life of Muhammed

[Tita]

Why did Muhammed have so many wives? I thought his followers were limited to, at most, four wives, so why did he have so many? And why was one of them only eight years old when they married, and nine when the marriage was consummated?

[seekeroftruth]

>Why did Muhammed have so many
>wives? I thought his
>followers were limited to, at
>most, four wives, so why
>did he have so many?
> And why was one
>of them only eight years
>old when they married, and
>nine when the marriage was
>consummated?


Salam, how u all doing?

Just want to help a fellow human on this issue;
I found this 'quite' useful article from a site, i was just browsing;

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Wives of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH)

By: Siddiq Sajoury


The crusaders, the orientalists and other opponents of Islam repeatedly argue that Muhammad, the prophet of Islam (PBUH), was extremely passionate in his love and desire for women, and that was the reason why he had married

many wives just like the lustful and pleasure-seeking kings

Orientalists like Irving, Washington and Lammens etc. had related fanciful stories about the marital status of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and that he had accumulated in a short period of time more than 9 women, although at that time polygamy was common among the Arabs.

Unfortunately some Muslim writers of the Prophets biography were dishonest and painted a sexual portrait of the prophet of Islam and provided rich material to the orientalists and other opponents of Islam, to launch their propaganda campaign against this great man. The truth is that Muhammad (PBUH) had not married a plurality of wives just for lust and desire as shown by the historical facts given by the unbiased biographers.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before his prophethood had lived 15 years of married life and thereafter 11 more years with only one wife, namely Khadija (May Allah be pleased with her) which was a widow. When they were married she was (40) years old and he was at 25 years of age. He spent the prime time of his potency with an old widow and remained faithful to her for (26) years until her death. Women in pre-Islam Arabia used to move around unveiled, exposing their beauty, and do some rites of Haj (pilgrimage) at Ka’aba totally nude in public. At that time it was never reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a womanizer and the message which he was communicating called for prohibition of obscenity and lewdness. It was not likely that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) above the age of fifty years old had started to amass about (9) wives (most of them were widows) within a period of (7) years merely on grounds of sexual desire.

There was a great deal of historical evidence to the effect that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not marry either A’ishah or Hafsa out of desire. They were the daughters of two of his viziers and faithful close companions i.e. Abu Bakar and Omar (May Allah be pleased with them) respectively. He married most of his wives in order to consolidate the ties of mutual brotherhood within the new Islamic community. The other reason which motivated Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to marry more wives was his desire to console, support and take care of the widows of those Muslim fighters who fell martyrs in the cause of Allah. Most of those widows were poor, old or had so many children as in the case of Umm Salamah, Zaynab, daughter of Khuzaymah and Sawdah daughter of Zam’ah .

However, the circumstances surrounding, the marriage of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to Zeynab, daughter of Jahsh offered a good opportunity to the crusaders and orientalists to give full vent to their evil intentions, towards the Prophet of Islam. They unleashed their imagination and related the story in many erotic and thrilling versions. Zaynab was a cousin of Prophet Muhammad and he arranged her marriage to his adopted son, Zayd Ibn Haritha. The modern opponents of Islam relied on some reports by the sick hearted or fifth column Muslim writers to the effect that, once Muhammad passed by the house of his adopted son Zayd in the latter’s absence and saw his wife Zaynab in clothes which exposed her beauty. They related that the sight struck Prophet Muhammad and he uttered words of admiration to Zaynab. She proudly reported that incident to her husband, and since then she was no longer an obedient wife and Zayd was forced to divorce her. The opponents of Islam based on these false reports, harshly criticized Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and stated that he fell in love with Zaynab while she was the wife of his adopted son, Zayd. The Orientalist biographers of Prophet Muhammad tell their readers, that Muhammad planned to marry Zaynab and he could hardly conceal that secret desire for long. When Zayd decided to divorce Zaynab, Prophet Muhammad told him to hold fast to his wife. It was taboo at that time to marry the ex-wife of the adopted son. They argued that the Prophet of Islam claimed that a divine revelation came to him to lift that taboo in order to quench his love and desire for Zaynab. All these claims are utterly false and baseless.

The truth was that Zaynab, as a first cousin of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was brought up under his care and he knew very well whether she was beautiful or not before she was ever married to Zayed. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), would have married her himself at the very beginning rather than give her in marriage to Zayed. Zaynab and her family at first rejected this wedding with Zayd as bridegroom because he was an ex-slave and Zaynab was of a noble family. Finally, there was a divine revelation that all Muslims are to obey their Prophet : “It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (Qur’an - 33:36) and accordingly Zaynab implemented the main principles of Islam that: “ No body is superior to others because of his race, or class. The only criteria for superiority is piety and fear of God” It is said in the Holy Qur’an: “Highest in God’s view is the most virtuous” (49:13)

Prophet Muhammad selected his own cousin Zaynab for the hard task of breaking the pagan traditions and customs of the Arabs and to endure all the criticism and despises of the society. However, Zaynab did not like Zayd as a husband and, in Islam, a woman is not forced to spend all her life with a man whom she does not love while she can get divorce. Zayd complained about her to the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and even consulted with him in the matter of divorcing her. Every time the Prophet would counsel him by saying: “Hold fast to your wife…” ultimately Zayd divorced her as usually happens when marital disputes become beyond solutions. Every day in all times, marriages break down because the couples are brought up in different backgrounds and environments, so why was it an exception in the case of Zayd and Zaynab?!

The marriage of Zayed and Zaynab was a practical demonstration by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that slavery is totally abolished and those ex-slaves like Zayd are promoted to the status of noble men and can marry girls from noble families.

The adopted children in pre-Islam era were treated on a par with the legitimate children, i.e. inheritance and the prohibition of marriages on grounds of consanguinity. The divine revelation also abolished this practice and clearly stated that: “God did not make your adopted sons as your own sons. To declare them so is your empty claim…” ( The Holy Qur’an: 33:4)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was determined to break the long established practice among the Arabs that adopted sons do not marry the ex-wives of their adopting fathers and vice versa even if it would bring about so much criticism for him. He was supported by another divine revelation: “Would you fear the gossip of the people? Isn’t God more worthy of being feared.” (The Holy Qur’an – 33:37) Thus, Muhammad (PBUH) married Zayanb in order to abolish that obsolete custom and to obey the divine relevation, which had already abolished many other bad traditions and practices.

It is surprising that the crusaders believe in all the miracles or breaches of natural law by Ibrahim,Moses, Jesus Christ and other Prophets (Peace be upon them) and accept the fact that all the prophets, except John and Jesus (Peace be upon them), were polygamous, but yet blame Prophet Muhammad for the alleged violation of family law, or taking in marriage old widows of his companions.

Revised from:The Life of Muhammad
By: M.H. Haykal

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The article below is worth a try;

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Wisdom Behind Prophet Muhammad’s Plural Marriages

By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya

Non-Muslims, in general, have many misconceptions on Islâm and the Muslims. As the product of so many false propaganda written against Islâm and the Muslims, many non-Muslims misunderstood the beauty, rationality, practicality, completeness, truthfulness or in short, excellence of Islâm and its teachings. One excellent Islâmic teaching in Islâm is polygamy (plurality of marriage among men). Non-Muslims must know that everything that Allâh the Exalted, Most Glorious) and His Messenger (pbuh, meaning: May the peace and blessings of Allâh be upon him) command us to do is good for every one and for the society as a whole.

Most enemies of Islâm center their biased criticisms on the Prophet Muhammad's plural marriages, which exceeded more than four as allowed in the Qur’ân. They branded the Prophet (pbuh) as “sexually obsessed man” for marrying more than four. In Islam, men are allowed to marry maximum four as long as they can show fair treatment to the women (whom they marry) as shown in the following Qur’anic Ayâh (Verse):

"If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, three or three, or four. But if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or that which your right hands possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice." (Qur’an, 4:3)

We have to correct the distorted notion that the Prophet (pbuh) was “sexually obsessed man” for marrying more than four. We should make it clear to the non-Muslims that Allâh commands us to follow the Prophet (pbuh) as he is the best example to the whole mankind (Qur’ân 33:21). Islâm as the perfect religion is both rational and practical. The Prophet’s plural marriages, which exceeded the maximum number allowed for men [1] is an exception to the Qur’ânic injunction (i.e., 4:3) to show all possible types of marriage in Islâm. If he was “sexually obsessed man” he would have married more in his early manhood, not after he had passed the age of fifty. The fact that he married Khadijah bint Khuwailid (RadhiAllâhu anha, meaning: May Allâh be pleased with her) and lived a monogamous life (for twenty-seven years) till she died, showed that he (pbuh) was not “sexually obsessed man”. But his marriage to Khadijah shows only limited types of marriage that are allowed in Islâm. That is, it is permissible for a man to marry a woman who is older than him, for a poor and orphan man to marry a wealthy woman, for an employee to marry his employer, and for a bachelor man to a marry a widow. If Allâh did not allow the Prophet (pbuh) to marry other women, how could marriage in Islâm be open to all other types of marriages? Had the Prophet (pbuh) not married other women, Muslims who follow the Sunnah would find it difficult to enter into marriage with the limited examples from the Prophet’s marriage to Khadijah. The Prophet’s plural marriages after his monogamous marriage with Khadijah for so many years show that in Islâm it is allowed for a man to marry virgin woman, who is very much younger than him, as in the case of ‘Aishah bint Abi Bakr (RadhiAllâhu anha). A man can choose to marry young and intelligent woman like Aishah. He can marry his friends’ daughters, in the same way as the Prophet (pbuh) married Aishah and Hafsah, the daughters of his closest friends: Abi Bakar (RadhiAllâhu anhu, meaning: May Allâh be pleased with him) and Umar Aishah and Hafsah, the daughters of his closest friends: Abi Bakar (RadhiAllâhu anhu) in order to foster ties of relationships. Or he can marry his enemies’ daughters as the Prophet (pbuh) married: Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith, the daughter of Al Harith, the head of Bani Al-Mustaliq of Khuza’ah and Umm Habibah or Ramlah (RadhiAllâhu anha), the daughter of Abu Sufyan. Note that both Al-Harith and Abu Sufyan were bitter enemies of Islâm. The Prophet’s marriages to their daughters show how Islâm goes for peace and reconciliation. Knowing that Juwairiah and Ramlah are both from ruling families, man’s marriage to women of high social status is therefore, allowed. Likewise, it is allowed for a man to marry woman of low social class as in the case of Maria, who was given to the Prophet (pbuh) as a present by the ruler of Egypt. The Prophet (pbuh) elevated her status by marrying her, instead of making her his slave. His marriages to his captives: Juwairiyah(RadhiAllâhu anha) Bint Al-Haritha and Saffiyah (RadhiAllâhu anha), Bint Huyay bin Akhtab, not only show how Islâm tolerates mix marriages based on social status; but also shows the high regard given to women. Instead of making them slaves, being his captives, he married them and gave them the highest status of women being among the “Mothers of the Believers”. It further shows how the Prophet (pbuh) freed women from the bondage of slavery. Aside from inter social and cultural marriages, the Prophet (pbuh) also demonstrated that Islâm permits inter religious marriage with the People of the Book by marrying Safiyyah (RadhiAllâhu anha) bint Huyay bin Akhtab, a Jew and Maria (RadhiAllâhu anha), a Christian from Egypt. Both of them embraced Islâm and became among the “Mothers of the Believers”.

With his marriage to Sawda (RadhiAllâhu anha) Bint Zam’a, a widower can opt to marry middle-aged, widow, jolly, and kind woman like Sawda who can take care of his children. The Prophet’s marriages to Hafsah (RadhiAllâhu anha) Bint Umar bin Al-Khattab, Zainab (RadhiAllâhu anha) bint Khuzaimah and Umm Salamah Hind (RadhiAllâhu anha) bint Abi Omaiyah, all widows, show that men should show sympathy and care for widows by marrying them. Had he not married Umm Salamah, a widow with many children, he would not have demonstrated his virtuous teachings on the care of the orphans. He showed kindness to them, treated them just like his real children. The Prophet’s marriage to his cousin, Zainab (RadhiAllâhu anha) bint Jahsh, who was divorced by his adopted son, Zaid , shows that in Islâm, it is lawful for man to marry his first degree cousin. It is also lawful for man to marry a woman, divorced by his adopted son. In addition, Islâm allows the practice of betrothal before entering into marriage as what the Prophet (pbuh) did prior to his marriage to ‘Aishah (RadhiAllâhu anha). It also permits marriage in absentia as in the case of his marriage to Umm Habibah or Ramlah (RadhiAllâhu anha), the daughter of Abu Sufyan, who was in Abysinnia. The Prophet (pbuh) asked the King of Negus for Umm Habibah’s hand for marriage, which the King granted. Islâm also allows a case where a man marries a woman who presents herself for marriage as in the case of Maymunah (RadhiAllâhu anha). Maymunah voluntarily presented herself to the Prophet (pbuh) and became one of his wives.

Non-Muslims should know that Allâh permitted all Prophet’s plural marriages (i.e., more than four wives at the same time). Allâh only allows plural marriages (more than four wives at the same time) to His Messenger (pbuh) and not for the Believers at large. The plural marriages of the Prophet (which exceeded the maximum four allowed for men) are for the guidance of the Believers. They serve as guides on the dos and don’ts of marriages in Islâm. All the types of marriages that we derive from the Prophet’s plural marriages are based on the following Qur’ânic injunctions:

“This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the people of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but chaste women among the People of the Book, revealed before your time, when you give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness. Taking them as lovers. If any one rejects faith, fruitless is his work, and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)." (5:5)

And (remember) when you (O Muhammad) did say to him (Zaid bin Haritha ¾ the freed slave of the Prophet) on whom by guiding him to Islâm, and you (too) have done favor( by manumitting him) “Retain (in wedlock) your wife and fear Allâh.” But you did hide in your heart that which Allâh was about to make manifest (that He will give her to you in marriage). You did fear the people but it is more fitting that you should fear Allâh. Then, when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality) (he divorced her). We joined her in marriage to you; in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them (they have divorced them). And Allâh’s command must be fulfilled. (33:37)

O Prophet (Muhammad)! Verily, We have made lawful to you: your wives to whom you have paid their dowers; and those whom your right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom Allâh has assigned to you; and daughters of your paternal uncles and aunts and daughters of your maternal uncles and aunts who migrated (from Makkah) with you; and any believing woman who dedicates her soul to the Prophet if the Prophet wishes to wed her. This is only for you and not for the Believers (at large). We know what We have appointed for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess in order that there should be no difficulty for you. And Allâh is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. (33:50)

Allah's statement: “…This is only for you and not for the Believers (at large)” (33:50) means that Allah the Almighty has allowed His Messenger (pbuh) more than the maximum number of wives that He has allowed for men in Islam, which is four (at the same time) as clearly stated in Qur’anic Ayâh (Verse) 3 of Chapter 4 (Surah An-Nisa).

It must be noted that other Prophets and Messengers of Allah have more than four wives. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah)! Allah has perfected Islam through His Final Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Before the Prophet's death, Allah has perfected Islam. During his pilgrimage to Makkah on the Day of Arafat he received the following very inspiring revelation:
“...This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Qur'an, 5:3)

All the conditions of types of marriages as demonstrated by the Prophet (pbuh) reflect the wisdom behind his marriages. He has shown to us that any righteous Muslim man can live a happy and peaceful life with his wife or wives (whether young or old, poor or rich or any physical, social or racial status, etc.). A righteous Muslim can live with his believing or righteous wife or wives till death (without resorting to family break-ups) no matter how economically poor he is. He has proven that spiritual richness (i.e., fear and love of Allah and hope for His rewards) makes marriages successful. The world's Great Prophet serves as the perfect model for the whole mankind. Islâm is indeed, complete, rational, and practical. In short, it is the perfect religion for the whole mankind.

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Why Did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Married Young Aisha Siddiqa (r.a.)?

http://www.iol.ie/~afifi/BICNews/Sabeel/sabeel6.htm

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I hope i have helped you in some way, and there are other members who would be able to help too.

Take care and learn islam from islam (i.e. Muslims).

SadiQ!!

[Tita]

Thank you kindly for your detailed answers. Basically, if I am reading this correctly, according to Islam Muhammed was allowed more than four wives by Allah, correct? I don't agree with the whole polygamy thing in general, but I can see the justification in the Koran for Muhammed's marital status.

However, the situation with Aisha troubles me. Did Muhammed have to marry her in order to train her? Or, if he did have to marry her, why not wait until she became a woman to start living with her?

[servant_of_Allah]

LAST EDITED ON 31-12-01 AT 09:32 PM (GMT)[p]Assalamu Alaykum !

In addition to the link the brother gave on Prophet Muhammed's (Peace be upon him) marriage with Aisha (RA), here is another one.

http://www.muslim-answers.org/aishah.htm

Wassalamu Alaykum,
Servant of Allah.



________
Honda CL450 history (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_CL450)

[seekeroftruth]

>Thank you kindly for your detailed
>answers. Basically, if I
>am reading this correctly, according
>to Islam Muhammed was allowed
>more than four wives by
>Allah, correct? I don't
>agree with the whole polygamy
>thing in general, but I
>can see the justification in
>the Koran for Muhammed's marital
>status.

That's your opinon!

>However, the situation with Aisha troubles
>me. Did Muhammed have
>to marry her in order
>to train her? Or,
>if he did have to
>marry her, why not wait
>until she became a woman
>to start living with her?
>

I would just like to qoute from the above link, which i have you!

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C. The Prophet married Aisha for the benefit of Islam and Humanity
Lets analyse...

1. The Prophet married Aisha primarily for three reasons:

a. To reinforce the friendly relations already existing with Abu Bakr (his closest companion).

b. To educate and train Aisha for the purposes of Islam.

c. To utilise her capabilities for the sake of Islam.

2. Her Marriage with the prophet was a Wahy (Divine Revelation). She, herself relates from the Prophet. "He said, 'I saw you in dreams three times. The angel brought you to me and you were clad in white silk. He (the angel) said that it was your consort and he (angel) showed me by opening your face. You are just like that..." Sahih Muslim, Vol.2, p. 285.

3. Aisha (r.a.) was born after her parents had embraced Islam. Therefore, she was free from the defilement of polytheism right from her birth.

4. In her youth, already known for her striking beauty and her formidable memory, she came under the loving care and attention of the Prophet himself. As his wife and close companion she acquired from him knowledge and insight such as no woman has ever acquired.

Aisha lived on almost fifty years after the passing away of the Prophet. She had been his wife for a decade. Much of this time was spent in learning and acquiring knowledge of the two most important sources of God's guidance, the Qur'an and the Sunnah of His Prophet. Aisha (r.a.) was one of the three wives (the other two being Hafsa (r.a.) and Umm Salama (r.a.) who memorised the Revelation. Like Hafsa (r.a.), she had her own script of the Qur'an written after the Prophet had died.

So far as the Hadith or sayings of the Prophet is concerned, Aisha (r.a.) is one of four persons (the others being Abu Hurayra, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Anas ibn Malik) who transmitted more than two thousand sayings. From her, 2210 Hadith have come, out of which 174 Hadith are commonly agreed upon by both Bukhari and Muslim.

Many of her transmissions pertain to some of the most intimate aspects of personal behaviour which only someone in Aisha's position could have learnt. What is most important is that her knowledge of Hadith was passed on in written form by at least three persons including her nephew Urwah who became one of the greatest scholars among the generation after the Companions.

It is the claim of the Scholars of Islam that without her, half of the Ilm-I-Hadith [knowledge, understanding of the Hadith (and Islam)] would have perished.

5. Many of the learned companions of the Prophet and their followers benefited from Aishah's knowledge. Abu Musa al-Ash'ari once said:

"If we companions of the Messenger of God had any difficulty on a matter, we asked Aisha about it."

"Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said from Said ibn al-Musayyab that Abu Musa al-Ash'ari came to Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said to her, "The disagreement of the companions in a matter which I hate to bring before you has distressed me." She said, "What is that? You did not ask your mother about it, so ask me." He said, "A man penetrates his wife, but becomes listless and does not ejaculate. "She said, "When the circumcised part passes the circumcised part ghusl is obligatory." Abu Musa added, "I shall never ask anyone about this after you."

Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik, Hadith 2.75.

Arwa Bin Zubair says,

"I did not find anyone more proficient [than Aisha (r.a.)] in the knowledge of the Holy Qur'an, the Commandments of Halal (lawful) and Haram (prohibited), Ilmul-Ansab and Arabic poetry. That is why, even senior companions of the Prophet used to consult Aisha (r.a.) in resolving intricate issued".

Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Sa'ad, Jala-ul-Afham, vol. 2, p. 26.

Abu Musa al-Ash'ari says:

"Never had we (the companions) had any difficulty for the solution of which we approached Aisha and did not get some useful information from her".

Sirat-I-Aisha, on the authority of Trimidhi, p. 163.

6. As a teacher she had a clear and persuasive manner of speech and her power of oratory has been described in superlative terms by al-Ahnaf who said: "I have heard speeches of Abu Bakr and Umar, Uthman and Ali and the Khulafa up to this day, but I have not heard speech more persuasive and more beautiful from the mouth of any person than from the mouth of Aisha."

The Prophet said,

"The superiority of 'Aisha to other ladies is like the superiority of Tharid (i.e. meat and bread dish) to other meals. Many men reached the level of perfection, but no woman reached such a level except Mary, the daughter of Imran and Asia, the wife of Pharaoh."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith, Narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari Hadith 4.643.

Musa Ibn Talha (r.a.) says,

"I did not see anyone more eloquent than Aisha (r.a.)"

Mustadrak of Hakim, vol.4, p.11.

7. Men and women came from far and wide to benefit from her knowledge.

Aisha's great interest in the study of the Qur'an is understandable. She was an eye-witness to a number of revelations and had therefore a clear idea of the circumstances in which they were revealed. It was on her bed alone (and no other consort's) that the Prophet received Wahy (Divine Revelations) several times. This helped her in interpreting the verses.

8. At the time of the Prophet's death, the Prophet's head was on her lap. It was in her quarters that the Prophet was buried.


The life of Aisha (R) is a proof that a woman can be far more learned than men and that she can be the teacher of scholars and experts. Her life is also a proof that a woman can exert influence over men and women and provide them with inspiration and leadership. Aisha (R) is a continuing inspiration and role model to today's youth who are diligently searching for an example amongst the pop stars, movie actresses and sports stars. May the memory of her's live forever in the heart of the Muslim Ummah and may Allah grant her the highest abode in Paradise...Ameen.

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If you 'read' this carefully, not saying that you do not, but it should really help you understand the issue of the marriage between the blessed prophet and aisha!!.

I hope you are well and healthy!
And keep up the good work, questions are the only way!!!right?

----------------------------------------
'Polgamy (Plurality of Wives)'
Page 321 Of 'Islam In Focus' by Hammudah Abdulati
----------------------------------------------------

The above book, in general is good, and i would recommend it to you and others. I was just reading the book and the above page number deals with your question. I would have 'written' all of the 8-10 pages, but the 'oil' in the finger is very low! But please do find the book, its free for anyone (post) and read it for further 'studies' in islam.


Salam
Take CarE

SadiQ!!

[seekeroftruth]

Just want to give you the 'freeeeeee' link;
To the following!!

----------------------------------------
'Polgamy (Plurality of Wives)'
Page 321 Of 'Islam In Focus' by Hammudah Abdulati
----------------------------------------------------


I found a link, were you can view the whole 'chapter' online, someone else has taken the time to write up the whole book! May Allah reward the person.

This is the link;

----------------------------------------
'Polgamy (Plurality of Wives)'
Islam In Focus' by Hammudah Abdulati

>> Islam In Focus = http://www.jamaat.net/ebooks/islaminfocus/

The ARTICLE! THAT YOU NEED!!=
http://www.jamaat.net/ebooks/islaminfocus/Chapter5_2.html
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The important 'bits' from the article above, but i would 'LIKE' you to 'READ' the above article fully and most of the book.

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These marriages are no problem for a Muslim who understands the ideal character of the Prophet and the circumstances under which his marriages were contracted. But quite often they stand as a stumbling block for non-Muslims to understand the personality of the Prophet, and cause irresponsible and premature conclusions, which are not to the credit of Islam or the Prophet. Here we shall not give any conclusions of our own or denounce the conclusions of others. We shall present certain facts and let the readers see for themselves.

The institution of marriage as such enjoys a very high status in Islam. It is highly commendable and essential for the sound survival of society.
Muhammad never said that he was immortal or divine. Time and again, he emphasized the fact that he was a mortal chosen by God, to deliver God’s message to mankind. Although unique and distinguished in his life, he lived like a man and died as a man. Marriage, therefore, was natural for him, and not a heresy or anathema.
He lived in an extremely hot climate where the physical desires press hard on man, where people develop physical maturity at an early age, and where easy satisfaction was a common thing among people of all classes. Nevertheless, Muhammad had never touched women until he was twenty-five years of age, when he married for the first time. In the whole of Arabia he was known by his unimpeachable character and called al-Ameen, a title which signified the highest standard of moral life.
His first marriage at this unusually late stage in that area was to Lady Khadeejah, an old twice-widowed lady-who was fifteen years senior to him. She herself initiated the contract, and he accepted the proposal in spite of her older age and in spite of her being twice- widowed. At the time he could have quite easily found many prettier girls and much younger wives, if he were passionate or after things physical.
With this lady alone, he lived until he was over fifty years of age, and by her he had all his children with the exception of Ibraheem. She lived with him until she passed the age of sixty-five, and in her life he never had any other marriage or any other intimacy with anybody besides his only wife.
Now he proclaimed the message of God, and was well over fifty and she over sixty-five years of age. Persecutions and perils were continually inflicted on him and his followers. In the middle of these troubles, his wife died. After her death, he stayed without any wife for some time. Then there was Sawdah, who had emigrated with her husband to Abyssinia in the early years of persecutions. On the way back, her husband died and she sought a shelter. The natural course for her was to turn to the Prophet himself for whose mission her husband had died. The Prophet extended his shelter and married her. She was not particularly young or pretty and pleasant. She was an ordinary widow with a quick and loose temper. Later in the same year, the Prophet proposed to a minor girl of seven years, Aishah, the daughter of his dear companion Abu Bakr. The marriage was not consummated till some time after the migration to Medina. The motives of these two marriages can be understood to be anything except passions and physical attractions. However, he lived with the two wives for five to six years, up to his fifty-sixth year of age, without taking any other wife.
From his fifty-sixth year up to the sixtieth year of his life, the Prophet contracted nine marriages in quick succession. In the last three years of his life he contracted no marriages at all. Most of his marriages were contracted in a period of about five years, when he was passing the most difficult and trying stage in his mission. It was at that time that Muslims were engaged in decisive battles and entangled in an endless circle of trouble from within as well as from without. It was at that time that the Islamic legislation was in the making, and the foundations of an Islamic society were being laid down. The fact that Muhammad was the most dominant figure in these events and the center around which they revolved, and that most of his marriages took place during this particular period is an extremely interesting phenomenon. It invites the serious attention of historians, sociologists, legislators, psychologists, etc. It cannot be interpreted simply in terms of physical attractions and lustful passions.
Muhammad lived a most simple, austere, and modest life. During the day he was the busiest man of his era as he was Head of State, Chief Justice, Commander-in-Chief, Instructor, etc., ail at once. At night he was the most devoted man. He used to stay one to two-thirds of every night vigilant in prayers and meditation (Qur’an, 73:20). His furniture consisted of mats, jugs, blankets and such simple things, although he was the king and sovereign of Arabia. His life was so severe and austere that his wives once pressed him for wordly comforts but they never had any (cf. Qur’an, 33:48). Obviously, that was not the life of a lustful and passionate man.
The wives he took were all widows or divorced with the exception of one minor girl, Aishah. None of these widowed and divorced wives was particularly known for physical charms or beauties. Some of them were senior to, him in age, and practically all of them sought his hand and shelter, or were presented to him as gifts but he took them as legal wives.
This is the general background of the Prophet’s marriages, and it can never give any impressions that these marriages were in response to physical needs or biological pressures. It is inconceivable to think that he maintained so large a number of wives because of personal designs or physical wants. Anyone, a friend or a foe, who doubts the moral integrity or the spiritual excellence of Muhammad on account of his marriages has to find satisfactory explanations of questions like these: Why did he start his first marriage at the age of 25 after having had no association with any female? Why did he choose a twice-widowed older lady who was 15 years senior to him? Why did he remain with her only until her death when he was over fifty? Why did he accept all those helpless widows and divorcees who possessed no particular appealing qualities? Why did he lead such an austere and hard life, when he could have had an easy and comfortable course? Why did he contract most of his marriages in the busiest five years in his life, when his mission and career were at stake? How could he manage to be what he was, if the haram life or passions overtook him? There are many other points that can be raised. The matter is not so simple as to be interpreted in terms of manly love and desire for women. It calls for a serious and honest consideration.

Reviewing the marriages of Muhammad individually one does not fail to find the actual reasons behind these marriages. They may be classified as follows:

The Prophet came to the world as an ideal model for mankind, and so he was in all aspects of his life. Marriage in particular is a striking illustration. He was the kindest husband, the most loving and cherishable partner. He had to undertake all stages of human experience and moral test, He lived with one wife and with more than one, with the old and the young, with the widow and the divorcee, with the pleasant, and the temperamental, with the renowned and the humble; but in all cases he was the pattern of kindness and consolation. He was designated to experience all these variant aspects of human behavior. For him this could not have been a physical pleasure; it was a moral trial as well as a human task, and a hard one, too.
The Prophet came to establish morality and assure every Muslim of security, protection, moral integrity and a decent life. His mission was put to the test in his life and did not stay in the stationary form of theory. As usual, he took the hardest part and did his share in the most inconvenient manner. Wars and persecutions burdened the Muslims with many widows, orphans and divorcees. They had to be protected and maintained by the surviving Muslim men. It was his practice to help these women get resettled by marriage to his companions. Some women were rejected by the companions and some others sought his personal patronage and protection. Realizing fully their conditions and sacrifices for the cause of Islam, he had to do something to relieve them. One course of relief was to take them as his own wives and accept the challenge of heavy liabilities. So he did and maintained more than one wife at a time which was no fun or easy course. He had to take part in the rehabilitation of those widows, orphans and divorcees because he could not ask his companions to do things which he himself was not prepared to do or participate in. These women were trusts of the Muslims and had to be kept jointly. What he did, then, was his share of responsibility, and as always his share was the largest and heaviest. That is why he had more than one wife, and had, more wives than any of his companions.
There were many war prisoners captured by the Muslims and entitled to security and protection. They were not killed or denied any right, human or physical. On the contrary, they were helped to settle down through legal marriages to Muslims, instead of being taken as concubines and common mistresses. That also was another moral burden on the Muslims and had to be shouldered jointly as a common responsibility. Here, again, Muhammad carried his share and took some responsibilities by marrying two of those captives.
The Prophet contracted some of his marriages for sociopolitical reasons. His principal concern was the future of Islam. He was most interested in strengthening the Muslims by all bonds. That is why he married the minor daughter of Abu Bakr, his First Successor, and the daughter of Umar, his Second Successor. It was by his marriage to Juwairiah that he gained the support for Islam of the whole clan of Bani al-Mustaliq and their allied tribes. It was through marriage to Safiyah that he neutralized a great section of the hostile Jews of Arabia. By accepting Mary the Copt from Egypt as his wife, he formed a political alliance with a king of great magnitude. It was also a gesture of friendship with a neighboring king that Muhammad married Zaynab who was presented to him by the Negus of Abyssinia in whose territory the early Muslims found safe refuge.
By contracting most of these marriages, the Prophet meant to eliminate the caste system, the racial and national vanities, and the religious prejudices. He married some of the humblest and poorest women. He married a Coptic girl from Egypt, a Jewess of a different religion and race, a negro girl from Abyssinia. He was not satisfied by merely teaching brotherhood and equality but he meant what he taught and put it into practice.
6. Some of the Prophet’s marriages were for legislative reasons and to abolish certain corrupt traditions. Such was his marriage to Zaynab, divorcee of the freed slave Zaid. Before Islam, the Arabs did not allow divorcees to remarry. Zaid was adopted by Muhammad and called his son as was the custom among the Arabs before Islam. But Islam abrogated this custom and disapproved its practice. Muhammad was the first man to express this disapproved in a practical way. So he married the divorcee of his "adopted" son to show that adoption does not really make the adopted child a real son of the adopting father and also to show that marriage Is lawful for divorcees, Incidentally, this very Zaynab was Muhammad’s cousin, and had been offered to him for marriage before she was

taken by Zaid. He refused her then, but after she was divorced he accepted her for the two legislative purposes: the lawful marriage of divorcees and the real status of adopted children. The story of this Zaynab has been associated in some minds with ridiculous fabrications as regards the moral integrity of Muhammad. The-se vicious fabrications are not even worth considering here (see Qur’an, 33:36, 37, 40).

These are the circumstances accompanying the Prophet’s marriages. For the Muslims there is no doubt whatsoever that Muhammad had the highest standards of morality and was the perfect model for man under all circumstances. To non-Muslims we appeal for a serious discussion of the matter. They, then, may be able to reach sound conclusions.

---------------------------------------------------


I hope i have helped you and others in some way and plz do correct me anyone, for i am only a human.

Take CarE

SadiQ!!

[sure786]

Dear Tita:

Further more to the links, and information given by others, perhaps for me the best explanations can be found in late Muhammad Husayn Haykal's book "The Life of Muhammad".

The matter of marriages of the Prophet (pbuh) and who were the Mothers of Believers are well explained principally for non-Muslims. You may read the chapter of the book at:

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/MH_LM/prophets_wives.htm

I wish you a good reading, and hopefully you may find the the importance of these marriages for the Muslims.

sure

[JaLaaL]

About the life of Aisha:
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/aishah_bint_abi_bakr.htm

About the life of the Companions of the Prophet:
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/default.htm

[seekeroftruth]

Salam to all!

Sorry to bring this topic or thread up again, but i was browsing the islamonline.net fatwa section, and recently they were asked the similar question regarding what tita asked about aisha.

I hope this is not causing more friction on my part, but i just want everyone to read upon this issue too.

This is the following from islamonline.net fatwa section;

--------------------------------

DIRECT LINK; http://www.islamonline.net/fatwaapplication/english/display.asp?hFatwaID=63495

>>>

Name Ahmad -
Title Addressing Misconceptions about Prophet’s Marriage to `Aisha

Question Dear scholars, thanks for your efforts in educating people about Islam. But would you help us address the misconceptions filling the mind of some people, especially the Westerners about the Prophet’s marriage to `Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, as they claim it to be a sign of child abuse?

Date 9/Feb/2002

Mufti Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All thanks and praise are due to Allah and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.



Dear questioner, we would like to express our deep gratitude for the great confidence you have in us and hope our humble efforts meet your great expectations. We also admire the great interest you show in understanding the teachings of this great religion of Islam.



As regard your question, we’d like to make it clear in the very beginning that Prophet’s marriage to `Aisha, the Mother of the Faithful, has always been a subject of attack and criticism by the enemies of Islam. First of all, we want to clarify to people who view this marriage as some sort of brutal act and child abuse that they should try to understand the main purpose of this marriage and the condition of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, before the marriage.



As for the purpose of this marriage, it was purely for sociopolitical reason. The Prophet’s main concern was the future of Islam. He was interested in strengthening the Muslims by all bonds. This also explained the reason why he married the daughter of `Umar, his Second Successor. It was by his marriage to Juwayriyyah that he gained the support for Islam of the whole clan of Bani Al-Mustaliq and their allied tribes. It was through marriage to Safiyyah that he neutralized a great section of the hostile Jews of Arabia. By accepting Mariya, the Copt from Egypt, as his wife, he formed a political alliance with a king of great magnitude. So his marriage to `Aisha could never be of anything save cementing his relation with Abu Bakr, `Aisha’s father.



As for the Prophet’s condition before this marriage, it clearly explained what we’ve said that it was a purely sublime aim and purpose that motivated him to marry `Aisha. That’s why the marriage was not consummated until sometime after the emigration to Madinah, when she had reached maturity. The motives of this marriage can be understood to be anything except passion and physical attraction. However, he lived with her, in addition to Sawdah, for five to six years, when he was 56 years of age, without taking any other wife.



One important point we have to clarify here is that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when proposing to `Aisha, was not the first suitor, for, according to many historians, Jubair ibn Mut`am proposed to her before the Prophet, peace and blessings for him. This gives an indication that `Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was mature enough for marriage at that age.



Giving more details on this issue, Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, deputy chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states the following:



Firstly, Prophet’s proposal to `Aisha came through a suggestion made by Khawalh bint Hakim as a sign of strengthening the relation with his Companion Abu Bakr and confirming his love for him.



Secondly, the fact that `Aisha, before the Prophet proposed to her, was being pursued by Jubair ibn Mut`am, indicates that she was enough mature for marriage, according to the prevailing tradition at that time, if not, the Quraish people, who would never waste any chance of insulting the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would have found this marriage as a golden opportunity of pouring insults on him. Rather they found nothing wrong in this engagement, and they received the news of the Prophet’s proposal for `Aisha as something usual, and even, expected.



`Aisha was not the first case, for many girls married at her same age to men who were at their fathers’ age. Hala, the cousin of Amina bint Wahb was married to Abdul-Muttalib on the same day his son `Abdullah married Aminah bint Wahb who was at Hala’s same age. Also, the Companion `Umar ibn Al-Khattab married the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor his face, while he was at her grandpa’s age.



After the passage of many centuries, we find now some Orientalists who try to strike a comparison between the conditions of our present time and what was existing 1400 years ago. They are trying to apply the criterions of the Western society to that society that existed in the Arabian Peninsula very long ago.



It should be noted that in the hot regions, it’s normal for a girl to attain maturity at a very early age. Thus the case is totally different from that which does exist in the cold regions where a girl does not attain puberty before 21. At all rates, it should be stressed that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, on marrying `Aisha, never aimed at fulfilling a lust or satisfying a desire; rather, his aim was to strengthen his relation with the most beloved Companion of his.



Had it been true that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, aimed at fulfilling a lust or satisfying a desire, he would have done this while still in his youth when he was still free from the responsibilities of delivering Allah’s call. At his early age, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, accepted to marry Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, who was 15 years older than him. He also never married a new wife until after her death. Even after her passing away, his new wife Sawdah bint Zam`ah was an old-aged widow who possessed no particular appealing qualities. This adds to our certainty that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had many great lofty aims behind his marriages. Also, when Khawlah bint Hakim suggested `Aisha for him, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, thought thoroughly whether to accept or to refuse. He took into consideration his relation with Abu Bakr.



When `Aisha reached the Prophet’s house, Sawdah gave her the first place and took care of her till her death.. Afterwards, `Aisha remained a faithful wife to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; her 10 years of marriage were of the life of a fully dedicated disciple, trainee and scholarly student with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. She was the source of knowledge for almost every Companion. She was of the main sources for revealing knowledge and information of the private life of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. She was a big celebrity in politics and the best example of generosity.



The Prophet’s love for `Aisha was a sign of his love for her father. On being asked about the dearest person to his heart, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned `Aisha. Then, on being asked about the dearest man to him and he, peace and blessings be upon him, mentioned her father, Abu Bakr.



Almighty Allah knows best.


--------------------------------

I hope this helps in someway, and for a matter of fact, it was answered yesterday, mashallah!

sadiQ!

[Lulua]

Assalaamu alaikum ya muslimeen.

Greetings and good day to all.

MashaAllah, the scholars have so eloquently and correctly answered this major question. But I would like to add some simple insight into this, in respect to a question that Tita has raised.

Tita...you have asked why was it that the prophet(SAAW) had to marry Aisha at such a young and tender age...why couldn't he have waited until she was an adult for the marriage, or the consummation?

Well, let me backtrack a moment to remind and inform you that as muslims, we believe that the prophet's(SAAW) whole life was inspired. Perhaps not every word that he uttered was in fact the dictation of the word of God (as is the Quran itself)...but rather his whole life, what he did or didn't do, what he said, and how he interacted with others was due to the inspiration that he received.

He had viewed Aisha previously in a dream, and was informed that this was to be his wife. It later turned out to be such. As well, it has been pointed out the important political aspect of all of his marriages, of strengthening ties between him and others, and therefore strengthening the ties between others as well.

Your question Tita, about why didn't he wait until Aisha was older...should also be looked into from this aspect...because Aisha, after having been married to the prophet(SAAW) at 9...and living with him for 10 years until his death, that would put her at 18-19 years at the time of his death...perhaps 20 at the most. In today's common terms of adult-hood, that is only the entrance into adulthood, as well as it is the common BEGINNING marrying age of acceptance (although there are many marrying younger, still this is the common beginning age of marriage status). That would mean...that if he had waited until this time to marry her...all that time would have passed, and he would have been dead or near dead before marrying her.

Aisha is quoted with a very large portion of relaying hadith...and so many of those hadith which others have not relayed as well (hadith which are not repetitive among other companions). If this had been the case, then all that important aspect of Islam would have been lost.

In examining the physical aspect of their marriage, you will also note that respectfully, she handled it. I mean...there was apparently no physical nor mental damage upon her because of this marriage, as the opposers of this marriage, claiming that she was only a child...and therefore damaging to her either physically or emotionally for marrying too young.

Also, you may note, again, repeated from the answers already given by the respected scholars...that Aisha had already been promised in engagement to another man before the proposal of Mohammed(SAAW)...and so she was to be married one way or the other...either to that man, or to Mohammed(SAAW), or another...as was the common practice of that time.

This is something that I have noticed is hard for most Christians to grasp. Actually, I come from a Christian background myself, and I find it not hard to grasp. Even though the muslims do not question the fact that Jesus remained unmarried, whereas all other prophets did marry. What about Jesus' mother, Mary? Has anyone ever considered her probable age at the conception and birth of Jesus? I have read reports that reveal that she was no older than perhaps Aisha was at the time of her marriage...and yet here she was, pregnant with child, and giving birth.

I have noticed and learned of late that there are many things that we are doing in our lives, and assuming things that are going against our God-given natures. (Eating, for instance, our intake of food...the kind and times and amounts is one main example of this...but not truly belonging in a religious forum) And this is perhaps another of those things. It is a natural occurance in all living things (if you will study animals, for instance) that as soon as a creature reaches sexual maturity, it begins to cohabitate, and reproduce. So the same should be with mankind. It is only something that has evolved, perhaps, with the advent of the 'technological age' or even the 'industrial age', that man has begun to have the understanding (or perhaps misunderstanding) to not allow cohabitation (and therefore reproduction) along with the age of sexual maturation...but rather at a much later stage. I am wondering...are we really benefitting ourselves and nature with this method? Or are we be detrimental with it?

There is a terribly high occurance in many areas of the world, the more 'developed nations' included, of youngsters involved in pre-marital sexual relations. Causing a terribly high increase in sexually transmitted diseases, as well as out-of-marriage pregnancies and births, only adding to the many problems of those societies, creating more burdens upon the social help associations, as well as the individuals themselves. Perhaps a system, similar to Islam, which would enforce marriage for any sexual relations, would be an answer. I believe that Islam does have the answer...but it would require people becoming muslims.

You see, each individual is different, and has different desires and different needs. But to enable and allow and even encourage the younger ones to marry when they are ready and willing and needing that marriage, would perhaps help to eliminate those terrible occurances which are only creating burdens on society.

Whew...this is surely developing into something much more than what it started out to be. Sorry for getting a bit off...but it is all truly related.

Lulua.

[Tita]

Hi Lulua,

>In examining the physical aspect of
>their marriage, you will also
>note that respectfully, she handled
>it. I mean...there was apparently
>no physical nor mental damage
>upon her because of this
>marriage, as the opposers of
>this marriage, claiming that she
>was only a child...and therefore
>damaging to her either physically
>or emotionally for marrying too
>young.
>
>Also, you may note, again, repeated
>from the answers already given
>by the respected scholars...that Aisha
>had already been promised in
>engagement to another man before
>the proposal of Mohammed(SAAW)...and so
>she was to be married
>one way or the other...either
>to that man, or to
>Mohammed(SAAW), or another...as was the
>common practice of that time.

I appreciate everyone here taking the time to answer this question of mine so thoroughly, and I continue to learn a lot from this site.
>
>
>This is something that I have
>noticed is hard for most
>Christians to grasp. Actually, I
>come from a Christian background
>myself, and I find it
>not hard to grasp. Even
>though the muslims do not
>question the fact that Jesus
>remained unmarried, whereas all other
>prophets did marry. What about
>Jesus' mother, Mary? Has anyone
>ever considered her probable age
>at the conception and birth
>of Jesus? I have read
>reports that reveal that she
>was no older than perhaps
>Aisha was at the time
>of her marriage...and yet here
>she was, pregnant with child,
>and giving birth.

As I understand it, the custom of her time was to marry a daughter off as soon as she "became a woman", that is, began menstruation. That would place her, probably, at about 13 or 14. While I don't recommend anyone getting married at 13 or 14, that was the custom of the day and (according to our beliefs) the Lord worked with it, so to speak.
>
>I have noticed and learned of
>late that there are many
>things that we are doing
>in our lives, and assuming
>things that are going against
>our God-given natures. (Eating, for
>instance, our intake of food...the
>kind and times and amounts
>is one main example of
>this...but not truly belonging in
>a religious forum) And this
>is perhaps another of those
>things. It is a natural
>occurance in all living things
>(if you will study animals,
>for instance) that as soon
>as a creature reaches sexual
>maturity, it begins to cohabitate,
>and reproduce. So the same
>should be with mankind. It
>is only something that has
>evolved, perhaps, with the advent
>of the 'technological age' or
>even the 'industrial age', that
>man has begun to have
>the understanding (or perhaps misunderstanding)
>to not allow cohabitation (and
>therefore reproduction) along with the
>age of sexual maturation...but rather
>at a much later stage.

But people are not animals, and should not have their behavior compared to that of animals. Most animals take more than one mate during their lifetime, and some take many mates at once. They have no judgment, no conscience, and no morals. Humans do (or should). Just because animals do it, doesn't mean we should too.

>I am wondering...are we really
>benefitting ourselves and nature with
>this method? Or are we
>be detrimental with it?

Men, of course, can reproduce at just about any age without too much problem and with no risk to themselves. After all, they don't carry the baby! But young women who become pregnant typically have a much higher rate of complications for themselves and the child. The safest and healthiest years for childbearing are in the 20's and 30's.
>
>There is a terribly high occurance
>in many areas of the
>world, the more 'developed nations'
>included, of youngsters involved in
>pre-marital sexual relations. Causing a
>terribly high increase in sexually
>transmitted diseases, as well as
>out-of-marriage pregnancies and births, only
>adding to the many problems
>of those societies, creating more
>burdens upon the social help
>associations, as well as the
>individuals themselves.

Yes, this problem is widespread now, but it wasn't always so. Just two generations ago in the U.S. pre-marital sex was a shameful thing, and the rate of out of wedlock births was negligible.

Perhaps a system,
>similar to Islam, which would
>enforce marriage for any sexual
>relations, would be an answer.
>I believe that Islam does
>have the answer...but it would
>require people becoming muslims.

Or any system of belief that enforced marriage before sex, required chaperoning at all times, and attached a great deal of shame to illegitimate births.
>
>You see, each individual is different,
>and has different desires and
>different needs. But to enable
>and allow and even encourage
>the younger ones to marry
>when they are ready and
>willing and needing that marriage,
>would perhaps help to eliminate
>those terrible occurances which are
>only creating burdens on society.

Just because someone is physically ready, they are not necessarily emotionally ready or mature enough to handle the responsibilities of marriage. Marriage is hard work! It's also enjoyable, uplifting, and a bunch of other good things, but it takes hard work and maturity to make it work.
>
>
>Whew...this is surely developing into something
>much more than what it
>started out to be. Sorry
>for getting a bit off...but
>it is all truly related.

Nah. . . this is just getting good! :-)

Tita

P.S. Want to really start a good topic? I believe that polygamy should be legal in the U.S., as long as all the participants are adults.

[Lulua]

Hi, Tita.

Well, you are surely right...that this is developing into some interesting.

And, if you are interested in the polygamy issue, then perhaps you should start up another thread. Surely, even in strictly muslim circles, even though it is something divinely permitted in Islam, it is still a greatly controversial issue. Please do feel free to begin such a thread. Will be most happy and willing to participate with you there, inshaAllah.

Now, in reference to the ongoing discussion..and in retrospect of my previous indication to man's inclination of sexual relations being similar to that of animals. Although there are great differences between mankind and animals, still there are great similarities, as well. And, although mankind has the faculty of reason and judgement, whereas animals most generally do not, still there is a great similarity in many ways between them. One point in question is that mankind as well, as is the case of many animals, do not generally remain with only one mate. That is to be proven by human nature (if you will study mankind and social studies as a rule)...as well as it is supported by the polygamy issue. As well, there are many animals in the animal kingdom which after initially choosing a mate, do remain with that one single mate for life. One of the greater birds of prey (sorry, the exact name simply slips my mind at the moment) is a typical example of this. Interesting, really.

Now...to get back to the issue of prophet Mohammed(SAAW) and Aisha(ARA)...respectfully, truly not to compare them to the animals...but rather only raising the point of similarities between man and animals. Simply to raise the point of the ideal that it is best to follow the directives of nature, as well as the common socially accepted practice of the time/place. In comparison to the records of the time involved, Mohammed's(SAAW) marriage to Aisha was surely nothing out of the ordinary. As well, as I mentioned before...there is no evidence whatsoever that Aisha herself did not properly handle whatever came her way as far as the husband-wife relation is concerned, or the marriage. Perhaps it would serve to say that in that day and age, that people, or children rather, grew up quickly, or attained a stage of mental stability and approachment to adulthood much earlier than today...and therefore were more better inclined to be able to comprehend and contemplate a marital arrangement or marital relation at a much earlier stage in life.

As well, please do refer to my point in question of the possible loss of great collections of knowledge, had such a marriage (i.e. Mohammed(SAAW) and Aisha's) been put off until later. If such had been the case, there would have been no marriage, waiting for a later age to come along, and then there would have been no interaction between Mohammed(SAAW) and Aisha(ARA) for her (i.e. Aisha) to even later relate by her memory of her life with him (i.e. Mohammed(SAAW)). Hope that this roundabout answer makes even the slightest bit of sense to you.

Lulua.

[Tita]

Don't worry, it makes sense. I'm not saying that I agree with it, mind you, just that I understand what you're saying.

An interesting sidelight to this: do you believe in evolution, or in creation? I know where most Christians stand on this, but I have no idea what Islam teaches about it.

I'm off to start the polygamy thread. :-) I actually discussed this on my own web site once before, www.delphiforums.com/Friction2. You are certainly free to go to that board any time to see what I've written about it there. Most of the board would probably bore you, however, as it is basically a discussion of American culture and politics from a conservative standpoint.

Peace to you,
Tita