Marriage to Muhammad
See also:
Criticism of Muhammad#Aisha
Aisha was initially betrothed to Jubayr ibn Mut'im, a Muslim whose father, though
pagan, was friendly to the Muslims. When Khawla bint Hakim suggested that Muhammad marry Aisha after the death of Muhammad's first wife (
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid), the previous agreement regarding marriage of Aisha with ibn Mut'im was put aside by common consent.
[1] British historian
William Montgomery Watt suggests that Muhammad hoped to strengthen his ties with Abu Bakr;
[1] the strengthening of ties commonly served as a basis for marriage in Arabian culture.
[2]
According to the traditional sources, Aisha was six or seven years old when betrothed to Muhammad.
[1][3][4] American historian
Denise Spellberg states that "these specific references to the bride's age reinforce Aisha's pre-menarcheal status and, implicitly, her virginity."
[3] This issue of her virginity was of great importance to early historians who supported the
Abbasid Caliphate. These historians considered that as Muhammad's only virgin wife, Aisha was divinely intended for him, and therefore the most credible regarding the debate over the
succession to Muhammad.
[3]
Aisha stayed in her parents' home for several years until she joined Muhammad and the marriage was
consummated.
[1][3][4][5][6][7] Most of the sources indicate that she was nine years old at the time, with the single exception of
al-Tabari, who records that she was ten.
[3] The marriage was delayed until after the
Hijra, or migration to
Medina, in 622; Aisha and her older sister
Asma bint Abi Bakr only moved to Medina after Muhammad had already migrated there. After this, the wedding was celebrated very simply. The sources do not offer much more information about Aisha's childhood years, but mention that after the wedding, she continued to play with her toys, and that Muhammad entered into the spirit of these games.
[8]
