# According to Traditional and Mainstream Islamic Source, the Prophet Muhammad Raped a Child **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 7, 2013, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112 "2013-04-07T23:30:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/241 "2013-04-17T10:23:27Z")
There is a mistake in the [religioustolerance.org](http://religioustolerance.org) page, the practise of FGM is **not** prevalent in the North Africa, [it is prevalent in Egypt, and the Nile valley mostly,](http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/) as any slight researches show, it is not done in the rest of North Africa, in the Maghreb where it is considered an Egyptian 3ada that is not even sunnah and something unislamic (although sadly certain hateful salafiste Egyptian preachers since their revolution have tried to promote their own jahiliya as sunnah in the Maghreb, but this hateful effort is being rejected). In fact, although those who have the interest in only religious bigotries will avoid the information to use this as a cane to support a false face on bigotries, [there is no close association with the Islam with this practice](http://girlsglobe.org/2012/03/10/mapping-fgmc/), it is something practised in a geographic area that is the S[ahel and the Nile Valley and the North East Africa.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_female_genital_mutilation_by_country) [A detailed discussion is from this UN report](http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/FGM-C_final_10_October.pdf). Maybe we can say the zone of the cattle herding peoples of ancient times, but as it is practices by the Christians, by the Muslims and the pagans. It is most clearly an ancient practise that has no relationship in origin with the religions of Abraham. It is no matter, like in all other discussions, this false information like other false and partial informations will be repeated in false sympthy for Muslim women, but it is only a mask being exploited. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/242 "2013-04-17T10:36:33Z")
[Since when did Ethiopia cease being part of North Africa?](http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ethiopia_34881.html) Looks to me like post #241 is false information. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/243 "2013-04-17T10:39:30Z")
Eithiopia in our consdirations is not North Africa in the geographies that I took in University, it is East Africa, in the Sahel. But it you wish to call it North Africa, it does not change that the greatest extent of the North Africa, the Maghreb has no such practises. There is no “false informations” I am the only one who has bother to give you any maps and data, instead of people making empty assertions. Before saying such things you should look at the actual informations and the maps. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/244 "2013-04-17T10:46:55Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > [Since when did Ethiopia cease being part of North Africa?](http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ethiopia_34881.html) > > Looks to me like post #241 is false information. Actually I see that the English wikipedia, which I think must reflect the common anglophone definitions of the geographic zones shows indeed the definition which I have from my university studies is similar: [North Africa - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Africa) and so there is no false information or error. So your comment is false. If you wish to make a small criticism that is pedantic, you can criticise for me not saying the Sudan in that same sentence, although I do not think of the Sudan as part of the North Africa region, but of the Sahel. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/245 "2013-04-17T11:17:17Z")
And off we go to the Wild Scotsman territory! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/246 "2013-04-17T11:26:04Z")
By the way, I’m not disagreeing that FGM isn’t an Islamic practice. I’m just saying that it is practiced in a number of places, both by Muslims and non-Muslims. As for my assertion just above, I think I should’ve said “parts of Ethiopia and Eritrea.” But that’s just a quibble, as you said. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/247 "2013-04-17T11:38:02Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > And off we go to the Wild Scotsman territory! I do not understand this. What do scotsmen have anything to do with this? if this is some connection with the English phrase no true scotmens, you are entirely wrong. The common geographic definition of the North Africa does not include the Eithiopia, I have never seen in my memory such a definition, although perhaps american medias make such a confusion since they have no geographical training and do not care for Africa. how this can be no true scotmens makes no sense to me. you were wrong about the geography, instead of making assertions about logical errors if I understand this, you should apologise for the error that is entirely yours since my comment that you replied to made the precise location reference \*“it is something practised in a geographic area that is the S[ahel and the Nile Valley and the North East Africa.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_female_genital_mutilation_by_country)” \* ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/248 "2013-04-17T14:55:24Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > I do not understand this. What do scotsmen have anything to do with this? It is a reference to the [No True Scotsman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman) fallacy. However, rather than a "No True Scotsman, I suspect that we simply had people from different linguistic and educational traditions identifying adjacent locations with different words. In fact, both of you agree that the practice of FGM occurs in roughly the same part of the world (whatever name one gives it), and both of you agree that it is a cultural practice that predates and is not supported by any of the major world religions. You also agree that it is practiced (without religious support) by both Muslims and Christians (in contrast to Enuma Elish who kicked off this tangent with his odd claim that FGM was not practiced by Christians). So, this matter appears to be settled and we should be able to set it aside and not continue this hijack/off-topic discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/249 "2013-04-17T15:19:56Z")
^Yes. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/250 "2013-04-17T18:35:09Z")
[OxfordIslamicStudies.com on The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad:](http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t243/e332) > [@](#): > > Since pre-Islamic times, the Arabic word sunnah has referred to a body of established customs and beliefs that make up a tradition. In Muslim legal and religious thought, the term became associated more specifically with the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Inspired by God to act wisely and in accordance with his will, Muhammad provided an example that complements God’s revelation as expressed in the Qur’an. His actions and sayings became a model for Muslim conduct as well as a primary source of Islamic law. > > Because early Muslim teachings were transmitted orally, some disagreement arose about the basis of the sunnah. Scholars studied the various hadith, reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad, to develop a comprehensive, authentic source. The competing explanations and definitions of the sunnah reflected the intellectual and ideological diversity of the early Muslim community. The concept of the sunnah, however, always remained important to the quest for meaning and certainty in Islamic practice and doctrine. [Sunnah.com: about Sahih al-Bukhari](http://sunnah.com/bukhari/about) > [@](#): > > Sahih al-Bukhari is a collection of hadith compiled by Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH/870 AD) (rahimahullah). His collection is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim world to be the most authentic collection of reports of the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (). [Sahih Bukhari 5:58:236](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/bukhari/058-sbt.php#005.058.236) > [@](#): > > Narrated Hisham’s father: Khadija died three years before the Prophet departed to Medina. He stayed there for two years or so and then he married 'Aisha when she was a girl of six years of age, and he consumed (sic – consummated) that marriage when she was nine years old. [Sahih Bukhari 7:62:64](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/bukhari/062-sbt.php#007.062.064) > [@](#): > > Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death). [Sahih Bukhari 7:62:65](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/bukhari/062-sbt.php#007.062.065) > [@](#): > > Narrated 'Aisha: that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old. Hisham said: I have been informed that ‘Aisha remained with the Prophet for nine years (i.e. till his death)." what you know of the Quran (by heart)’ [Sahih Bukhari 7:62:88](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/bukhari/062-sbt.php#007.062.088) > [@](#): > > Narrated 'Ursa: The Prophet 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). [Sunnah.com on Sahih Muslim:](http://sunnah.com/muslim) > [@](#): > > Sahih Muslim is a collection of hadith compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj al-Naysaburi (rahimahullah). His collection is considered to be one of the most authentic collections of the Sunnah of the Prophet (), and along with Sahih al-Bukhari forms the “Sahihain,” or the “Two Sahihs.” [Sahih Muslim 8:3311](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/muslim/008-smt.php#008.3311) > [@](#): > > 'A’isha reported that Allah’s Apostle married her when she was seven years old, and (s)he was taken to his house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her; and when he died she was eighteen years old. [Sunnah.org on Abu Dawud:](http://www.sunnah.org/history/Scholars/imam_abu_dawud.htm) > [@](#): > > Sunan Abu Dawud is an important collection of hadith: Most of the scholars have assigned it to third position among the six authentic books of hadith. It is only after the compilation of Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. [Abu Dawud 2:2116](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/abudawud/002-sat.php#002.2116) > [@](#): > > Aisha said, “The Apostle of Allah married me when I was seven years old.” (The narrator Sulaiman said: “Or six years.”). “He had intercourse with me when I was 9 years old.” [Abu Dawud 41:4915](http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/religious-texts/hadith/abudawud/041-sat.php#041.4915) > [@](#): > > Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) married me when I was seven or six. When we came to Medina, some women came. according to Bishr’s version: Umm Ruman came to me when I was swinging. They took me, made me prepared and decorated me. I was then brought to the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him), and he took up cohabitation with me when I was nine. She halted me at the door, and I burst into laughter. [Brittanica.com on Al-Tabari](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/579654/al-Tabari) > [@](#): > > al-Ṭabarī, in full Abū Jaʿfar Muḥammad ibn Jarīr al-Ṭabarī (born c. 839, Āmol, Ṭabaristān [Iran]—died 923, Baghdad, Iraq), Muslim scholar, author of enormous compendiums of early Islamic history and Qurʾānic exegesis, who made a distinct contribution to the consolidation of Sunni thought during the 9th century. He condensed the vast wealth of exegetical and historical erudition of the preceding generations of Muslim scholars and laid the foundations for both Qurʾānic and historical sciences. [Al-Tabari](http://www.nku.edu/~gartigw/teaching_files/Tabari%20on%20the%20Wives%20&%20Children%20of%20the%20Prophet%20Muhammad.pdf) (PDF) > [@](#): > > ÜA¯áishah states: ..My mother came to me while I was being swung on a swing between two branches and got me down. [1770] Jumaymah, my nurse, took over and wiped my face with some water and started leading me. When I was at the door, she stopped [131] so I could catch my breath. I was then brought [in] while the Messenger of God was sitting on a bed in our house. [My mother] made me sit on his lap and said, “These are your relatives. May God bless you with them and bless them with you!” Then the men and women got up and left. The Messenger of God consummated his marriage with me in my house when I was nine years old. Neither a camel nor a sheep was slaughtered on behalf of me. Only SaÜd b. ÜUba¯dah sent a bowl of food which he used to send to the Messenger of God [Al-Tabari, Vol. 7, p. 7](http://books.google.com/books?id=ctvk-fdtklYC) > [@](#): > > the Messenger of God married me when I was seven; my marriage was consummated when I was nine [Al-Tabari, Vol. 9, pp. 129-131](http://www.muslimhope.com/AishaNine.htm) > [@](#): > > ‘Aisha was 6 (or 7) years old when she was married, and the marriage was consummated when she was nine years old.’ Muhammad b. ‘Amr is one of the transmitters. [Al-Tabari, Vol. 39, pp. 171-173](http://www.backend.ai-deutschland.de/authors/silas/brown.html) > [@](#): > > The Prophet married ‘A’ishah in Shawwal in the tenth year after the [beginning of his] prophethood, three years before Emigration. He consummated the marriage in Shawwal, eight months after Emigration. On the day he consummated the marriage with her she was nine years old. 1. A nine year old child can not consent to sex with an adult. 2. According to traditional and mainstream Islamic sources, the Prophet Muhammad consumated his marriage to Aisha when she was nine years old. 3. According to traditional and mainstream Islamic sources, the Prophet Muhammad raped a child. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/251 "2013-05-02T14:45:30Z")
[Here is an article about a fun survey report](http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865579249/Muslims-worldwide-support-democracy-and-religious-freedom.html) that ought to offer a clue or few to certain posters in this thread. The headline reads: > [@](#): > > Muslims worldwide support democracy and religious freedom ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/252 "2013-05-02T15:56:05Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > [Here is an article about a fun survey report](http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865579249/Muslims-worldwide-support-democracy-and-religious-freedom.html) that ought to offer a clue or few to certain posters in this thread. The headline reads: Try reading the survey report instead of headlines made up by reporters. I have, and much of it is disquieting. The democracy preference? The other choice is a “Strong leader”. That says nothing. Religious freedom? The survey is unclear on who the respondents are(i.e the subset who want Sharia law or all Muslims - but in any case, very large proportions, 70-90%, want Sharia, so its not like that biases the responses too much), but substantial proportions of the respondents approve of the death penalty for leaving Islam. 62% in Malaysia. 76% in Pakistan. 18% in Indonesia. 86% in Egypt. 44% in Bangladesh. In 12 out of 21 countries, more than 10% of Muslims regard suicide bombing of civilians as a legitimate form of protest in the defence of Islam. This percentage is 18% in Malaysia, 13% in Pakistan(although many more of them seem ready to actually carry out the bombings), 26% in Bangladesh, 29% in Egypt, 15% in Turkey. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/253 "2013-05-02T16:01:03Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > [Here is an article about a fun survey report](http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865579249/Muslims-worldwide-support-democracy-and-religious-freedom.html) that ought to offer a clue or few to certain posters in this thread. The headline reads: Here’s another fun fact from the same article you linked: “according to surveys conducted after the Arab Spring that also found many Muslims want their religious code to be the law of the land.” “Democracy needs to be continually questioned in terms of its definition so that it is not just seen as a secular endeavor,” ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/254 "2013-05-02T16:31:27Z")
I did read the survey. I also understood it. You might consider trying that also. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/255 "2013-05-02T16:42:46Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I did read the survey. I also understood it. You might consider trying that also. Would you consider explaining the parts I highlighted so I can understand? ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/256 "2013-05-02T18:08:47Z")
[Here](http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Muslim/worlds-muslims-religion-politics-society-full-report.pdf) (PDF) is the survey. Pages 62 and 63 show the percentage of Muslims in various countries who think people of other religions are free to practice their faiths, and the percentage of those who think it is a good thing. Page 46 lists the percentage of Muslim respondents “who favor making Islamic law the official law in their country”, and page 55 shows the percentage of those who favor “taking the life of those who abandon Islam”. In Pakistan, for example, 75% of Muslims think that people of other faiths are free to practice ([um, what?](http://www.reviewofreligions.org/2364/state-sanctioned-denial-of-human-rights-by-the-government-of-pakistan/)), and 96% (or 72% cumulative) of those say this is a good thing. Also in Pakistan, 84% of Muslims “favor making Islamic law the official law in their country”, and 76% of those, or 64% of Muslims, favor “taking the life of those who abandon Islam”. > [@Monty](#): > > I did read the survey. I also understood it. Then can you explain how a majority of Muslims in some countries can somehow support religious freedom, while a majority of Muslims in those same countries support killing someone for converting away from Islam? ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/257 "2013-05-02T19:38:16Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > Then can you explain how a majority of Muslims in some countries can somehow support religious freedom, while a majority of Muslims in those same countries support killing someone for converting away from Islam? No, he/she seems to specialise in casting aspersions on other posters and then refusing to back them up. Did it to me in this thread twice already. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/258 "2013-05-02T20:21:59Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > You mean Muslims can’t agree on what parts are authentic? > That’s some Holy Book you got there. I thought it was regarded as THE Word Of Allah, no doubts about it. > As in, Allah guided those who wrote the words. Because ALL Christians are in agreement on the authentic parts of the Bible :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/259 "2015-11-07T21:41:15Z")
[Islamic Advisory Council in Pakistan Says Girls Should Be Permitted to Marry at Any Age](http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/03/14/islamic-advisory-council-in-pakistan-says-girls-should-be-permitted-to-marry-at-any-age/) > [@](#): > > The prophet Mohammed famously married a six- or seven-year-old, Aisha, and consummated the marriage when the girl was nine or ten. > Even Muslim theocracies can’t get away with that kind of child rape anymore, so they’ve made concessions to modernity and raised the marriageable age of girls. In Pakistan, it’s officially 16 — but many of the nation’s top clerics now say that’s an un-Islamic innovation that ought to be reversed. > They want no marriageable age set by law. None. > [@](#): > > [The Council of Islamic Ideology](http://cii.gov.pk/) is a constitutional body that advises the legislature whether or not a certain law is repugnant to Islam, namely to the Qur’an and Sunna. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112/260 "2015-11-07T22:01:10Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > So, newsflash, people in previous centuries did shit that would really sicken a modern person. That’s why we shouldn’t follow their moral teachings or their musings on the origin of the universe. Hmm, I have to take issue with that. Are you saying that if Einstein was a kiddy diddler we should pay no attention to his theories of relativity? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112.md?page=14)