, if Muhammad raids a caravan, I want to know how to best do that very action. That at least should be my response, right?

The Prophet’s Example

Muhammad has a lot on his resume. He was, according to Muslims, known as trustworthy and upright. Obviously, according to the sources above, he was, at least, a decent man, right? Of course, he wasn’t just decent, he was PERFECT.

He was THE example for the world to follow. If this is the case, then we need to reckon with some of the things that he did and taught both within the Quran, and without. This will occur slowly over the course a couple of articles (as I’ve begun to do already). And do not worry, I’ll revisit the U.K. rape gangs soon,

That being said, there is a myriad of things that he did that lend themselves to the actions of the Muslims involved in the rape gangs.

Let’s first, go down a brief list of what Muhammad accomplished. Our perfect Prophet brings so much to the table. He…

…engaged in the selling and buying of Black Slaves.
…raided Caravans and became a warlord.
…taught that Muslims should fight Christians, Jews, and Polytheists until they submit or pay Jizya.
…prescribed Muta Marriage: a short-term time bound contract that men can end any time they wish after having their way with a woman.
…and, of course, he married a child.

I’m going to treat the last point on the list throughout the rest of this article.

First, let’s ask two questions:

Was Aisha really 6 years old when she was married?

And,

Was the marriage really consummated when she was 9? Let’s hear from the mother of all believers herself.

Our first source is Sahih Muslim 1422a:

A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported:

“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house at the age of nine. She further said: We went to Medina and I had an attack of fever for a month, and my hair had come down to the earlobes. Umm Ruman (my mother) came to me and I was at that time on a swing along with my playmates. She called me loudly and I went to her and I did not know what she had wanted of me. [Umm Ruman] took hold of my hand and took me to the door, and I was saying: Ha, ha (as if I was gasping), until the agitation of my heart was over. She took me to a house, where had gathered the women of the Ansar. They all blessed me and wished me good luck and said: May you have share in good. She (my mother) entrusted me to them. They washed my head and embellished me and nothing frightened me. Allah’s Messenger (, may peace be upon him) came there in the morning, and I was entrusted to him.”

What do we learn from Sahih Muslim 1422a?

Aisha was six when Muhammad marries her.
She was nine when Muhammad admits her to his house.
Muhammad waited (presumably) because she had been sick and lost her hair.
Aisha’s mother gave her to Muhammad after she removes her from her playmates.

Of course, maybe there is still doubt. Was she REALLY SIX YEARS-OLD WHEN SHE WAS MARRIED TO MUHAMMAD? DID HE REALLY CONSUMMATE THE MARRIAGE WITH HER WHEN SHE WAS NINE?

Here’s another source to help answer our questions. In Sahih al-Bukhari 5158, we read:

Narrated ‘Urwa:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) wrote the (marriage contract) with `Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).”

What do we learn from Sahih al-Bukhari 5158?

Aisha was six when Muhammad marries her.
She was nine when Muhammad consummates the marriage with her.
She remained married to him until his death.

Surely her friends were ok with Muhammad marrying her, though. Maybe they also, presumably being young, love Muhammad!
Let’s look at how they saw the Great Prophet!

Our next source is Mishkat Al-Masabih 3243. In it, we read:

A’isha said:

“I was playing with dolls in the Prophet’s house and I had companions who played with me; but when God’s Messenger entered they would withdraw from him. He would then send them to me and they would play with me.”

What do we learn from Mishkat Al-Masabih 3243?

Aisha was playing with dolls.
Aisha was playing with her friends
When Muhammad arrived, her friends withdrew and ran away from him.
Muhammad would send them back to play with Aisha.

It’s so sweet that Muhammad would let his child-bride play with her dolls. It’s important to note that playing with dolls was considered “bidah” (forbidden) in the sight of Islamic Law if a female is past the age of maturity. Surely, the prophet wouldn’t let one of his wives sin. Afterall, he is one of noble character and is an example for mankind. Let’s see one more source describing this marriage just to be sure.

In Sahih al-Bukhari 6130, we read:

Narrated `Aisha:

“I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) used to enter (my dwelling place) they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (The playing with the dolls and similar images is forbidden, but it was allowed for `Aisha at that time, as she was a little girl, not yet reached the age of puberty.) (Fath-ul-Bari page 143, Vol.13)”

Whoops, What do we learn from Sahih al-Bukhari 6130?

Aisha played with dolls in the presence of the Prophet.
Her girl friends would play with her. (Apparently, Muhammad loved watching them as well.)
Aisha’s friends would hide when Muhammad would walk in. (I’m starting to think they weren’t a fan of Muhammad.)
Muhammad would called them in to play.
Islamic law forbids the playing with dolls for women. But for Aisha it was ok because she hadn’t gone through puberty yet.

It’s Strange

One strange thing about this is that Muslims will often claim that Muhammad did not, in fact marry a six year old. And they will also claim that his consummation with Aisha happened when she reached the age of maturity…

The problem is that their definition of maturity, apparently, is not based on the biological clock. Puberty is not a marker for “readiness” to consummate. Mental and emotional maturity is not a marker either.

In fact, as I said before, the Quran itself, seems to assume marriage for any girl of any age. This shows itself in regulations for divorce.

You don’t believe me?

Well, let’s go to the word of Allah, shall we?

I’m going to give the ayah in question in three different translations. Afterward, I will supply a commentary from a Muslim scholar.

Surah 65:4

As for your women past the age of menstruation, in case you do not know, their waiting period is three months, and those who have not menstruated as well. As for those who are pregnant, their waiting period ends with delivery.1 And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy for them.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

If you are in doubt, the period of waiting will be three months for those women who have ceased menstruating and for those who have not [yet] menstruated; the waiting period of those who are pregnant will be until they deliver their burden: God makes things easy for those who are mindful of Him.

— M.A.S. Abdel Haleem

And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months, along with those who have it not. And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, He maketh his course easy for him.

— M. Pickthall

What do we learn from these three translations of Surah 65:4?

This verse teaches about women who wish to remarry after a divorce. Allah (Muhammad) divides these women into different categories.

First, if a woman is finished with menstruating due to age, then the waiting period for her to be released is 3 months.

Second, if a woman is pregnant, her waiting period will be until she had given birth.

Third, and most importantly: For those who have not menstruated (and as M.A.S. Abdel Haleem translates it, “have not [yet] menstruated”) their waiting period is three months…

The Quran teaches the waiting period for the finalization of a divorce is 3 months when they have not even begun puberty.

Also, notice this: This is a prescription from the Quran; this is not a description.

This is not a time stamped occurrence, nor is there there a later covenant or ruling that abrogates this. This is square within the text of the Quran and is prescribed by Allah to Muhammad, presumably for all time.

Also Note: This is Not Simply my, non-Muslim, interpretation. Even Muslim scholars admit this.

Mufti Muhammad Shafi (1897-1976) in his Ma’rif al-Quran, for instance, seems to agree. In his tafsir on Surah 65:4, he states:

“In the case of women who have stopped menstruating for good on account of advanced age, or due to some disease etc. their “iddah is three months instead of three menstrual cycles. The same is the “iddah of young women who have not yet started menstruating on account of being under age. The “iddah for women who are pregnant at the time of divorce continues until they give birth to their child irrespective of the length of the period.”

Aisha, according to this verse and commentary from Muslim scholars, could’ve even been married BEFORE Muhammad even began a contract with her father. This is very well a possibility.

So to close out, we’ve established some important information:

Aisha was six when she married Muhammad.
Muhammad consummated the marriage when she was nine.
Aisha played with dolls indicating that she not undergone puberty yet.
Muhammad taught that women who had not started puberty could be [re]married as long as they waited three months following the divorce.