because she is a virgin—even if she is an intelligent, discerning adult, who knows what benefits and harms her, and whose intellect is a thousand times greater than her father’s. Their evidence is that Abu Bakr married his daughter Aisha to the Prophet when she was six years old, and the Messenger consummated the marriage with her when she was nine years old (1).

We say to them: This is authentic, established evidence, but your inference from it is unsound. Do you know that Abu Bakr sought Aisha’s permission and that she refused?

The answer is: We do not know that. Rather, we know with certainty that, had her father sought Aisha’s permission, she would not have refused. The Prophet gave her the choice, just as Allah commanded him:

“O Prophet, say to your wives, ‘If you desire the life of this world and its adornment, then come: I will provide for you and release you graciously. But if you desire Allah, His Messenger, and the Abode of the Hereafter, then Allah has certainly prepared a great reward for those among you who do good.’” [al-Ahzab]

That is, with kindness, good treatment, and a provision of wealth. The first of them with whom he began was Aisha, and the Prophet said to her, “Consult your parents about this and seek their counsel.” She replied, “Should I consult my parents about this? Indeed, I desire Allah and the Abode of the Hereafter” (2). Thus, someone of her disposition, if her permission had been sought the first time to marry