Why Did Muhammad Keep his Nine Wives?

1. 32

   Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years ago

   This question is very important as it touches a very sensitive issue that has always been the favorite misconception, through which Orientalists propagate against Islam. They deal with this issue of the Prophets' nine marriages as though it were his Achilles heel! They contrast him with Jesus. Because Jesus was unmarried, he was considered chaste and wise (as we Muslims also believe him to be). But they portray Muhammad as a lustful womanizer who has nothing to do except to satisfy his fleshy desires. This is the repelling image that enemies of Islam often stress.
   
   The following facts, concerning his marriages could help her have a better understanding of the personality of that great man:
   
   1-This comparison between Jesus and Muhammad is unfair because being married is not a discredit to a prophet otherwise we are going to deny the prophet-hood of all the previous prophets of God. This is since Adam, passing through Abraham (two wives at one time), Noah, Isaac, Solomon, David (99 wives) Moses etc., and they were all wise, chaste, and reliable for delivering the divine message.
   
   
   2-Prophet Muhammad married this number at a time, when the norm of the place in which he lived (Arab Peninsula in the 7th century) allowed men to marry a much larger number than that, there was no legislation to prohibit this behavior yet.
   
   
   3-After that, the Divine order came to Muslims through the Qur’an, to restrict the number of their wives to a maximum of four. God said to them in the verse what means:
   
   
   *{If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, Marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.}* (Al-An`am 6: 3)
   
   On hearing this order, all who men who had more than four wives divorced them, in full submission to God's orders. The divorced wives - who accepted this divine decree with full satisfaction, implied by their deep faith - soon found other marriages and lead normal lives. Nevertheless, the Prophet - who had nine wives at the time the order was revealed - was exempted from this order in a later verse of Qur'an which gives the meaning of:
   
   *{O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers; ...}* (Al-Ahzab 33: 50)
   
   This exemption was because there was a prohibition in the Qur’an for any Muslim to marry the Prophet's wives once he died or divorced them:
   
   *{...Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy God's Apostle, or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in God's sight an enormity.}* (Al-Ahzab 33: 53)
   
   So, it was rather inhuman for his wives to be doomed to solitude and depravity all their lives. Thus he was exceptionally permitted to keep them.
   
   4-Looking at the circumstances, in which he married each wife, one finds that all those marriages were the furthest from being motivated simply by lust. The marriage to his first wife, Khadijah, was his only wife until she died after almost 20 years of marriage. This marriage to Khadijah covered the years of his youth. Despite the fact that these years were supposed to be the peak of his sexual demand, he did not think of taking any other wife together with her.
   
   
   
   The rest of his wives - whom he married after her death - came at a time when he was nearly 50! Exhausted in spreading the new religion, mostly chased by the infidels and where attempts at taking his life were frequent, I, personally, don't think that this was a romantic atmosphere for anybody to go on amorous adventures!
   
   5-Most of his wives whom he took after the death of Khadijah were old in age, devoid of beauty and were formerly married - except `A'ishah, who was the only one who was young and a virgin. This is despite the fact that he was always the target of many believing ladies, who came offering themselves to him in marriage, but then he politely apologized to them.
   
   6-Every one of these marriages was for a reason; either political to make alliance with other tribes, or human to sustain a widow of a martyr or to honor a lady whom no body wanted to marry… etc. It was not reported that he married them out of carnal desires.
   
   
   7-He was a model example of justice and kindness to them all regardless of his neutral feelings towards many of them, he would never discriminate among them or reveal the special feelings he had for `A'ishah rather than the others.

   report
   1. 58

      Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The misogynist mindset has more to do with controlling others as opposed to satisfying 'fleshy desires'. Muhammad simply took this mindset to a new level to have its basis ground in religious doctrine making it a god given right.
      
      
      
      Exactly. Muhammad took advantage of that behavior just like everyone else.
      
      
      
      As you can see, Muhammad decided to encapsulate the misogynist mindset and make it a god given right to control others.
      
      
      
      Of course he was exempt. Every despot and dictator always exempt themselves from their own laws and rules.
      
      
      
      Of course, Muhammad was a selfish despot who didn't want anyone else having his women as this would make him look completely foolish and weak.
      
      
      
      Notice how easy it was for Muhammad to create this contradiction.
      
      
      
      Of course, no one ever cared what the women wanted.
      
      
      
      Exhausted from conquering and murdering millions.
      
      
      
      Yes, if you're not a Muslim, you must be an evil infidel.
      
      
      
      In other words, Muhammad was infatuated with little girls.
      
      
      
      Yes, why would a despot ever report such a thing?
      
      
      
      Obviously, since you claim he never revealed his special feelings he had for young girls, and you are here to tell us all about it, someone must have revealed it.

      report
2. 67

   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   I think he had 9 wives because 10 would have been just waaaay too greedy

   report
3. 77

   skyfireposted 14 years ago

   Who cares whether he kept or not. As far as i know we don't get paid for religious BS on content network.

   report
4. 61

   skipper112posted 14 years ago

   sorry a 50+ male and a six year old girl then sex at nine,  that is not a kind man , just a pederphile pure and simple.If he did that in any decent society he will be put in jail were he belongs, any comments? Sorry but the thought of sex with a nine year GIRL makes me sick. No decent or honorable man would do that. Any body disagree?
   
   Off course Mohammed was excempt from haveing only 4 wives, he was a special case, and the only reason a 50+ male wants a CHILD 4 sex at 9 yearsd old is because he is sick in the head, pure and simple.
   
   Yet you still say Mohammed was a prophet from God I'm glad he is not a Prophet from my God PERIOD

   report
   1. 32

      Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      How do you explain the marriage of Prophet Mohammed to Aisha at nine?
      
      I wanted to start with an answer that Mujahid from Kings College, Guys Campus gave. It went something like this:
      
      Mujahid : "What you say about some one who married or had sexual intercourse with a sixteen year old girl who had not yet reached maturity/puberty?”
      
      Questioners response : “Well the law says that’s ok, but I have to admit that I don’t think that’s right...”
      
      Mujahid : “Exactly! The issue is not age, is maturity. If a nine year old girl has reached puberty and is mature then what is the problem?”
      
      The reason I liked this response is because it answers a question with a question. This is a good way to provoke thought. Often the question (as in this very example) forces the questioner to answer his/her own question within the response.
      
      Another benefit that is that Islam appears simple and clear and obvious enough for that person to understand themselves.
      
      My traditional response is to mention the same point about maturity. What is important here is not some random age, but the state of physical and mental maturity. It is well known that humans in hot countries mature much faster that in colder climates. During some research on this very issue I discovered that the earliest recorded pregnancy was and eight year old girl in South America!
      
      Aisha was therefore mature enough for this marriage. Reversing the question in this way was a stroke of genius, mashallah!
      
      These are some other issues that could be mentioned:
      
      Firstly: It was Allah who ordered the marriage of Aisha to the Prophet. That of course, takes us right back to the main issue that we talked about in the seminar about how to stop going round in circles. The one answer that answers all the questions!
      
      Secondly: By marrying the Prophet at such a young age Aisha was raised, nurtured and imbibed with knowledge of Islam. It is a fact that she became one of this religions greatest Scholars.
      
      Thirdly: Surely any objection to such a young marriage can only be made if can be shown that some harm was caused because of it. In fact all evidence points to the opposite in the case of this marriage which was so clearly full of love and happiness.
      
      Fourthly: According to ibn Sa’d (The Women of Madina ) Aisha was in fact already promised in marriage even before she was married to the Prophet. It shows that arranging marriages at young ages was quite normal.
      
      Fithly: AbuBakr, her father, was the one who asked the Prophet why he had not consummated the marriage with Aisha. (ibid)

      report
      1. 58

         Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The question does provoke thought. It begs the question regarding maturity and the fact that just because a nine year old girl might reach a certain point of physical maturity doesn't mean that girl has attained other forms of maturity. Even that, there are girls who do not reach the same level of physical maturity as some others.
         
         What's already been made clear is the mindset from which this type of thinking originates, that of the misogynist, who could care less for the simple basic human rights of others in their pursuit of control and power.
         
         
         
         Yes, only too clear and obvious, I'm afraid.
         
         
         
         A stroke of genius, yes, for the misogynist to make sure there are ample "stock" of females for breeding purposes and to see fit their maturity level at "eight years old" is all they'll ever need in life.
         
         
         
         Yeah, sure. That came from Muhammad, of course.
         
         
         
         No harm whatsoever, to Muhammad, of course.
         
         
         
         Is it surprising that a society based on misogyny arranges their woman's marriages?

         report
         1. 32

            Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            that was very normal in this society
            
            also
            
            she was engaged  from another man before she married Muhammad  which means its normal in that desert tough life

            report
            1. 77

               skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               and your point is ? just because it was normal during that time we should start practicing this now ? hypocrites. islamics oppose porn on one side and allow child abuse the other side.

               report
            2. 58

               Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Cannibalism too was normal in some societies.
               
               
               
               Yes, I'm sure the desert life puts a very demanding strain on men, so much they have to resort to molesting little girls to relieve the stress of tending herds and smoking hash all day.

               report
            3. 32

               Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Check this plz
               
                  named  A woman
               
               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvh9DEcVvw

               report
               1. 58

                  Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, thank you for presenting that video. It confirms my point of the misogynist mindset and how men control women, culturally and religiously.

                  report
                  1. 32

                     Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     In Islam No such control

                     report
                     1. 58

                        Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Yes. Read these:
                        
                        Sura 2:223
                        Sura 2:228
                        Sura 4:11
                        Sura 2:282
                        Sura 2:230
                        Sura 4:24
                        Sura 4:3
                        Sura 4:129
                        Sura 4:34
                        Sura 65:1, 4
                        
                        This last one allows men to marry prepubescent girls.

                        report
                        1. 32

                           Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           there is a big difference between Reading and Understanding
                           you may have read But I'm sure you didn't understand the meaning

                           report
                  2. 71

                     earnestshubposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     I watched it as well and came to the same conclusion as you.
                     
                     It confirms that women are subservient under Islam.

                     report
                     1. 61

                        Disappearingheadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        I got bored with the video, but it is clear that the reason women are told to cover up is because Arab men cannot control their willies.
                        
                        Western women do not feel threatened by men and do not believe for an instant that they will be molested by men if they do not cover up. That's because Western men have more respect for women than Arab men obviously.
                        
                        Women covering up in Islamic countries addresses the symptom of Arab male agressivness but does not deal with the problem. If Arab men respected women, there would be no need for them to cover up. Arab women have been sold a mysoginistic lie.

                        report
5. 77

   skyfireposted 14 years ago

   No wonder fanatic islamics treat womens like slaves. Girl reaches maturity at nine ? lol. How the F Muhammad verified that ?

   report
   1. 32

      Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Christians say  that Mary gave birth to Jesus when she was 12 years old

      report
      1. 32

         Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         and If you checked that
         
         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvh9DEcVvw
         
         you will know what is the situation of women in Islam

         report
         1. 61

            skipper112posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            give me refrences from the Bible, show chapter and verse that STATES Mary was 12 years old. PROVE YOUR STATEMENT
            
            starfire I was told by one muslin man that girls mature quicker in the heat of the desert, I also watched the vidio and it just proved that Muslim men must have control over their woman, because like their own words state if a woman is uncovered ( according to Islam) then the Muslim man cannot control them selfs. They ( muslim men have no control over their sexual urges) cannot see a woman uncovered it must drive them mad!!

            report
            1. 32

               Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               I'm not sure that Mary was 12 I WAS TOLD BY a Christian  and this doesn't mean that the information is true
               also there are more than one bible
               
               we respect women
               
               
               
               the Qur'an advises women to cover their "adornments" from strangers outside the family. In the traditional and modern Arab societies women at home dress quite differently compared to what they wear in the streets. In this verse of the Qur'an, it refers to the institution of a new public modesty rather than veiling the face.
               
               Please answer me
               
               1.virgin Mary was covered or not ?
               
               2.when Muslim girl is covered you say that she is not free or civilized
               and when a christian girl do the same you say that she is a nun and she dedicated her self to god .explain ?

               report
               1. 47

                  Sword of Fireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Too wise to want a tenth. Can you imagine 72 all pms ing at the same time? RUN!

                  report
               2. 58

                  Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  That isn't respect for women at all. Can you not see that?

                  report
                  1. 32

                     Son Of Hamzaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     ah
                     It depends on how you understand the meaning of RESPECT
                     
                     I love my wife because she is beautiful SOULED  and nice  not because she is hot
                     
                     WE deal with women as humans NOT as BODIES

                     report
      2. 77

         skyfireposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         So that makes mary mature ? or a person who reached puberty ?
         
         Do you understand the difference between maturity and reaching puberty ?

         report
6. 48

   manojsaiposted 14 years ago

   marriage of girls at very early age is very common in ancient societies. my grandmother had two children when she was 15 years. In  olden days  marriage of girls are fixed at 6-7 years  and taken to husband home on pubery.late marriage of girls are a insult to the girls family which society wont apprive. society were  male dominated and females were just instuments for child bearing and rearing . please dont forget that girls were well build at that time who  were involved in lot of household chore,walking miles to bring water etc unlike the little girls of today .There is a big difference in culture and age when momammed married at the age of nine and today. I think muslims of today should not try explain and give arguments to support mohammeds marriage to ayisha  .mohammed knows best and that is it.
   unfortunatly many muslims of today are not following the quran but following the immams and leaders,which is the reason why taliban is destroying schools for girls in pakistan.

   report
   1. 61

      skipper112posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      oh problem solved 'Girls were well built at 6-7 years by household chore's and walking' and also another muslim said that 'girls mature quicker in the desert heat' so do not try and explain Mohammeds actions because Mohammed knows best.'
      
      THAT IS THE BIGEST LOAD OF PURE CRAP EVER TO RUN FROM YOUR MOUTH.
      
      Any I supose you also 'RESPECT' woman, I have never ever in my life  heard of or seen a ''WELL BUILT' girl of 9 years of age. Even to state that a man must be so sick, it is time that man went into a padded room.!!
      
      and Muslims are following the Quran to day because the eirlier peacefull verse has been abercated by a later less peacefull verse.
      
      Also the Quran commands you to lie to any non beliver to further the cause of Islam.
      
      And the Talibian is true Muslims, ask them and they say they are TRUE followers of Islam. So again the Talibian proves what Islam thinks of woman.
      
      And you now say 'you were told by a unnamed Christian'  that Mary was 12 years old when Mary gave birth to Jesus. But you have no trouble repeating it as fact, then you change you mind and blame a ( SO CALLED) unnamed Christiam, when your words are challenged. Sorry but unless you can prove your words now, why should I belive what you say. Is it your words or ' another unnamed , person'!!

      report
      1. 48

         manojsaiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         hi skipper112 ..peace and love to you..
         I am rather sorry for you.
         you seems to have a rather poor upbringing,your lanquage is coarse and there is no refinement in you......growing up in the gutter  with crude parents has robbed you of all the love and finess that this nature has to offer.
         hear this song.it may help to rekindle some fineness in you...
         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1lTXhXTasA

         report
7. 52

   irfcelposted 14 years ago

   This marriage issue has two aspects : Cultural and Religious. Firstly let's make distinction between RELIGIOUS and CULTURAL.
   
   It's better to have a start with CULTURAL.
   
   e.g. when you ask to an Eskimo "How far is ...?" s/he would say "half a day's travel" but an American man would reply "10 miles" and an European "15 kms" to the same question. Each would give explanations for their answers and if they don't have any other engagements (such as lying for some self-reasons or insulting others) all those explanations are welcomed and such diversities are accepted as CULTURAL. But when they want to make the others accept his form (of saying), the ropes will probably break and no explanation will be accepted. In short, people who try to put their own cultural behaviors and postulates (forms) into logic of OTHERs usually find difficulty in doing this, because we (humans) live in forms and patterns and don't want to change them unless it is required vitally.
   
   East and West(Europe continent) and even far west (America continent)  have highly different values and measures of gauges. Bearing the former fact in mind with this one, it doesn't seem easy to meet them in one point. And one (a human but not Allah)cannot claim that his / her values are the rightest and and the most humanitarian. Every value need to be evaluated in its setting.
   
   So, marriage at early age is NOT wrong for EASTERN people neither is multi-wives. And living in a woman's flat without   
   marriage is not absurd for WESTERN. No one has  anything much to say CULTURALLY.
   
   However, in divinity (or RELIGIOUSLY) things differ and no differences are accepted. Because verses are NOT debatable, IF YOU BELIEVE.
   
   The final point is "DOES ONE BELIEVE OR NOT? (if Muhammed is the prophet?)
   if yes, s/he can give plenty of reasons for
   if no s/he can find numerous (so-called) disputes. 
   (We DO, to Muhammed and all the others -Jesus, Mary, Moses- backwards till Adam. Allah bless them.)

   report
   1. 61

      skipper112posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Quote ' Does one belive or not'?
      if yes can give plenty of reasons.
      if no can also give plenty of reasons.
      
      NO DISPUTES it is faith based  and it is wrong to say ( so called ) disputes,for  as many reasons as you can find to 'prove Mohammed was a prophet' just as many can be found to prove Mohammed was not a Prophert.
      
      I still cannot understand why you say you 'love' Jesus in the Quran Mohammed HATED JEWS and Jesus was a JEW, explain that to me ??
      
      Did Allah also hate jews after all Allah wrote the Quran, Mohammed could not read or write.
      
      If Allah liked Jews why did Mohammed hate Jews?

      report
8. 67

   Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

   The question is why did Muhammad only get 9 wives (not sure how many were virgins I'm assuming the 9 year old would have been).. while others get 72 virgins in paradise!
   
   I would be kinda pissed if I was Muhammad

   report
9. 61

   rotlposted 14 years ago

   Is the point of this thread to bash Islam and 1.3 billion Muslims? There are other sites for that.

   report
   1. 67

      Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      no.. i think the point of the thread was to justify having 9 wives, even if they were minors.

      report
      1. 61

         rotlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Doesn't read like that.

         report
10. 67

    Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

    The original poster seeks to explain/justify the rational behind Muhammad having 9 wives.  It is clearly a defense of his marital habits.
    
    Now, if one puts up a defense of such marital behaviors, you have to expect that people are going to respond with alternative view points.

    report