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This article [[Refutations|refutes]] miscellaneous apologetics which may not be fully covered in our [[Islam and Pedophilia|main articles]], but are used by some to justify the [[marriage]] between the [[Islam|Islamic]] Prophet [[Muhammad]] and his six-year-old bride [[Aisha]].
<div style="border:1px solid #cccccc; width:150px;padding:5px;float:right;font-size:85%;line-height:130%">[[File:Opinion-warning-icon.jpg|45px|link=Category:Core Article|right]] '''''Content Diversity'''<br/> This portion of text may contain statements that may appear disagreeable to some readers. Please see our [[User:Axius/Sandbox3|content diversity disclaimer.]]</div>
====The Qur'an does not say Muhammad married Aisha when she was 6 and had sex with her when she was 9====
 
The [[Qur'an]] is not a biography of Muhammad. By name, he is only mentioned 4 times in the Qur'an.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_times_was_the_name_of_the_holy_prophet_Muhammad_mentioned_in_Quran|2=2011-10-24}} How many times name of the holy prophet Muhammad mentioned in Quran?] - Answers.com, accessed October 24, 2011</ref> The Qur'an is not a historical narrative and without the [[Hadiths]] and [[Islam_and_Scripture#Sira|Sirat]] (which are accepted by the majority of the worlds Muslims and Islamic scholars) there would be no [[Five Pillars of Islam|Five Pillars]], Islam as Muslims know it would be unrecognizable, and there would be little<ref>Much like the hadith literature and prophetic biographies, the early non-Muslim references to Muhammad that do exist seem to paint a very negative picture of him. For example; the ''Doctrina Jacobi'' portrays him as a bandit, and the Mandaeans' ''[[Haran Gawaitha]]'' depicts him as the "Son-of-Slaughter, the Arab" converting "people to himself by the sword."</ref> to no historical evidence that a person known as Prophet Muhammad ever existed. Therefore they [[Qur'an Only Islam - Why it is Not Possible|cannot be ignored]].  Furthermore, the Qur'an itself  [[Pedophilia in the Qur'an|permits pedophilia]] in verse 65:4.<ref>According to the Qur'an, one can marry and have sexual intercourse with a child who has not yet reached her menses. In {{Quran|65|4}}, the Qur'an addresses divorce and how long one should wait for remarriage after the divorce of females who are too old or too young to menstruate, in Arabic called ''iddah'' (the stipulated waiting period). So we are told in this verse normally women should wait three monthly periods, but if she's too old or too young to menstruate then you should simply measure by three moon phases. From {{Quran|33|49}} it is understood that the Iddah is required only if sexual contact has occurred within the marriage. If a woman is not touched by her husband, she should not have to observe any waiting period at all. Hence for a child who has not yet reached her menses having to observe the Iddah must mean that sexual intercourse had already taken place within her previous marriage. For further details, see: [[Pedophilia in the Qur'an]]</ref>
 
====Allah's purpose for the marriage was not sex, Aisha was a great scholar who narrated important hadiths====
 
There is no purpose of an Islamic marriage ([[nikah]]) if there will be no sex between the couple. If 54 year old Muhammad did not want to have sex with 9 year old Aisha but wanted to keep her in his house, he could easily have adopted her as his grand-daughter instead. He already had an adopted son.
 
And even if we were to accept the marriage as a result of Allah's foreknowledge, it still does not explain why he could not foretell that millions of young girls today would face [[Contemporary Pedophilic Islamic Marriages|pedophilic child marriages]], explicitly using Muhammad and Aisha's relationship as justification.<ref name="University of Houston">Sheik Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz, supreme religious authority of Saudi Arabia: "''...If she is married without her permission, by threat or coercion, then the marriage is not valid. The only exeption is in the case of the father and his daughter who is less than nine years of age. There is no harm if he gets her married while she is less than nine years old, according to the correct opinion. This is based on the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) marrying Aisha without her consent when she was less than nine years old, as is stated in authentic Hadith...''" - [http://web.archive.org/web/20040216151301/http://www.uh.edu/campus/msa/articles/fatawawom/marriage.html Questions Related to Marriage/ Is it allowed for a father to force his daughter to marry a specific man that she does not want to marry?] - Muslim Students Organization of the University of Houston</ref><ref name="Sheikh Hamoud">Sheikh Hamoud Hashim al-Tharihi, general secretary of the Vice and Virtue Committee and member of the Islah Party in Yemen: "''Because this happened to the Prophet, we cannot tell people that it is prohibited to marry at an early age''" - [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7711554.stm Child marriage and divorce in Yemen] - Jenny Cuff, BBC, November 6, 2008</ref><ref name="Mufti Fazlul">Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini: "''Banning child marriage will cause challenging the marriage of the holy prophet of Islam, who also married minor Ayesha, when she was just eight years old. The new law [seeking to ban child marriages] initiated by the current government [of Bangladesh] will put the moral character of the prophet into controversy and challenge. Islam permits child marriage and it will not be tolerated if any ruler will ever try to touch this issue in the name of giving more rights to women.''" - [http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1386/islamist-leader-threatens-of-waging-jihad <!-- Backup link from Jihad Watch {{Reference archive|1=http://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/04/bangladesh-islamic-cleric-threatens-jihad-if-child-marriage-is-banned.html|2=2011-04-23}}  -->Islamist leader threatens of waging Jihad] - Weekly Blitz, April 20, 2011</ref><ref name="Imam Sani">Imam Sani, a Nigerian cleric: "''Child marriage in Islam is permissible. In the Koran there is no specific age of marriage...[If the government imposed new laws against child marriage] There will be violent conflict from the Muslims, saying that 'no, we will not accept this, we'd rather die than accept something which is not a law from Allah.'''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.aina.org/news/20090918145141.htm|2=2011-10-25}} Child Marriage in the Islamic World] - AINA, September 18, 2009</ref><ref name="Sheikh Mohamed Ben">Sheikh Mohamed Ben Abderrahman Al-Maghraoui: "''The marriage of nine-year-old girls is not forbidden because according to the Hadith (the Prophet Mohammed's sayings), Mohammed married Aisha when she was only seven-years-old and he consummated his union when she was nine.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=27880|2=2011-10-25}} Moroccan theologian: Muslim girls can wed at nine] - Middle East Online, September 15, 2008</ref>
 
====The hadiths do not say Muhammad had sex with Aisha when she was 9. They have been poorly translated====
 
In multiple sahih hadiths, as discussed in [[The Meaning of Consummate|this article]], the Arabic terms used are "udkhilath" and "bana biha", which in their context can only be referring to "sexual intercourse" and nothing else.
 
====There is 1 hadith that says Aisha "never saw the private parts of Muhammad"====
 
The hadiths that confirm Aisha consummated her marriage are Mutawatir ('corroborated'), meaning the same narrations (either with minor variation or word-for-word) have been passed down through different isnads (chains).
 
When the same/similar narration is passed down through [[Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Aisha#Aisha.27s_Age_at_Consummation_and_Marriage|multiple isnads]], then it is of higher authenticity than one which may be reported through a lesser number of isnads (especially if they contradict). This classification can be joined with other classifications; for example, if a narration were both 'sahih' and 'mutawatir' then it is of the highest authenticity regarding classification of ahadith.
 
Since all the most authentic collections confirm that the relationship between Muhammad and Aisha was a sexual one, this alleged hadith can be ignored.
 
The idea that Aisha was a virgin her entire life is an alien one to Islam, and if we were to be as "difficult" and/or disingenuous as the apologists appear to be, we could always point out that, literally speaking, there is no need to "see the private parts" of anyone in order to have sex with them.
 
There are also hadith which tell us Muhammad had sex with all (9 to 11) of his wives in one night,<ref>"''Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet used to pass by (have sexual relation with) all his wives in one night, and at that time he had nine wives.''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|142}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Qatada: Anas bin Malik said, "The Prophet used to visit all his wives in a round, during the day and night and they were eleven in number." I asked Anas, "Had the Prophet the strength for it?" Anas replied, "We used to say that the Prophet was given the strength of thirty (men)." And Sa'id said on the authority of Qatada that Anas had told him about nine wives only (not eleven).''" - {{Bukhari|1|5|268}}</ref> and Sauda (who was fat)<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: Sauda asked the permission of the Prophet to leave earlier at the night of Jam', and she was a fat and very slow woman. The Prophet gave her permission.''" - {{Bukhari|2|26|740}}</ref> gave up her night of sex to Aisha.<ref>"''Narrated Aisha: Whenever Allah's Apostle wanted to go on a journey, he would draw lots as to which of his wives would accompany him. He would take her whose name came out. He used to fix for each of them a day and a night. But Sauda bint Zam'a gave up her (turn) day and night to 'Aisha, the wife of the Prophet in order to seek the pleasure of Allah's Apostle (by that action).''" - {{Bukhari|3|47|766}} See also: {{Bukhari|3|48|853}}, {{Muslim|8|3451}} & {{Muslim|8|3452}}</ref> Are we now to believe he was in fact not having sex with them, but reading them bedtime stories or engaging in some other evening activity?
 
There are also sahih narations which tell us that Muhammad's first encounter with Aisha following her admittance into his house "surprised" her,<ref>"''Narrated Aisha: When the Prophet married me, my mother came to me and made me enter the house (of the Prophet) and nothing surprised me but the coming of Allah's Apostle to me in the forenoon.''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|90}}</ref> that she used to wash and scrape off the semen from his clothes,<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: I used to wash the semen off the clothes of the Prophet and even then I used to notice one or more spots on them.''" - {{Bukhari|1|4|233}}</ref><ref>"''Abdullah b. Shihab al-Khaulani reported: I stayed in the house of 'A'isha and had a wet dream (and perceived its effect on my garment), so (in the morning) I dipped both (the clothes) in water. This (act of mine) was watched by a maid-servant of A'isha and she informed her. She (Hadrat A'isha) sent me a message: What prompted you to act like this with your clothes? He (the narrator) said: I told that I saw in a dream what a sleeper sees. She said: Did you find (any mark of the fluid) on your clothes? I said: No. She said: Had you found anything you should have washed it. In case I found that (semen) on the garment of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) dried up, I scraped it off with my nails.''" - {{Muslim|2|572}} See Also {{Muslim|2|566}}, {{Muslim|2|567}}, {{Muslim|2|568}}, {{Muslim|2|569}}, {{Muslim|2|570}}, {{Muslim|2|571}}</ref> and that he used to fondle her and suck her tongue.<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet and I used to take a bath from a single pot while we were Junub. During the menses, he used to order me to put on an Izar (dress worn below the waist) and used to fondle me.''" - {{Bukhari|1|6|298}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to kiss her and suck her tongue when he was fasting.''" - {{Abu Dawud|13|2380}}</ref>
 
====Some Islamic sources say Aisha was aged 12, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 21 when Muhammad had sex with her====
 
All [[Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Aisha#Aisha.27s_Age_at_Consummation_and_Marriage|authentic sources]] of Aisha’s own testimony confirm she was aged nine at the time. These alternate ages have been derived from misquotations, indirect sources, fuzzy dating techniques, and slander, in an attempt to cast doubt upon facts which have been unquestionably accepted by Muslims for almost 1,500 years.
 
Even today, the vast majority of the worlds Muslims acknowledge and accept Aisha's young age and many of these honest Muslims take offense to these lies propagated by western Muslim apologists who are embarrassed by their own prophet's actions. In fact, Islamic scholar and teacher of Fiqh at Sunnipath.com and Livingislam.org, Shaykh [[Gibril Haddad|Gibril Fouad Haddad's]] work has been referenced in our refutation to all these claims, which you can [[Refutation to Muslim Apologetics against Aisha's Age of Consummation|read here]].
 
====Muhammad waited for 3 years so Aisha could attain puberty before having sex with her====
 
Playing with dolls and similar images is forbidden in Islam, unless you are a child who has yet to reach the age of puberty.<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: I used to play with the dolls in the presence of the Prophet, and my girl friends also used to play with me. When Allah's Apostle used to enter they used to hide themselves, but the Prophet would call them to join and play with me. (The playing with the dolls and similar images is forbidden, but it was allowed for 'Aisha at that time, as she was a little girl, not yet reached the age of puberty.) (Fateh-al-Bari page 143, Vol.13)''" - {{Bukhari|8|73|151}}</ref><ref>[http://www.themuslimwoman.com/beware/GirlsPlayingDolls.htm Little Girls Playing With Dolls] - The Islamic Ruling Concerning Tasweer, Abu Muhammad Abdur-Ra'uf Shakir</ref> Thus, the [[Aisha_Age_of_Consummation#Only_pre-pubescent_girls_were_allowed_to_play_with_dolls|doll-playing exegesis]] applied to the relevant hadith narrations prove that Aisha remained pre-pubertal at the time of consummation.
 
====Muhammad made an exception for Aisha by allowing her to play with dolls even after puberty====
 
This is purely wishful thinking that ultimately backfires on the user because it assumes Muhammad, the perfect Muslim whose example is to be emulated, defied Allah by not adhering to his sacred law (the Shar'iah).
 
Unless Allah clearly specified an exemption for Muhammad, he would have followed the rules governing doll-playing in Islam. Claiming otherwise only makes Muhammad into a hypocrite and a bad example for other Muslims to follow.
 
====Menstruation in hot climates starts earlier than in cold ones, so girls in Arabia matured as early as 9====
 
For girls in the Medieval (5<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> century) Middle East, the average age at menarche was between 12 to 13 years of age, not 9. In fact, the average age at menarche for Medieval Europeans was very similar, at 12 to 14 years of age.<ref name="Mum.org">[{{Reference archive|1=|2=2011-10-24}} Average age at menarche in various cultures] - Mum.org, accessed October 24, 2011</ref>
 
====In 1 hadith Aisha says "When a girl is nine years old, she is a woman (meaning, she has attained puberty)"====
 
If we were to accept this interpretation made by apologists, it would mean Aisha is also making an incorrect blanket statement. Not many girls go through puberty at the age of 9, especially in the Middle East during Aisha's lifetime,<ref name="Mum.org"></ref> yet she appears to be claiming ''all'' 9 year-olds go through puberty. So the only conclusion that can be drawn from this erroneous interpretation is that this "great scholar of Islam" was stupid.
 
If we take a rational approach to reaching conclusions, we can clearly see this alleged narration does not prove Aisha had attained puberty. "she has attained puberty" is written in parenthesis, meaning it was added by the translator and was not taken from the original source.
 
She was also a young child who had been sexually defiled at the age of nine, so obviously she would consider that moment in time to have been the moment when she went from being a child to becoming a women. Her statement had absolutely nothing to do with attaining puberty.
 
====Why did Muhammad wait for 3 years if it was not so Aisha could attain puberty?====
 
According to Bukhari, Aisha fell ill and lost her hair after her marriage/engagement to Muhammad at the age of six. The same hadith also confirms that she was "handed over to him" once her hair grew back.<ref>"''Narrated Aisha: The Prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six (years). We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Bani-al-Harith bin Khazraj. Then I got ill and my hair fell down. Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother, Um Ruman, came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends. She called me, and I went to her, not knowing what she wanted to do to me. She caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house. I was breathless then, and when my breathing became Allright, she took some water and rubbed my face and head with it. Then she took me into the house. There in the house I saw some Ansari women who said, "Best wishes and Allah's Blessing and a good luck." Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared me (for the marriage). Unexpectedly Allah's Apostle came to me in the forenoon and my mother handed me over to him, and at that time I was a girl of nine years of age.''" - {{Bukhari|5|58|234}}</ref> Since Bukhari is Sahih (authentic), we have no reason to dismiss this explanation.
 
Also according to Tabari (a less reliable, yet widely respected and accepted source among Muslims), the delay was due to Muhammad not having the gold to pay the sadaq.<ref>"''... then Abu Bakr asked [the Prophet] "O Messenger of God, what prevents you from consummating the marriage with your wife?" The Prophet said "The bridal gift (sadaq)."...''" - al-Tabari Volume XXXIX, pp. 171-173</ref> 
 
One thing we can be sure of is that the delay had nothing to do with her pubertal status, as such an important issue would not have gone without some commentary by the early Islamic sources and it would have also contradicted Muhammad's Qur'anic revelation which [[Pedophilia in the Qur'an|sanctions pedophilia]].
 
====If Muhammad was a pedophile, he would still not have waited 3 years to have sex with Aisha====
 
It is not unusual for a pedophile to know his intended child partner for some years before initiating ''sexual'' contact. This is known as "grooming". A survey by the Mayo Clinic revealed heterosexual male pedophiles preferred girls in the age range of 8-10 years (Aisha was 9), and frequently met them when they were even younger.<ref name="Mayo Clinic">Ryan C. W. Hall, MD, and Richard C. W. Hall, MD, PA, - "[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.com/content/82/4/457.full.pdf+html?sid=80e46e23-3ba0-4fb7-a0c8-bc49932a5559|2=2011-10-24}} A profile of Pedophilia: Definition, Characteristics of Offenders, Recidivism, Treatment Outcomes and Forensic Issues]" - Page 459, April 2007;82(4):457-471 • www.mayoclinicproceedings.com</ref>
 
Also, if we take Bukhari's explanation into consideration, it makes perfect sense. A pedophile would not want to have sex with an ill child if he thinks he is going to catch some sort of disease from doing so.
 
====If Muhammad was a pedophile, Aisha's parents would not have offered her to him====
 
Aisha's parents did not offer her to Muhammad. It was in fact Muhammad who approached Abu Bakr, and he (Aisha's father) initially protested.<ref>"''Narrated 'Ursa: The Prophet asked Abu Bakr for 'Aisha's hand in marriage. Abu Bakr said "But I am your brother." The Prophet said, "You are my brother in Allah's religion and His Book, but she (Aisha) is lawful for me to marry."''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|18}}</ref>
 
Even today, it is not uncommon for cult members to give their young children to the cult leader to "marry" and sexually abuse.<ref>"''He [Albert Tony Walker] began showing affection to married women, and grooming the group’s younger women to be his “spiritual brides.” He convinced Silva that allowing him to bed her daughters was the right thing to do, talking to her for hours about saving them from “some worldly guy,” she recalled. “He said, ‘God had given us the power to bring on the seed of God, and how great would that be to have your children blessed?’ ” Kalena is a grown woman and mother of two now with honey-brown hair cascading down to her waist. Her clear blue eyes grow tearful when she remembers how Walker began separating her from her mother and siblings at age 11 to fondle her. At 12, he began raping her, telling her he wanted her to bear his child. Eventually, at 16, she did get pregnant.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ajc.com/news/family-members-who-lost-854282.html|2=2011-10-24}} Family members who lost faith find justice] - Andria Simmons, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 27, 2011</ref> So if she were to have been offered to Muhammad, this would not justify the marriage in any way.
 
====Abu Bakr became the 1st Caliph. Muhammad married Aisha to "cement the relations of the budding nation"====
 
Abu Bakr was already Muhammad's closest companion. There was no need for him to "cement relations" with Abu Bakr by marrying his 6-year-old daughter, and thereby forever legitimizing child-marriages within Islam.
 
Additionally, if this was the sole purpose behind the marriage, he could have just as easily married Abu Bakr's other daughter, Asma bint Abu Bakr, who was a lot older and not married at the time.
 
====Aisha consented to the marriage. If it was abuse, she would have left Muhammad====
 
In Islam, a virgin's silence is her "consent".<ref>"''Narrated Abu Haraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A lady slave should not be given in marriage until she is consulted, and a virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission is granted." The people said, "How will she express her permission?" The Prophet said, "By keeping silent (when asked her consent)." Some people said, "If a man, by playing a trick, presents two false witnesses before the judge to testify that he has married a matron with her consent and the judge confirms his marriage, and the husband is sure that he has never married her (before), then such a marriage will be considered as a legal one and he may live with her as husband.''" - {{Bukhari|9|86|100}}, See Also: {{Bukhari|9|86|98}} and {{Bukhari|9|86|101}}</ref><ref>"''m3.13 Guardians are of two types, those who may compel their female charges to marry someone, and those who may not. 1. The only guardians who may compel their charge to marry are a virgin bride's father or father's father, compel meaning to marry her to a suitable match (def: m4) without her consent. 2. Those who may not compel her are not entitled to marry her to someone unless she accepts and gives her permission. Whenever the bride is a virgin, the father or father's father may marry her to someone without her permission, though it is recommended to ask her permission '''if''' she has reached puberty. A virgin's silence is considered as permission.''" - [http://web.archive.org/web/20020422171727/www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/NHMK_RT/Default.htm Reliance of the Traveller: A Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law] - Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller</ref> To the rest of us, this does not constitute consent, and the idea that a young child's willingness to engage in sexual activity with a grown adult somehow makes the act morally justifiable is abhorrent. It is an excuse that many pedophiles use to justify their behavior.
 
In fact, Aisha did ''not'' consent to her marriage. This is the specific reason why Islamic scholars are "unanimously agreed that a father may marry off his young daughter without consulting her."<ref>Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr, Al-Istidhkaar, 16/49-50: "''The scholars are unanimously agreed that a father may marry off his young daughter without consulting her. The Messenger of Allaah married ‘Aa’ishah bint Abi Bakr when she was young, six or seven years old, when her father married her to him.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/12708|2=2011-10-27}} Is it acceptable to marry a girl who has not yet started her menses?] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 12708</ref> Furthermore, "there is no age limit to be intimate with one's wife even if she is a minor (did not attain puberty)", but "when she attains puberty, she has the right to maintain the marriage or discontinue the marriage."<ref>"''According to the Shari'ah, if a girl is a minor (did not attain puberty), she may be given in marriage by her father. When she attains puberty, she has the right to maintain the marriage or discontinue the marriage. There is no age limit to be intimate with one's wife even if she is a minor.''" - [http://web.archive.org/web/20080127161338/http://islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=6737 I would like to marry a woman who is 12 years old, her father and she has also agreed. What is your advise?] - Islamic Q & A Online with Mufti Ebrahim Desai, Ask-Imam, Question No. 6737</ref>
 
As to not leaving him; both of the young victims, aged 12 and 15, of Warren Jeffs, the polygamist cult leader, did not leave him. They "entered into unions with Jeffs willingly, and did not participate in the trial against him."<ref name="Warren Jeffs">"''As a prophet of his polygamist sect, Warren Jeffs documented everything he did, keeping track of every marriage he performed, every young woman he wed, and even recording his intimate moments ... Jeffs had 78 wives in addition to his legal spouse, and 24 of them were under age 17, said Eric Nichols, lead prosecutor for the Texas Attorney General's office, which is handling the case ... Jurors deliberated for 3½ hours before finding Jeffs guilty of sexually assaulting two girls, ages 12 and 15, whom he'd wed during what his sect considers "spiritual marriages." Prosecutors used DNA evidence to show Jeffs fathered a child with the older victim and played an audio recording of what they said was him sexually assaulting the younger girl ... Jeffs' sect has more than 10,000 members nationwide who believe polygamy brings exaltation in heaven. Both victims entered into unions with Jeffs willingly, and did not participate in the trial against him. But Nichols said in his closing statement that the crimes were so egregious that under Texas law, convictions did not require the victim to bring charges.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Polygamist-leader-convicted-of-child-sex-assault-1719564.php|2=2011-10-27}} Polygamist leader convicted of child sex assault] - Will Weissert, Associated Press, August 5, 2011</ref> Regardless of the victims support for him, he was still a pedophile and was convicted in 2011 of sexually abusing children.
 
====Aisha loved Muhammad and always spoke highly of him. Would a pedophile be worthy of such praise?====
 
If you read the narrations by Aisha, you will find that their nature and content are often [[The Tragedy of Aisha|derogatory towards Islam]], and at times she is found mocking and belittling her husband. Indeed, this is one of the reasons why the Shi'ite sect hold a very negative view of her.
 
For example; she said Muhammad was affected with magic, and black magic is considered to be the devil’s doing, thereby she is in fact proclaiming he was under the influence of the devil.<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: Magic was worked on the Prophet so that he began to fancy that he was doing a thing which he was not actually doing...''" - {{Bukhari|4|54|490}} see also{{Bukhari|7|71|658}}, {{Bukhari|7|71|660}}, {{Bukhari|7|71|661}}, {{Bukhari|8|73|89}}, and {{Bukhari|8|75|400}}</ref> She also created the impression that he was forgetful and clumsy,<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet heard a man (reciting Quran) in the Mosque, and he said, "May Allah bestow His Mercy upon him. No doubt, he made me remember such-and such Verses of such-and-such Sura which I dropped (from my memory)...''" - {{Bukhari|3|48|82}}</ref> she disclosed things which Muhammad had told her in private.<ref>"''Narrated Aswad: Ibn Az-Zubair said to me, "Aisha used to tell you secretly a number of things. What did she tell you about the Ka'ba?" I replied, "She told me that once the Prophet said, 'O 'Aisha! Had not your people been still close to the pre-Islamic period of ignorance (infidelity)! I would have dismantled the Ka'ba and would have made two doors in it; one for entrance and the other for exit." Later on Ibn Az-Zubair did the same.''" - {{Bukhari|1|3|128}}</ref> and once noted, with unmissable sarcasm, "I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your wishes and desires."<ref>"''Narrated Aisha: I used to look down upon those ladies who had given themselves to Allah's Apostle and I used to say, "Can a lady give herself (to a man)?" But when Allah revealed: "You (O Muhammad) can postpone (the turn of) whom you will of them (your wives), and you may receive any of them whom you will; and there is no blame on you if you invite one whose turn you have set aside (temporarily).' (33.51) I said (to the Prophet), "I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your wishes and desires."''" - {{Bukhari|6|60|311}}</ref>
 
Muhammad and Aisha's relationship was far from idyllic. Muhammad at one time struck her painfully in the chest,<ref>"''... He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was 'A'isha who had narrated this: ... I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?..."''" - {{Muslim|4|2127}}</ref> and he allowed Abu Bakr to slap her,<ref>"''I would say something which would make the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter of Khadija when you asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger (mav peace be upon him) laughed and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) for anything he does not possess.''" - {{Muslim|9|3506}}</ref> and Aisha even claimed to dislike facing him.<ref>"''Narrated 'Aisha: The things which annul the prayers were mentioned before me. They said, "Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of the praying people)." I said, "You have made us (i.e. women) dogs. I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in my bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I would slip away for I disliked to face him."''" - {{Bukhari|1|9|490}}</ref>
 
As to the original question; Would a pedophile be worthy of such praise? The answer is, yes. Victims of pedophilia often defend their abusers. Any praise heaped on Muhammad by Aisha can be easily explained by the Stockholm Syndrome.<ref>"''Stockholm Syndrome has also been explained in evolutionary terms. Historically raptio (e.g., Rape of the Sabine women) and bride kidnapping have been (and still are in some places) very common practices. Women who were kidnapped and consistently fought back were likely to be killed or imprisoned and thus not have children. But women who bonded with and submitted to their captors were more likely to have children and their children were more likely to receive the genes that made their mothers more passive and bonding towards their captors. And over several generations, this made the population of humans more genetically prone to submission and bonding when kidnapped.''" - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome Stockholm Syndrome] - Wikipedia, accessed October 13, 2011</ref>
 
====Muhammad can't be a pedophile, he also had sex with grown women====
 
According to statistics provided by the Mayo Clinic, 93% of heterosexual male pedophiles have also engaged in adult relationships.<ref name="Mayo Clinic"></ref>
 
====Pedophiles prefer children, but Muhammad had many adult wives and only 1 child-bride====
 
It is common knowledge that after Khadijah's death, Aisha, who was Muhammad's only child bride, was also his favorite wife,<ref>Goodwin, Jan. Price of Honour: Muslim Women Lift the Veil of Silence on the Islamic World. UK: Little, Brown Book Group, 1994</ref> and according to Islamic oral traditions, Muhammad preferred young virgin girls to "matrons",<ref>"''Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah: While we were returning from a Ghazwa (Holy Battle) with the Prophet, I started driving my camel fast, as it was a lazy camel A rider came behind me and pricked my camel with a spear he had with him, and then my camel started running as fast as the best camel you may see. Behold! The rider was the Prophet himself. He said, 'What makes you in such a hurry?" I replied, I am newly married " He said, "Did you marry a virgin or a matron? I replied, "A matron." He said, "Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you may play with her and she with you?" When we were about to enter (Medina), the Prophet said, "Wait so that you may enter (Medina) at night so that the lady of unkempt hair may comb her hair and the one whose husband has been absent may shave her pubic region.''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|16}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: When I got married, Allah's Apostle said to me, "What type of lady have you married?" I replied, "I have married a matron' He said, "Why, don't you have a liking for the virgins and for fondling them?" Jabir also said: Allah's Apostle said, "Why didn't you marry a young girl so that you might play with her and she with you?'''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|17}}</ref> he had sexual intentions for at least one other baby girl,<ref>"''(Suhayli, ii. 79: In the riwaya of Yunus I. I. recorded that the apostle saw her (Ummu'lFadl) when she was a baby crawling before him and said, 'If she grows up and I am still alive I will marry her.' But he died before she grew up and Sufyan b. al-Aswad b. 'Abdu'l-Asad al-Makhzumi married her and she bore him Rizq and Lubab...''" - Ibn Ishaq, The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah, translated by A. Guillaume [Oxford University Press, Karachi]</ref><ref>"''Muhammad saw Um Habiba the daughter of Abbas while she was fatim (age of nursing) and he said, "If she grows up while I am still alive, I will marry her."''" - Musnad Ahmad, Number 25636</ref> and he coveted a child princess still being wet-nursed.<ref>"''Narrated Abu Usaid: We went out with the Prophet to a garden called Ash-Shaut till we reached two walls between which we sat down. The Prophet said, "Sit here," and went in (the garden). The Jauniyya (a lady from Bani Jaun) had been brought and lodged in a house in a date-palm garden in the home of Umaima bint An-Nu'man bin Sharahil, and her wet nurse was with her. When the Prophet entered upon her, he said to her, "Give me yourself (in marriage) as a gift." She said, "Can a princess give herself in marriage to an ordinary man?" The Prophet raised his hand to pat her so that she might become tranquil. She said, "I seek refuge with Allah from you." He said, "You have sought refuge with One Who gives refuge. Then the Prophet came out to us and said, "O Abu Usaid! Give her two white linen dresses to wear and let her go back to her family." Narrated Sahl and Abu Usaid: The Prophet married Umaima bint Sharahil, and when she was brought to him, he stretched his hand towards her. It seemed that she disliked that, whereupon the Prophet ordered Abu Usaid to prepare her and to provide her with two white linen dresses. (See Hadith No. 541).''" - {{Bukhari|7|63|182}}</ref>
 
The stringent DSM-IV-TR clinical definition of pedophilia, which is applied to Muhammad's behavior [[Aisha Age of Consummation|here]], also does not require a person to be solely or preferentially attracted to children for a positive diagnosis of pedophilia. The DSM-IV only requires that someone have had a sexual attraction for a child and have acted on that attraction at least once.
 
====At that time, it was okay to have sex with 9 year olds in Arabia. It was a cultural norm====
 
As they themselves have left behind no written records, there is ''no'' evidence of pedophilic marriages being accepted among the non-Muslim Arabs of Muhammad's time. The only sources we have are Muslim sources, so to claim that such a marriage was a cultural norm among all Arabs is baseless conjecture.
 
During the Medieval period it was the norm in Jewish Middle Eastern cultures for girls to be given in marriage when they were [[Aisha and Puberty|12-13 years old]],<ref>''[[W:Nashim|Kiddushin]]'' ([[W:tosafot|tosafot]]) 41a</ref> coinciding perfectly with the average age at menarche in the Medieval Middle East which was also 12-13 years.<ref name="Mum.org"></ref> A large age gap between the spouses was also opposed,<ref>''[[W:Yebamot|Yebamot]]'' 44a</ref><ref>''Sanhedrin'' 76a</ref> yet the age gap between Muhammad and Aisha was a massive 45 years.
 
Besides, a lot of other things were acceptable in the past, but that does not make them any more moral or right.
 
Drinking [[alcohol]] and gambling were both permitted activities in pre-Islamic Arabia, yet Muhammad chose to ban these relatively harmless "cultural norms".<ref>"''O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye may prosper.''" - {{cite quran|5|90|end=91|style=ref}}</ref> Why did he not do the same for [[slavery]] or pedophilia rather than indulging in both himself?
 
As with pedophilia, Muhammad's actions [[Islamic_Law#Slavery|perpetuated the existence]] of slavery by institutionalizing it within Islam. Muhammad was a slave-trader.<ref>"''Mohammed had many male and female slaves. He used to buy and sell them, but he purchased more slaves than he sold, especially after God empowered him by His message, as well as after his immigration from Mecca. He once sold one black slave for two. His name was Jacob al-Mudbir. His purchases of slaves were more than he sold. He was used to renting out and hiring many slaves, but he hired more slaves than he rented out.''" - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, "Zad al-Ma'ad", part 1, page 160</ref> He not only owned many male<ref>"''These are the names of Muhammad's male slaves: Yakan Abu Sharh, Aflah, 'Ubayd, Dhakwan, Tahman, Mirwan, Hunayn, Sanad, Fadala Yamamin, Anjasha al-Hadi, Mad'am, Karkara, Abu Rafi', Thawban, Ab Kabsha, Salih, Rabah, Yara Nubyan, Fadila, Waqid, Mabur, Abu Waqid, Kasam, Abu 'Ayb, Abu Muwayhiba, Zayd Ibn Haritha, and also a black slave called Mahran, who was re-named (by Muhammad) Safina (`ship')''" - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, "Zad al-Ma'ad", part 1, Pages 114-116</ref> and female<ref>"''Muhammad's Maid Slaves "are Salma Um Rafi', Maymuna daughter of Abu Asib, Maymuna daughter of Sa'd, Khadra, Radwa, Razina, Um Damira, Rayhana, Mary the Coptic, in addition to two other maid-slaves, one of them given to him as a present by his cousin, Zaynab, and the other one captured in a war.''" - Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, "Zad al-Ma'ad", part 1, Pages 114-116</ref> slaves, but he also captured, sold, and had sex<ref>"''....Waqidi has informed us that Abu Bakr has narrated that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) had sexual intercourse with Mariyyah [his Coptic slave] in the house of Hafsah....''" - Tabaqat v. 8 p. 223 Publisher Entesharat-e Farhang va Andisheh Tehran 1382 solar h ( 2003) Translator Dr. Mohammad Mahdavi Damghan</ref> with his slaves. Even Bilal, the famed "black Muslim", was bought in exchange for a black non-Muslim slave.<ref>"''A rock was put on a slave's chest. When Abu Bakr complained, they said, 'You are the one who corrupted him, so save him from his plight.' I will do so,' said Bakr. 'I have a black slave, tougher and stronger than Bilal, who is a heathen. I will exchange him. The transaction was carried out.''" - Ishaq:144</ref>
 
====All religious founders were products of their time. We cannot judge Muhammad by today's standards====
 
Most Muslims clearly disagree with this statement. Unlike other faiths, in Islam, Muhammad is the "[[Uswa Hasana|uswa hasana, al-Insān al-Kāmil]]" (the perfect human, whose example is worthy of imitation). The Qur'an even refers to his morality as “sublime”,<ref>"''And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.''" - {{Quran|68|4}}</ref> and as the Qur'an is believed by Muslims to be the literal and final words of God, they are beyond the constraints of time.
 
All mainstream Muslims consider Muhammad to be the perfect example to follow. For them to suggest otherwise (thereby conceding that Muhammad's actions are immoral when compared to today's standards) would constitute [[apostasy]] via [[Islam and Freedom of Speech|blasphemy]] in belief<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20101025105557/http://alsunna.org/Questions-about-Apostasy-Blasphemy.html|2=2011-10-24}} Questions about Apostasy (Blasphemy)] - Al Sunna.org</ref> and would make them liable for the death sentence under Islamic law.
 
They do not judge morality by "today's" standard, but by Muhammad's standard. Hence millions of young girls today are forced into [[Contemporary Pedophilic Islamic Marriages|pedophilic child marriages]] by individuals, and even entire countries, who explicitly use Muhammad and Aisha's relationship as justification.<ref name="University of Houston"></ref><ref name="Sheikh Hamoud"></ref><ref name="Mufti Fazlul"></ref><ref name="Imam Sani"></ref><ref name="Sheikh Mohamed Ben"></ref>
 
Muhammad and Aisha's relationship is also used to hinder attempts by developing countries to move forward by banning child marriages. For example; in countries like Yemen, Bangladesh, Iran, and Northern Nigeria, recent attempts at reforming laws and banning child marriages have been opposed and stopped on the grounds that such a ban would be "un-Islamic".<ref name="AINA">[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.aina.org/news/20090918145141.htm|2=2011-10-25}} Child Marriage in the Islamic World] - AINA, September 18, 2009</ref><ref name="Weekly Blitz">[http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1386/islamist-leader-threatens-of-waging-jihad <!-- Backup link from Jihad Watch {{Reference archive|1=http://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/04/bangladesh-islamic-cleric-threatens-jihad-if-child-marriage-is-banned.html|2=2011-04-23}}  -->Islamist leader threatens of waging Jihad] - Weekly Blitz, April 20, 2011</ref><ref name="MESSAGE">yessir - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.abigmessage.com/child-marriage-death-of-13-year-old-bride-after-wedding.html|2=2011-10-25}} Child Marriage - Death Of 13 Year Old Bride After Wedding] - A BIG MESSAGE, April 10, 2010</ref><ref name="IRIN">[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88589|2=2011-10-25}} YEMEN: Deep divisions over child brides] - IRIN, March 28, 2010</ref>
 
In some cases, Muhammad and Aisha's relationship is used to effectively "turn back the clock" by legalizing child marriages in places they were previously illegal. For example; in 2010, the Malaysian State of southern Malacca legalized child marriages specifically between adult Muslim men and young Muslim girls ''below'' the age of 16. Ivy Josiah, the executive director of the ''Women's Aid Organisation'', noted "Child marriage amounts to paedophilia ... It is really a regressive move. It is turning back the clock."<ref name="World News Australia">[{{Reference archive|1=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/outcry-over-malaysian-child-marriages-20100804-11fey.html|2=2011-10-25}} Outcry over Malaysian child marriages] - Sydney Morning Herald, August 4, 2010</ref>
 
The Islamic texts themselves specifically destroy any appeals to cultural relativism that could be otherwise aimed at Muhammad's marriage. In Sahih Bukhari, Muhammad claimed it was Allah's will (through a dream)<ref>"''....You were shown to me twice (in my dream) before I married you. I saw an angel carrying you in a silken piece of cloth, and I said to him, 'Uncover (her),' and behold, it was you. I said (to myself), 'If this is from Allah, then it must happen.....''" - {{Bukhari|9|87|140}}</ref> that he marry Aisha. Thus, it was not the primitive Arabian culture that led to his marriage, but the "timeless" morality of Allah.
 
====The Jewish Talmud says sex with a little girl is permitted if she is three years of age====
 
The claim that the Talmud says "Sexual intercourse with a little girl is permitted if she is three years of age," is an [[antisemitism|antisemitic]] lie. Yevamot 11b, the citation provided with this claim, has no relevant passage.
 
Whilst the language used is very crude, the discussion relates to the dowry for virgins and non-virgins. It has nothing to do with what acts are allowed, encouraged, forbidden, or discouraged. It is ironic that this passage has been manipulated from its original context of a financial discussion into one of a religious discussion. While there are numerous Talmudic passages of a religious nature, this one discusses dowries and not forbidden and permitted relations.<ref>Gil Student - [{{Reference archive|1=http://talmud.faithweb.com/articles/three.html|2=2012-03-23}} The Talmud Does Not Permit Sex With A Three Year Old] - The Real Truth About The Talmud, accessed March 23, 2012</ref>
 
====Mary married 90-year-old Joseph when she was 12-14, so Joseph was a pedophile too====
 
Everyone who makes this claim, cite the same New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia page.<ref>Charles Souvay - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm|2=2011-10-24}} St. Joseph] - The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 24 Oct. 2011</ref> What they do not mention is that this page begins by warning readers, "the apocryphal literature is full of details, the non-admittance of these works into the Canon of the Sacred Books casts a ''strong suspicion upon their contents''".<ref name="Catholic Encyclopedia 1">"''The chief sources of information on the life of St. Joseph are the first chapters of our first and third Gospels; they are practically also the only reliable sources, for, whilst, on the holy patriarch's life, as on many other points connected with the Saviour's history which are left untouched by the canonical writings, the apocryphal literature is full of details, the non-admittance of these works into the Canon of the Sacred Books casts a strong suspicion upon their contents; and, even granted that some of the facts recorded by them may be founded on trustworthy traditions, it is in most instances next to impossible to discern and sift these particles of true history from the fancies with which they are associated. Among these apocryphal productions dealing more or less extensively with some episodes of St. Joseph's life may be noted the so-called "Gospel of James", the "Pseudo-Matthew", the "Gospel of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary", the "Story of Joseph the Carpenter", and the "Life of the Virgin and Death of Joseph".''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm|2=2011-10-24}} St. Joseph] - Charles Souvay, The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 24 Oct. 2011</ref>
 
According to Wikipedia, apocrypha is defined as "spurious", "of questionable authenticity", and "Christian texts that are not canonical."<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrypha|2=2011-10-24}} Apocrypha] - Wikipedia, accessed October 24, 2011</ref> Thus they can be considered as the Christian equivalent of da`if (weak) or maudu [[List of Fabricated Hadith|(fabricated) hadith]].
 
Something that is non-canonical is not binding on a follower and can be ignored. There is no authoritative Christian text which state Mary's age. Claims about her age are, at best, educated guesses, but guesses none-the-less. Bukhari and Muslim, on the other hand, are canonical Islamic writings of the utmost religious authenticity, accepted by approximately 90 percent of the world's Muslims.
 
Even if we do accept this tu-quoque logical fallacy as a valid argument, there remains several problems. The first being the fact that the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia page does not say Mary married Joseph when she was aged 12 to 14.
 
What it actually says, after warning readers once again that the stories are "unreliable", is that Mary was 12 to 14 at the time of the choosing of candidates, and the Annunciation (the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the ''virgin'' called Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus)<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annunciation|2=2011-10-24}} Annunciation] - Wikipedia, accessed October 24, 2011</ref> took place two years later.<ref name="Catholic Encyclopedia 2">"''It will not be without interest to recall here, unreliable though they are, the lengthy stories concerning St. Joseph's marriage contained in the apocryphal writings. When forty years of age, Joseph married a woman called Melcha or Escha by some, Salome by others; they lived forty-nine years together and had six children, two daughters and four sons, the youngest of whom was James (the Less, "the Lord's brother"). A year after his wife's death, as the priests announced through Judea that they wished to find in the tribe of Juda a respectable man to espouse Mary, then twelve to fourteen years of age. Joseph, who was at the time ninety years old, went up to Jerusalem among the candidates; a miracle manifested the choice God had made of Joseph, and two years later the Annunciation took place. These dreams, as St. Jerome styles them, from which many a Christian artist has drawn his inspiration (see, for instance, Raphael's "Espousals of the Virgin"), are void of authority; they nevertheless acquired in the course of ages some popularity; in them some ecclesiastical writers sought the answer to the well-known difficulty arising from the mention in the Gospel of "the Lord's brothers"; from them also popular credulity has, contrary to all probability, as well as to the tradition witnessed by old works of art, retained the belief that St. Joseph was an old man at the time of marriage with the Mother of God.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm|2=2011-10-24}} St. Joseph] - Charles Souvay, The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 24 Oct. 2011</ref> This would make Mary 14 to 16 at the time of her marriage, not 12 to 14, or 9, as was the case between Muhammad and Aisha. She would have been a teenager of child-bearing age, not a pre-pubescent pre-teen child.
 
Another problem is that the theological significance of Joseph and Muhammad to the Christian and Islamic faiths are incomparable. Unlike the Muslim view of Muhammad, Christians do not consider Joseph to be an uswa hasana (excellent model of conduct). Joseph's moral character holds no importance within Christian theology. He could have been insane and it would not matter to a Christian.
 
Then there is the fact that, according to both the Christian scriptures and the Islamic ones, Mary was a virgin when she conceived and gave birth to Jesus; therefore, her relationship with Joseph could not have been a sexual one until after Jesus' birth, making her possibly 17 years of age at the time the marriage was eventually consummated, if ever.
 
Indeed, the same New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia page continues the narrative of Joseph's life by stating both Mary and Joseph entered the marriage with the understanding that it was never to be consummated.<ref name="Catholic Encyclopedia 4">"''This marriage, true and complete, was, in the intention of the spouses, to be virgin marriage (cf. St. Augustine, "De cons. Evang.", II, i in P.L. XXXIV, 1071-72; "Cont. Julian.", V, xii, 45 in P.L. XLIV, 810; St. Thomas, III:28; III:29:2). But soon was the faith of Joseph in his spouse to be sorely tried: she was with child. However painful the discovery must have been for him, unaware as he was of the mystery of the Incarnation, his delicate feelings forbade him to defame his affianced, and he resolved "to put her away privately; but while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. . . And Joseph, rising from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife" (Matthew 1:19, 20, 24).''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08504a.htm|2=2011-10-24}} St. Joseph] - Charles Souvay, The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 24 Oct. 2011</ref>
 
Mary's Perpetual virginity, the belief that Mary remained a virgin her entire life, is an essential article of faith for the majority of the worlds Christians (including the Roman Catholic, Anglo-Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Christians). It is even held by some Muslims.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_virginity_of_Mary|2=2011-10-24}} Perpetual virginity of Mary] - Wikipedia, accessed October 24, 2011</ref>
 
Finally, the most decisive argument against the claim that Joseph was a pedophile is the fact that the same non-canonical writings which are used to gather information on Joseph and Mary's age, also confirm Mary's status as "ever virgin" (in The History of Joseph the Carpenter, Jesus says on Joseph's death "my mother, virgin undefiled").<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.interfaith.org/christianity/apocrypha/new-testament-apocrypha/6/4.php|2=2011-10-24}} The History of Joseph the Carpenter] - Interfaith Online, accessed October 24, 2011</ref>
 
====Catholic & Eastern Churches believe pedophile Joseph is a Saint, that's the same as an Uswa Hasana in Islam====
 
A saint and an uswa hasana are nothing alike. The entire Islamic faith, almost all of its laws, rituals, and moral principles, are defined by the uswa hasana's actions. A saint has no similar function in Christianity. Their actions do not determine Christian laws, rituals, or moral principles in any way. Joan of Arc and countless others are Catholic saints too, but that means very little to how one practices Christianity.
 
Muhammad is the central figure of Islam, Joseph is not the central figure of Christianity. Islam wouldn't exist if Muslims decided Muhammad was immoral. On the other hand, for Christians of any stripe, Joseph is a "non entity" as far as its theology is concerned. The closest analogy to Muhammad and an uswa hasana in Christianity is the figure of Jesus, and very few non-Christians would argue that their view of Christians and Christianity would not improve if his followers behaved more like him.
 
In addition, it is the same Catholic and Eastern Churches which consider Joseph a saint, who also hold to the belief of Mary's perpetual virginity. Since Mary's ever-lasting virginity is an integral part or "pillar" of their faith, and most modern theologians think the Pope could reverse a sainthood without undermining the Church's doctrines,<ref>Brian Palmer - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2010/04/your_halo_please.html|2=2012-02-04}} Your Halo, Please?] - Slate Magazine, April 5, 2010</ref> it's not hard to imagine what would have become of Joseph's saint status if he did have intercourse with Mary.
 
Furthermore, as has already been stated in the previous section, Joseph cannot be labeled as a pedophile by anyones standards because there is no authoritative, or even apocryphal, Christian text that state an adult Joseph had sex with a child Mary. Therefore, even if the status of saint was equivalent to that of an uswa hasana, it would not matter to a Christian or help Muslims in excusing the actions of Muhammad.
 
====If Muhammad was a pedophile, then so is the Christian god for impregnating Mary====
 
Ignoring the fact that a pedophile by its very definition means someone who is sexually attracted to pre-pubescent children, so a teenager of child-bearing age is not pre-pubescent, it has already been shown in a [[#Mary_married_90-year-old_Joseph_when_she_was_12-14.2C_so_Joseph_was_a_pedophile_too|previous section]] that there is no authoritative Christian text which state Mary's age. Claims about her age are, at best, educated guesses, but guesses none-the-less.
 
Additionally, the apocryphal literature (the Christian equivalent of [[List of Fabricated Hadith|weak or fabricated hadith]]) used to gather information on Mary's possible age actually reveal she may have been 16 at the time of her marriage, not 12 or 14.
 
Even if we were to assume she was 12 or 14 at the time, there still remain several problems with this claim.
 
According to the Bible, Mary became with child by "the power of the Highest",<ref>"''And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.''" - Luke 1:35 ([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A35&version=KJV King James Version])</ref> a phrase that does not, or does not necessarily, correspond to Mary being "impregnated."
 
Even if we do accept that the Christian god "impregnated" Mary, both Christians and Muslims believe God is omnipotent. Therefore sexual intercourse, something which would have to take place if we were to accept this claim, is not necessary in order to achieve this. For example, [[W:Artificial_insemination|artificial insemination]] needs no sexual intercourse. If humans can impregnate people without sexual intercourse, why can't an omnipotent deity do the same?
 
Muslims also believe in the virgin birth. So, if Muslims insist the Christian god must have had sex with Mary in order to have a son, it is tantamount to an admission that, according to Islam, Allah must have also had sex with Mary in order for her to conceive Jesus.
 
In short; the Christian text do not mention anything of a sexual nature, i.e. there was no penis involved. If there was no penis involved, then there was no sexual contact. Without sexual contact, there is no pedophilia.
 
Conversely, the Qur'an explicitly tells us Allah (or Gabriel if we refer to the tafsir text) [[Allah: I sent Jibreel to blow into Mary's Vagina|blew into Mary's vagina]] in order for her to conceive Jesus.
 
====Americans and Europeans both considered child marriages to be acceptable====
 
Yes, that is correct. But note the past tense. They ''considered'', not ''consider''. Marriage to young girls was previously seen as normal, and yet most people in the West today, both religious and secular, find child marriages to be repulsive. Could this be because they have no uswa hasana (an excellent model of conduct) who married and had sex with a child?
 
Man-made laws have evidently evolved with our morality, whilst [[Shari'ah]] (consisting of the Qur'an and [[Sunnah]]) are seen as Allah's unalterable holy law. To attempt to change it would be considered blasphemous, as it constitutes [[Bid'ah]], something which was forbidden by Muhammad himself.<ref>"''A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.''" - {{Muslim|18|4266}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Aisha: Allah's Apostle said, "If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected.''" - {{Bukhari|3|49|861}}</ref> What can be altered is Islamic jurisprudence, but as that is extracted from, and cannot contradict,<ref>Khalid Baig - [http://www.albalagh.net/general/bidah.shtml Sunnah and Bid'ah] - Albalagh, May 5, 2001</ref><ref>[http://www.alahazrat.net/islam/concept-of-bidah-in-islam.php Concept of Bidah in Islam] - Alahazrat International Islamic Web</ref> Shari'ah, the results tend to remain unacceptable to the modern world.
 
The world has moved on, but unfortunately Islam mostly has not.
 
{{Core Pedophilia}}
 
==See Also==
 
*[[Refutation to Muslim Apologetics against Aisha's Age of Consummation]]
*[[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Aisha]] ''- Islamic sources relating to Aisha''
 
==External Links==
 
*[http://www.muslimhope.com/AishaNine.htm A’isha: Mohammed’s Nine-Year Old Wife] ''- MuslimHope''
*[http://www.answering-islam.org/Silas/childbrides.htm Muhammad, Aisha, Islam, and Child Brides] ''- [[Answering Islam‎]]''
*[http://www.answeringislam.info/Authors/Wood/pedophile.htm Was Muhammad a Pedophile? An Examination of Muhammad’s Relationship with a Nine-Year-Old Girl] ''- [[Answering Islam‎]]''
*[http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23452&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 Let's clear up all this pedophilia garbage...] ''- [[Faith Freedom International‎|FFI]] forum discussion on another defence of Muhammad's marriage to a child''
*[http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45082&start=120 Was Prophet Muhammad a Pedophile?] ''- [[Faith Freedom International‎|FFI]] forum discussion on why Mohammed actually waited 3 years before consummation''
 
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
 
[[Category: Muhammad and Aisha]]
[[Category:Pedophilia]]
[[Category:Muhammad]]
[[Category:Islam and Women]]

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