Ramadhan Day 2 - Quran, Chapter 2

Surah 2, Al-Baqarah (The Cow), Verses 142-252

Chapter 2 continues with Surah al-Baqarah and covers sections 17 to 33.

Surah 2, Al-Baqarah (The Cow)

Section 17: The Kaaba fixed as the Qiblah of the Muslims, verses 142-147

"Thus We have appointed you a middle nation, that ye may be witnesses against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against you. And We appointed the qiblah which ye formerly observed only that We might know him who followeth the messenger, from him who turneth on his heels. In truth it was a hard (test) save for those whom Allah guided. But it was not Allah's purpose that your faith should be in vain, for Allah is Full of Pity, Merciful toward mankind." (Verse 143)

Following on from earlier in the Surah, section 15 where the construction of the Kaaba by Prophet Abraham is mentioned, here the Qiblah is confirmed as the Holy Kaaba, towards which all Muslims pray. Originally the Qiblah was towards Jerusalem, Baytul-Maqdis, the same as the Jews. At the time the Jews used it as a display of their superiority over the Muslims and there was much outcry from them when the direction changed. It was a test from Allah to see who truly believed in the message of the Holy Prophet.

Section 18: House built by Abraham sanctified as the Qiblah, verses 148-152

"And whencesoever thou comest forth (for prayer, O Muhammad) turn thy face toward the Inviolable Place of Worship. Lo! it is the Truth from thy Lord. Allah is not unaware of what ye do." (Verse 149)

"Therefore remember Me, I will remember you. Give thanks to Me, and reject not Me." (Verse 152)

The importance and the sanctity of the Holy Kaaba has been established by binding all Muslims to turn their faces towards it, wherever and in whatever circumstances they may be during prayer. 

It was after these verses were revealed that the Holy Prophet famously changed direction during his prayers. The Angel Gabriel visited him during his prayers instructing him to change Qiblah towards the Mecca and the Holy Kaaba. Only a few Muslims followed his change during the prayer, including Imam Ali (as).

Section 19: Hard trials, necessity of patience, verses 153-163

"And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah "dead." Nay, they are living, only ye perceive not. And surely We shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the steadfast, Who say, when a misfortune striketh them: Lo! we are Allah's and lo! unto Him we are returning." (Verses 154-156)

"Lo! Those who hide the proofs and the guidance which We revealed, after We had made it clear to mankind in the Scripture: such are accursed of Allah and accursed of those who have the power to curse. Except those who repent and amend and make manifest (the truth). These it is toward whom I relent. I am the Relenting, the Merciful." (Verses 159-160)

I think verses 154-156 are amongst the most powerful in the Holy Quran and something that resonates throughout the early history of Islam and especially during Muharrum when we commemorate the tragedy of Karbala, the greatest test of patience and stead-fastness for Imam Husain (as) and his loyal companions. Verse 156 serves as a great reminder of how temporary our time on this Earth is and we shall all return to Allah sooner or later.

Those who recognise falsehood and condemn it, undoubtedly revert to the path of reality through repentance and true submission. Allah is ever-available for those who turn away from their nafs. Allah will always be there as a mercy for us if we turn towards him in repentance.

Section 20: Unity of God, Fate of the Polytheists, verses 164-167

"And those who were but followers will say: If a return were possible for us, we would disown them even as they have disowned us. Thus will Allah show them their own deeds as anguish for them, and they will not emerge from the Fire." (Verse 167)

By the time the Day of Judgement arrives, those who turned away from the Prophets, who deny the existence of Allah will be condemned to hell. To highlight their folly, those who they worshipped will turn around and disown them. It's clear that there will be no negotiation at that point, they've made their bed and will be invited to lay in it.

Section 21: To take only lawful and clean food, verses 168-176

"O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome in the earth, and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you." (Verse 168)

"The likeness of those who disbelieve (in relation to the messenger) is as the likeness of one who calleth unto that which heareth naught except a shout and cry. Deaf, dumb, blind, therefore they have no sense. O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you, and render thanks to Allah if it is (indeed) He Whom ye worship." (Verse 171-172)

Allah makes it clear: Shaitan is our open enemy. Those who cover themselves with the dark veil of ignorance are deaf, dumb and blind, therefore, the impact of the call of the message of Allah is lost. There is no response. The kafir is devoid of understanding. 

The Holy Prophet and the Holy Imams have enjoined to say Bismillah before eating, and to say Alhamdulillah after eating. In this way eating, an act of unification at the physical level, becomes a function of devotion. The state of gratitude to Allah is bound to increase love for Allah, and thus increases the quality of worship and devotion.

Section 22: Genuine righteousness & retaliation, verses 177-182

"It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Scripture and the prophets; and giveth wealth, for love of Him, to kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observeth proper worship and payeth the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the Allah-fearing." (Verse 177)

"O ye who believe! Retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the murdered; the freeman for the freeman, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. And for him who is forgiven somewhat by his (injured) brother, prosecution according to usage and payment unto him in kindness. This is an alleviation and a mercy from your Lord. He who transgresseth after this will have a painful doom." (Verse 178)

"It is prescribed for you, when death approacheth one of you, if he leave wealth, that he bequeath unto parents and near relatives in kindness. (This is) a duty for all those who ward off (evil)." (Verse 180)

The true definition and application of righteousness is highlighted in the above verse. According to the Holy Prophet, whoever puts verse 177 into practice attains perfection in faith. Faith in Allah and welfare of mankind has been founded as the essence of the religion of Islam.

Islam promotes the values of justice, there is no 'turn the other cheek' mentality that Christianity prescribes which leads to resentment. Instead we are allowed to seek justice when wronged but to be able to forgive is worthy of a great reward from Allah.

The Holy Quran instructs all believers to have a will. What one leaves behind should be clearly defined, according to the law of inheritance as well as one's own wishes. No vagueness is allowed in Islam, because the path is that of awareness, discrimination, and knowledge. Was the Holy Prophet allowed to state his own wishes at the time of his passing?

Section 23: Fasting during Ramadhan, Rights of property, verses 183-188

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil)" (Verse 183)

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful." (Verse 185)

"And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright." (Verse 186)

Fasting is one of the obligatory functions of the faith, next only to the prescribed prayers, in importance. It trains the Muslims to guard themselves against evil as well as conditions them to suffer physical affliction and exercise self control in the defence of faith and the faithful. The fasting of the pious man is to curb sensory desires, to refrain from looking at the unlawful, hearing the harmful, and thinking about the distasteful, or about what stimulates the lower nature.

The month of Ramadan is that in which the complete Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet in the night of Qadr. Thereafter he was intimated to deliver it gradually to the people as and when Allah deemed it suitable. The Quran is a guidance to mankind, and the Holy Prophet had been sent as a messenger to all mankind; therefore, Islam is a universal religion.

Section 24: Fighting in self-defence, Pilgrimage under restrictions, verses 189-196

"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Inviolable Place of Worship until they first attack you there, but if they attack you (there) then slay them. Such is the reward of disbelievers. But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Verses 190-192)

Verse 191 is infamously known as the 'Verse of the Sword', although there is no actual mention of a sword. It is one of the classic verses taken completely out of context by ignoring the verse before and the verse after. In these verses Muslims are only permitted to fight in self-defence - when there is no option and in the face of persecution.

The order is to kill the enemy (against whom fighting has been enjoined) wherever they are found, whilst the war goes on. It does not refer to unbelievers in general. "...And drive them out of the places whence they drove you out" refers to Mecca, wherein the Holy Kaaba, the centre of Islam, is located, because it belonged to the Muslims but was usurped by the infidels unlawfully. I have discussed this in more detail in an earlier blog.

Section 25: No warfare during the Pilgrimage months, Warning against the hypocrites, verses 197-210

"And of them (also) is he who saith: "Our Lord! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of Fire." (Verse 201)

"And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah; and Allah hath compassion on (His) bondmen." (Verse 207)

"O ye who believe! Come, all of you, into submission (unto Him); and follow not the footsteps of the devil. Lo! he is an open enemy for you." (Verse 208)

Verse 201 is commonly recited in Qunoot during the 5 prayers. We are reminded to glorify Allah and invoke Him to grant us good in this world, and good in the hereafter. Islam guides man to achieve success in both the worlds. This prayer, for both the lives taught to the Muslims by the Quran, indicates that Islam wants man to adopt the middle course between materialism and asceticism. 

Verse 207 was revealed in praise of Imam Ali (as) when he slept in the bed of the Holy Prophet when his life was under threat by the Quraysh and their allies.

"O ye who believe" are those who know and believe in the religion but are unaware of the scope and extent of the depth of iman, so they are invited to surrender and submit with perfect belief and thorough conviction; then alone they will not follow the footsteps of Shaitan, who is an open enemy.

Section 26: Rejection of the Signs and Apostles from God, verses 211-216

"Or think ye that ye will enter paradise while yet there hath not come unto you the like of (that which came to) those who passed away before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When cometh Allah's help? Now surely Allah's help is nigh" (Verse 214)

This verse was revealed during the Battle of Khandaq when the Muslim army where becoming restless and nervous due to the ferocity of the enemies attacks, in particular Amr bin Abdwud. The Holy Prophet repeatedly asked his army for someone to engage in man-to-man combat and each time only Imam Ali (as) accepted the challenge and duly struck him down. "Now surely Allah's help is nigh" was revealed in praise of the faith, strength and bravery of Imam Ali (as).

Section 27: Questions about various topics, verses 217-221

"Lo! those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape the persecution) and strive in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. They question thee about strong drink and games of chance. Say: In both is great sin, and (some) utility for men; but the sin of them is greater than their usefulness. And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous. Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect." (Verses 218-219)

Sections 28 & 29: Regulation about divorce & respect for law verses 222-231

"Allah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths. But He will take you to task for that which your hearts have garnered. Allah is Forgiving, Clement. Those who forswear their wives must wait four months; then, if they change their mind, lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. And if they decide upon divorce (let them remember that) Allah is Hearer, Knower." (Verses 225-227)

Before Islam, it was a custom among the Arabs that when a husband avowed to discontinue conjugal relations with his wife, the wife was left in a lurch - neither a married woman nor a divorcee. The Quran ignores the swearing concerning disassociation with wives and gives four months for reconsideration and reconciliation; after which, if the husband still desires separation he should divorce his wife, otherwise the wife can refer the matter to the hakim shara (competent authority on Islamic laws) and obtain freedom from the bond of marriage to wed someone else.

According to the Holy Prophet, of all the permissible acts, divorce is the one most disliked by Allah, so as to keep in check any indiscriminate use of this pragmatic sanction. Therefore, in Islam, divorce is the most loathsome of the permitted acts. Marriage is an alliance of two individuals who love each other. Without love and understanding, it becomes a soulless body. In this situation, the sooner it is undone the better.

"When ye have divorced women, and they have reached their term, then retain them in kindness or release them in kindness. Retain them not to their hurt so that ye transgress (the limits). He who doeth that hath wronged his soul. Make not the revelations of Allah a laughing-stock (by your behaviour), but remember Allah's grace upon you and that which He hath revealed unto you of the Scripture and of wisdom, whereby He doth exhort you. Observe your duty to Allah and know that Allah is Aware of all things." (Verse 231)

After the third, final and irrevocable pronouncement of divorce the husband cannot take his divorced wife back until she marries another man and the next husband agrees to divorce her. This is a sufficient reason to conclude that all the three pronouncements of Talaq cannot be said at one time.

A husband has the right to divorce his wife but he cannot abuse her or refuse to pay her dues. Whoever does this, exceeds the limits (disobeys Allah's commandments). He must set her free with kindness and give her all her entitlements. The laws of Allah should not be taken in mockery. It shows how serious is the matter of divorce.

According to the teachings of the Holy Imams, it is also absolutely necessary that the pronouncement must be made by the husband in the presence of two just witnesses; non-fulfilment of this condition renders the divorce null and void.

Sections 30 & 31: Re-marriage negotiations & extra provision for divorced women, verses 232-242

"Mothers shall suckle their children for two whole years; (that is) for those who wish to complete the suckling. The duty of feeding and clothing nursing mothers in a seemly manner is upon the father of the child. No-one should be charged beyond his capacity. A mother should not be made to suffer because of her child, nor should he to whom the child is born (be made to suffer) because of his child. And on the (father's) heir is incumbent the like of that (which was incumbent on the father). If they desire to wean the child by mutual consent and (after) consultation, it is no sin for them; and if ye wish to give your children out to nurse, it is no sin for you, provide that ye pay what is due from you in kindness. Observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is Seer of what ye do." (Verse 233)

"If ye divorce them before ye have touched them and ye have appointed unto them a portion, then (pay the) half of that which ye appointed, unless they (the women) agree to forgo it, or he agreeth to forgo it in whose hand is the marriage tie. To forgo is nearer to piety. And forget not kindness among yourselves. Allah is Seer of what ye do." (Verse 237)

Many Muslim women continue to breast-feed for the recommended two years as mentioned above, but Allah clearly explains that it should not be to the detriment of their well-being. 

Throughout the discussion of divorce in the Holy Quran, Allah is stressing the importance of treating the woman with kindness and ensuring that she is given what is due to her and preferably more if possible. Despite the separation it is the women's right to be adequately taken care of before both parties move on.

Section 32: Fight in the cause of God, verses 243-248

"Fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is Hearer, Knower. Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold? Allah straiteneth and enlargeth. Unto Him ye will return." (Verses 244-245)

"Their Prophet said unto them: Lo! Allah hath raised up Saul to be a king for you. They said: How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of the kingdom than he is, since he hath not been given wealth enough? He said: Lo! Allah hath chosen him above you, and hath increased him abundantly in wisdom and stature. Allah bestoweth His Sovereignty on whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing." (Verse 247)

The rewards of a goodly loan, offered to Allah to seek His pleasure only, are manifold. It brings about echoes of the goodness of the creator. The return from the merciful Lord corresponds to the purity and sincerity of the intention of the lender. This goodly loan, in this verse, refers to the spending in the way of Allah and striving in the cause of Allah.

Although verse 247 actually refers to the story of Prophet Samuel who was requested to appoint a King for the Jews, this verse highlights how only Allah can appoint a true leader, true guide. It was Allah who appointed Imam Ali (as) as the Holy Prophet's true successor regardless of what took place following his demise.

Section 33: David's victory over Goliath, verses 249-253

"These are the portents of Allah which We recite unto thee (Muhammad) with truth, and lo! thou art of the number of (Our) messengers; Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spake, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degree; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the holy Spirit. And if Allah had so wiled it, those who followed after them would not have fought one with another after the clear proofs had come unto them. But they differed, some of them believing and some disbelieving. And if Allah had so willed it, they would not have fought one with another; but Allah doeth what He will." (Verses 252-253)

The symbolic events that took place in ancient times have been reported, in the Quran, to condition the minds of the Muslims for coping with similar exigencies and occurrences, most likely to happen again and again.

Although all the Prophets of Allah are equally truthful and holy, some of Allah's messengers are of a higher rank. Here both Prophet Musa and Prophet Isa are mentioned to highlight their role as reformers. Prophet Musa was directly addressed by Allah and Prophet Isa was assisted with the Holy Spirit (more on this in later chapters). Both these prophets of Allah glorified the Holy Prophet and gave to the people the glad tidings of his arrival.

That concludes Chapter 2, tomorrow sees the conclusion of Surah al-Baqarah inshallah and the start of the 3rd Surah of the Holy Quran.

Thanks for reading.

Ramadhan Day 1 - Quran, Chapter 1

Surah 1, Fateha (The Opening) 7 Verses & Surah 2, Al Baqarah (The Cow), Verses 1-141

Surah Fateha needs no introduction, it is arguably the most important Surah in the entire Quran. We recite it at least nine times every day in our daily prayers, infact no prayer (wajib or otherwise) can be recited without Surah Fateha.

The commentary on the seven verses of Surah Fateha is extensive and detailed, as it should be for a Surah which has been described as "the meaning of the Holy Quran as a whole synthesised into this Surah - Ummal Quran (the essence of Quran)." When reading the Surah we are educated with the essential knowledge of the basic fundamentals of life in this world and the hereafter.

As a small point of interest, it is the only Surah which counts Bismillah as an actual verse of that Surah. Of course we start with Bismillah when we recite any Surah (except Surah 9 - Al-Tauba), or any part of the Quran, but the seven verses of Fateha includes Bismillah-hir-Rahman-nir-Rahim as verse one.

For me, the stand-out verse has always been verse 3: "The Beneficent, the Merciful," simply because it is a repeat of the end of the first verse. Therefore it highlights how important Allah's mercy is and it is something we should always be cognisant of, no matter what situation or circumstance we find ourselves in. Allah is always the most merciful.

Next comes the longest Surah in the Quran, Al-Baqarah (The Cow). Chapter 1 has the first 141 verses (out of 286). The Surah was revealed at Madina and has 40 sections. Chapter 1 includes the first 16 sections.

Surah 1, al-Baqarah (The Cow)
Section 1: The essential requisites of the correct belief, verses 1-7

"This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off (evil). Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have bestowed upon them; And who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter. These depend on guidance from their Lord. These are the successful." (Verses 2-5)

The pious are those who believe not only in the truthfulness of the Holy Quran, but also in the Holy books sent down to the Prophets of Allah before Prophet Muhammed (SAWW). No other religion besides Islam, enjoins as an article of faith, the belief in the truthfulness of all the messengers of Allah and the Holy scriptures.

Section 2: The Hypocrites, verses 8-20

"In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie. And when it is said unto them: Make not mischief in the earth, they say: We are peacemakers only. Are not they indeed the mischief-makers? But they perceive not. And when it is said unto them: believe as the people believe, they say: shall we believe as the foolish believe? are not they indeed the foolish? But they know not." (Verses 10-13)

This is arguably one of the biggest themes throughout the Quran, the exposing of the Hypocrites. There are several mentions of the hypocrites and no matter what they plot or perceive, only Allah knows the truth and what lies in their hearts. 

Section 3: A challenge to the disbelievers about the Holy Quran, verses 21-29

"And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We reveal unto Our slave (Muhammad), then produce a surah of the like thereof, and call your witness beside Allah if ye are truthful." (Verse 23)

Allah has thrown down an open challenge to mankind to compose even one Surah in the style and manner of the Holy Quran. This laid to rest all attempts at slander and rumour that the Holy Quran was a fabrication of the human mind.

Section 4: The Divine Plan in Man's creation, verses 30-39

"And He taught Adam all the names, then showed them to the angels, saying: Inform Me of the names of these, if ye are truthful. They said: Be glorified! We have no knowledge saving that which Thou hast taught us. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Knower, the Wise. He said: O Adam! Inform them of their names, and when he had informed them of their names, He said: Did I not tell you that I know the secret of the heavens and the earth? And I know that which ye disclose and which ye hide." (Verses 31-33)

Man has the ability to decide, for free will, which has not been bestowed on the Angels who have been created to worship Allah. As the above verses highlight, Prophet Adam was blessed with the knowledge of the 'names'. Who were the 'names'? It has been argued that the 'names' refer to the 'Names of Allah', but the Angels knew of many names of Allah. The 'names' referred to here are none other than the Ahlul-Bayt, and specifically, Prophet Muhammed (SAWW), Imam Ali (as), Bibi Fatima (as), Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husain (as).

Knowledge of the names was what set Prophet Adam apart from the Angels and Jinns, namely Iblis (Shaitan), whose pride got the best of him. He refused to bow to Adam as commanded by Allah, explained in verses 35-39.

Section 5: Fulfilment of the Covenant, verses 40-46

"O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and fulfil your (part of the) covenant, I shall fulfil My (part of the) covenant, and fear Me. And believe in that which I reveal, confirming that which ye possess already (of the Scripture), and be not first to disbelieve therein, and part not with My revelations for a trifling price, and keep your duty unto Me. Confound not truth with falsehood, nor knowingly conceal the truth." (Verses 40-42)

"Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded, Who know that they will have to meet their Lord, and that unto Him they are returning." (Verses 45-46)

The covenant that Allah shall fulfil is actually outlined in the Bible. "I will raise up for them a prophet like you (Musa), and I will put my words into his mouth. He shall convey all my commands to them, and if any one does not listen to the words which he will speak, I will require satisfaction from him." (Deut 18:18-19) It states the arrival of the Holy Prophet which is also confirmed by Prophet Isa: "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another to be your advocate, who will be with for ever - the spirit of truth. Your advocate will teach you everything, and will call to mind all that I have told you." (John 14: 16 & 26)

Throughout the Holy Quran, the Children of Israel continue to be mentioned, normally to be advised and warned about their behaviour. Here, Allah is exhorting the Bani Israel to accept the Quran and acknowledge the mention of the Holy Prophet in their own Holy Scriptures (the Torah and Injeel).

Islam and the Holy Quran continually highlight the importance of prayer and has made it a compulsory act for all Muslims. Whereas Jews and Christians have the option of prayer, for Muslims it is one of the foundations of our faith and a important part of everyday life.

Section 6: Children of Israel warned, verses 47-59

"O Children of Israel! Remember My favour wherewith I favoured you and how I preferred you to (all) creatures." (Verse 47)

"And guard yourselves against a day when no soul will in aught avail another, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be received from it, nor will they be helped." (Verse 48)

"And when We did appoint for Moses forty nights (of solitude), and then ye chose the calf, when he had gone from you, and were wrong-doers." (Verse 51)

Allah highlights the blessings that the Children of Israel received, they were his chosen people. There were more Prophets among them than the rest of the people of the world put together. Allah saved them from the cursed Pharaoh and provided several blessings and despite that they still fell into degradation and disbelief.

The verse mentioning intercession is often used to attack the Shia concept of turning to the Prophet and the Holy Imams for help and support. However, in this context it is not condemning intercession but simply stating that on the Day of Judgement, it will be too late for help from anyone else. We have led our life, committed our deeds (good and bad) and it is now time for judgement.

The story of Prophet Musa is mentioned throughout the Quran and this part is the most shocking for me. After being saved from Pharaoh and escaping through the split in the Red Sea, when Prophet Musa left his tribe for a mere 40 days (appointing Prophet Haroon in his place), his followers still managed to abandon him, abandon Allah and return to idol worshipping. Idolatry was ingrained in these people.

Section 7: Moses' prayer and supply of water, verses 60-61

This section quickly touches upon one of Prophet Musa's miracles. Of all the Holy Prophets, he is mentioned the most times in the Holy Quran and will be discussed in more detail later.

Section 8: Salvation guaranteed for Believers in God, verses 62-71

"Lo! Those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans - whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." (Verse 62)

Section 9: Perverting the revealed Word of God, verses 72-82

"Among them are unlettered folk who know the Scripture not except from hearsay. They but guess. Therefore woe be unto those who write the Scripture with their hands and then say, "This is from Allah," that they may purchase a small gain therewith. Woe unto them for that their hands have written, and woe unto them for that they earn thereby. And they say: The Fire (of punishment) will not touch us save for a certain number of days. Say: Have ye received a covenant from Allah - truly Allah will not break His covenant - or tell ye concerning Allah that which ye know not?" (Verses 78-80)

Certain rabbis were condemned for keeping the knowledge of the Holy scriptures to themselves and who then told lies to the illiterates in order to exert and maintain power over them. They altered any mention of the Holy Prophet in their own scriptures, but by corrupting their books, they corrupted themselves.

Section 10: Covenant with the Children of Israel, verses 83-86

"And (remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, (saying): Worship none save Allah (only), and be good to parents and to kindred and to orphans and the needy, and speak kindly to mankind; and establish worship and pay the poor-due. Then, after that, ye slid back, save a few of you, being averse."(Verse 83)

A covenant is a contract of guidance. In this case it outlines the simple yet essential acts for every believer. Imagine if everyone carried out the commands in this verse. Would make for a far more peaceful and content community, society, world.

Section 11: Rejection and murder of the apostles of Allah, verses 87-96

"And when it is said unto them: Believe in that which Allah hath revealed, they say: We believe in that which was revealed unto us. And they disbelieve in that which cometh after it, though it is the truth confirming that which they possess. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Why then slew ye the prophets of Allah aforetime, if ye are (indeed) believers?" (Verse 91)

"Say (unto them): If the abode of the Hereafter in the providence of Allah is indeed for you alone and not for others of mankind (as ye pretend), then long for death (for ye must long for death) if ye are truthful." (Verse 94)

These verses are in reply to the arrogance of the Jews. The Jews, out of envy, denied that Allah had sent down Injil on the Prophet Isa and the Quran on the Holy Prophet. Although they said that they only believed in what was revealed to the Israelite Prophets, despite the prophecy of the promised Prophet in their book, they still killed their own Prophets.

The Jews thought that they were Allah's favourites to the exclusion of all other people, and they alone would go to paradise. This preposterous idea made them deny the Holy Prophet in spite of the clear proofs available in their book. If they were so specially favoured by Allah, they did not have to even take the trouble of praying for death; merely desiring it would have received His response. He who loves Allah loves death.

Section 12: Enmity towards Gabriel and the Apostles, verses 97-103

"Verily We have revealed unto thee clear tokens, and only miscreants will disbelieve in them. Is it ever so that when they make a covenant a party of them set it aside? The truth is, most of them believe not." (Verse 99-100)

The verses of the Quran are clear signs. Allah's authority is absolute. What His will bring about none can ever undo. Those who break the covenant made with Allah through any of His messengers are indeed the accursed unbelievers. Such a covenant was made with Allah by the Muslims through the Holy Prophet at Ghadir Khum. After him, they ignored the covenant and usurped Imam Ali's (as) right to guide the people.

Section 13: Abrogation of the former scriptures, verses 104-112

"Knowest thou not that it is Allah unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; and ye have not, beside Allah, any guardian or helper?" (Verse 107)

"And they say: None entereth paradise unless he be a Jew or a Christian. These are their own desires. Say: Bring your proof (of what ye state) if ye are truthful. Nay, but whosoever surrendereth his purpose to Allah while doing good, his reward is with his Lord; and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve." (Verses 111-112)

The Holy Prophet was fully aware of the original text of every scripture revealed to the messengers of Allah before him, and he also knew the additions, omissions and alterations made in them by their followers in the course of time. It was, therefore, made clear by him that the idea of "no one shall enter paradise except a Jew or a Christian" was a false concoction, not mentioned in any original scripture.

Section 14: Islam alone provides perfect guidance, verses 113-121

"And they say: Allah hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He glorified! Nay, but whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth is His. All are subservient unto Him. The Originator of the heavens and the earth! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is." (Verses 116-117)

The Jews and Christian like to attribute the Prophets as the sons of Allah which led to the corrupt idea that Prophet Isa is THE son of God. However, when everything in the heavens and the earth and in between them is the creation of Allah, it becomes meaningless to believe that anything, in any sense, can be equal to Him. The basic and the main doctrine of Islam is "the absolute unity" of Allah.

Section 15: Abraham made an Imam for mankind, verses 122-129

" And (remember) when his Lord tried Abraham with (His) commands, and he fulfilled them, He said: Lo! I have appointed thee a leader for mankind. (Abraham) said: And of my offspring (will there be leaders)? He said: My covenant includeth not wrong-doers." (Verse 124)

"And when We made the House (at Makka) a resort for mankind and sanctuary, (saying): Take as your place of worship the place where Abraham stood (to pray). And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael, (saying): Purify My house for those who go around and those who meditate therein and those who bow down and prostrate themselves (in worship). And when Abraham prayed: My Lord! Make this a region of security and bestow upon its people fruits, such of them as believe in Allah and the Last Day, He answered: As for him who disbelieveth, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the doom of Fire - a hapless journey's end!" (Verse 125-126)

To become an Imam, leader of mankind, Prophet Abraham had to pass a great trial, that of the supposed sacrifice of his son Prophet Ismail. An Imam has to be infallible, he cannot sin. Prophet Abraham was then given the responsibility of constructing the Holy Kaaba and he and his son prayed to Allah to accept their service, make them both Muslims (submissive to Allah), and also make their descendants Muslims, and raise up in them a messenger who would recite to them Allah's revelation, teach them the book and the wisdom and purify them.

Section 16: The religion of Abraham, the correct religion, verses 130-141

"Say (O Muslims): We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered." (Verse 136)

"Say (unto the People of the Scripture): Dispute ye with us concerning Allah when He is our Lord and your Lord? Ours are our works and yours your works. We look to Him alone." (Verse 139)

The religion of Islam is universal, for all people, in every age. Therefore, it is necessary for every follower of Islam to believe in all the Prophets and messengers of Allah and in what was revealed to them. No other religion besides Islam demands from its followers to believe equally in the sinless purity of the conduct and character of other prophets of Allah, and in the truthfulness of other sacred scriptures as the revealed words of Allah.

Allah is the Lord of all created beings. He is the Lord of the worlds - the universe. He is not biased against anyone, nor shows favouritism towards any. Those who sincerely devote themselves to Him receive, in return of their goodness, His special grace.

That concludes day 1 - Chapter 1, took far longer than I predicted but I will inshallah keep it up as long as possible. Hope some of it is informative.

Thanks for reading.

Ramadhan plans

Apologies for not updating the blog for quite some time now. No adequate excuses but inshallah that is all about to change. With the Holy month of Ramadhan fast approaching I plan to be blogging a lot more.

Last year, I managed to read the whole Quran during Ramadhan, one chapter daily. During that time, I made a list of ayats/verses that I found interesting or informative that I planned to come back to after the month. However, I was typing the list on my phone and then stupidly had to reset my phone shortly after Ramadhan and lost the entire list. This year, I hope to blog daily about the interesting verses that I read from each chapter.

I plan on highlighting the verses and then include some analysis about each verse from various sources, including the superb commentary by Ayatullah Agha H. M. M. Pooya Yazdi. Hopefully we can have some discussion about the verses and also we can all learn from such a powerful and important book - the Holy Quran.

Taqiyyah (Dissimulation)

Another favourite topic or myth used to attack Shias is the concept of dissimulation (otherwise known as Taqqiyah) - i.e. to hide one's true faith in the face of provocation and risk of life. Once again, let me begin again by referring to the Quran:

"Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful penalty."(Surah 16, Verse 106)

"A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said: "Will ye slay a man because he says, 'My Lord is Allah'?" (Surah 40, Verse 28)

"When Moses came back to his people, angry and grieved, he said: "Evil it is that ye have done in my place in my absence: did ye make haste to bring on the judgment of your Lord?" He put down the tablets, seized his brother by (the hair of) his head, and dragged him to him. Aaron said: "Son of my mother! the people did indeed reckon me as naught, and went near to slaying me! Make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune, nor count thou me amongst the people of sin." (Surah 7, Verse 150)

The above three verses all go some way to explaining the concept of taqiyyah. The first verse states that taqiyyah is permissible only in the times of need, in the second verse a believer was forced to conceal his faith at the time of the Pharaoh for fear of prosecution and lastly even a Prophet of God had to engage in taqiyyah in order to save his own life.

The concept of taqiyyah is clearly supported by the Quran and one that is engaged by Muslims at times of persecution. It doesn't mean that we have become liars and cannot be trusted. Often our 6th Imam has been quoted as saying: "Nine tenths of religion is Taqiyyah (dissimulation), hence one who does not dissimulate has no religion." (Al-Kafi, Volume 9). From this people try to conclude that 90% of the Shia faith is based on lies. Typical Sunni course of action, taking one quote completely out of context.

This statement was first made at a time when true Muslims were under severe prosecution. The rulers of the Arab world at the time were extremely corrupt and keen to abolish Islam altogether. To prevent the risk of death and punishment, many Muslims had to engage in taqiyyah. This is supported by Sahih Bukhari: "Anas said, "I do not find (now-a-days) things as they were (practiced) at the time of the Prophet." Somebody said "The prayer (is as it was.)" Anas said, "Have you not done in the prayer what you have done? Narrated Az-Zuhri that he visited Anas bin Malik at Damascus and found him weeping and asked him why he was weeping. He replied, "I do not know anything which I used to know during the life-time of Allah's Apostle except this prayer which is being lost (not offered as it should be)." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 10, Number 507)

The above hadith testifies that the practices of the Holy Prophet had been changed and even the namaaz was being altered. During this time, where were the true Muslims? If they weren't raising their voice, they remained in hiding to save themselves. When the 6th Holy Imam states that 90% of the religion is taqiyyah, then that is because 90% of the religion being practiced by the rulers was corrupt and not the true religion of Islam. Anyone who wasn't engaging in taqiyyah, but was instead following the rules of the caliphs at that time was not practising true Islam.

More importantly, fast-forwarding to today and post 9/11, Muslims throughout the world are being prosecuted and victimised. In the face of such aggravation what are we meant to do? In some situations people have no choice but to hide their true beliefs. To interpret taqiyyah as a form of lying and not telling the truth as people accuse Shias of is, once again, plain wrong.

Temporary marriage

Arguably one of the more popular Shia myth's revolves around the concept of temporary marriage, Muta. Our critics claim that we are a bunch of womanisers and that Muta, is an attempt to legitimise prostitution! We are apparently allowed to engage in a temporary marriage for as short or as long as needed and do whatever we want in that time period with no consequence and no responsibility for our actions. It is an act that is apparently haram, against the teachings of the Holy Prophet and the Holy Quran. It is an act which proves that we are somehow non-Muslims and deserve to be condemned as such.

So, with that in mind, here is my straight-forward, but accurate take on the topic and I leave it you to draw your own conclusions. As always, the best place to start is with the Holy Quran. The concept of Muta, revolves around one main verse:

"(...Except the forbidden women) the rest are lawful unto you to seek them with gifts from your property (i.e., dowry), provided that you desire protection (from sin), not fornication. So for whatever you have had of pleasure (Istamta'tum) with them by the contract, give unto them their appointed wages as a duty. And there is no sin for you in what you both agree (in extending the contract) after fulfilling the (first) duty. Lo! Allah is ever Knower, Wise." (Surah 4, Verse 24)

The word 'marriage' is specifically not mentioned in this verse, it is instead the word 'istamatatum' which translates to muta. It was a practice that was allowed during the time of the Prophet and according to many Sunni books was later prohibited by the second caliph, Umar. "The Verse of Hajj-at-Tamatu was revealed in Allah's Book, so we performed it with Allah's Apostle, and nothing was revealed in Qur'an to make it illegal, nor did the Prophet prohibit it till he died. But the man (who regarded it illegal) just expressed what his own mind suggested." (Sahih Bukhari, Book 60, Number 43). The man mentioned was Umar the second caliph.

Furthermore, in Sahih Muslim, the claim that Umar banned the act of Muta is confirmed in the following hadith: "Abu Nadra reported: While I was in the company of Jabir b. Abdullah, a person came to him and said that Ibn 'Abbas and Ibn Zubair differed on the two types of Mut'as (Tamattu' of Hajj 1846 and Tamattu' with women), whereupon Jabir said: We used to do these two during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). Umar then forbade us to do them, and so we did not revert to them." (Sahih Muslim, Book 8, Number 3250) So, with the aid of Sunni sources, it seems as if Muta is allowed as according to the Quran, practiced during the time of the Prophet and was subsequently forbidden by the second Caliph. As a Muslim, I think it's important to follow the Prophet rather than the second Caliph, don't you?

Having tried to prove the authenticity of Muta, obviously it is a topic that raises much debate because of what it means. I don't want to get into the rights and wrongs of Muta. It was introduced at a time when fornication and prostitution was rife, it was used at a time when men went to war and would be separated from their wives for long periods. Like any other rule or act, it is open to abuse. By all means criticise those who abuse the laws of Islam, but to abuse the act and furthermore Shias for practicing the act in a correct manner, when it is clearly allowed by God and his Prophet is wrong.

Myths about the Holy Prophet - Part 3: Massacre of Banu Qurayza

The next myth I want to discuss is a very serious one: the allegation that the Holy Prophet was responsible for the massacre of a Jewish tribe - upto 900 members of Bani Qurayzah were executed in cold blood and dumped in a mass grave. Once again, Western historians point to Sunni books which make this claim, including the prominent biography of the Holy Prophet compiled by Ibn Ishaq.

Before the arrival of the Holy Prophet and the message of Islam, there were three Jewish tribes who lived in Medina along with other Jewish settlements further in the north (most importantly in Khayber and Fadak). At the time, the Holy Prophet hoped that the Jews of Medina, as followers of a divine religion would show understanding to the introduction of a new monotheistic religion, Islam. However, as soon as these Jewish tribes realised that Islam was being firmly established and gaining power, they adopted an actively hostile attitude, with the final result being the disappearance of these Jewish communities from the region.

Two of the three tribes, the Banu Qaynuga and Banu al-Nadir tried to provoke the Muslims. They were besieged and were forced to surrender. They were then allowed to depart the region. According to Ibn Ishaq, the third of the Jewish tribes, Banu Qurayza sided with the Quarysh tribe and made an unsuccessful attack on Medina in an attempt to destroy the Muslims. The challenge failed, and the Banu Qurayza were captured by the Holy Prophet. Although the tribe surrendered, they were subject to arbitration by Sa'd ibn Mua'dh, a member of the Aws tribe. He ruled that the grown-up males be killed and the women and children sold to slavery. The Holy Prophet, it seemed, concurred.Consequently, trenches were dug in Medina and the men of Qurayza were brought and their heads cut off by the Holy Prophet himself. Estimates of those killed vary from 400 to 900.

Once again, rather than refute these outrageous claims Muslims try to apologise or justify the events that took place. For example, Muslim scholars argue that the punishment was according to the Bible, Saad ruled in accordance with Jewish/Biblical law, so the Jews had nothing to complain about: for example, the Bible says: “When the Lord thy God delivers [the city] into thy hand, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: but the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take for a prey unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.” (Deuteronomy 20:13-14). Muslim scholars also argue that we shouldn’t judge the practises of those times with the human-rights standards we have today; that the Muslims wanted to deter future treachery by setting an example with severe punishment of Bani Qurayzah, that the Prophet feared that if he let them live, the Qurayza would flee and join the Banu Nadir in the fight against the Muslims.

This is all nonsense, no such massacre took place. Once again it is a myth spread to try and condemn and ridicule the Holy Prophet and this time I have six reasons as to why the story is a complete fabrication:

1. The first person to mention this story about Bani Qurayza was Ibn Ishaq, the author of the Sira, the first biography of Rasooallah, but he was not a contemporary of the Prophet, he was born nearly 80 years after the death of the Prophet and, according to Arafat, he based his narrations about the killing of the Jews of Bani Qurayzah based on the testimonies of the descendants of that tribe. Not exactly impartial, is it? Ibn Ishaq’s contemporary, the early traditionist and jurist Imam Malik ibn Anas, called him unequivocally "a liar" and "an impostor" who transmits his stories from the Jews". In a later age, Allama Ibn Hajar further explained the point of Malik's condemnation of Ibn Ishaq. Malik, he said, condemned Ibn Ishaq because he made a point of seeking out descendants of the Jews of Medina in order to obtain from them accounts of the Prophet's campaigns as handed down by their forefathers. Ibn Hajar then rejected the stories in question in the strongest terms referring to them as "such odd tales as the story of Qurayza and al-Nadir". An outright rejection!
2. The Holy Quran makes no mention of the apparent massacre: "And He brought those of the People of the Scripture who supported them down from their strongholds, and cast panic into their hearts. Some ye slew, and ye made captive some." (Surah 33, Verse 26).
   There is no reference to numbers, and only a reference to those people who were doing the fighting. Unlike Ibn Ishaq’s Sirah, which came more than a 100 years later, the Quran is a contemporary text, of that time period, regardless of whether you accept it is the word of God or not.
3. To kill such a large number is diametrically opposed to the Islamic sense of justice and to the basic principles laid down in the Qur'an - particularly the verse. "...no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another." (Suran 53, Verse 38) Collective punishment is not an option in Islam. It is obvious in the story that the leaders were numbered and were well known. They were named. Why kill everyone else? On what basis?
4. It is unlikely that the Banu Qurayza should be slaughtered when the other Jewish groups who surrendered before Banu Qurayza and after them were treated leniently and allowed to go. Indeed it is related that when Khaybar fell to the Muslims, there were among the residents a particular family or clan who had distinguished themselves by excessive unseemly abuse of the Prophet. Yet in that hour the Prophet addressed them in words which are no more than a rebuke: "Sons of Abu al-Huqayq (he said to them) I have known the extent of your hostility to God and to His apostle, yet that does not prevent me from treating you as I treated your brethren." That was after the surrender of Banu Qurayza.
5. If indeed so many hundreds of people had actually been put to death in the market-place, and trenches were dug for the operation, it is very strange that there should be no trace whatever of all that - no sign or word to point to the place, and no reference to a visible mark. No commemoration.
6. In the story of Qurayza only a few specific persons were actually named as having been put to death, some of whom were described as particularly active in their hostility. It is the reasonable conclusion that those were the ones who led the sedition and who were consequently punished - not the whole tribe.

The mass massacre is a complete and total myth. It didn't happen and nor should we ever dream that the Holy Prophet could do such a thing - the slaughter of innocent people is completely un-Islamic and not an act carried out by the greatest of all human beings.

Myths about the Holy Prophet - Part 2: Marriage to Bibi Aisha

Following my previous blog, I now would like to address yet more outrageous claims about the Holy Prophet. Critics like to argue that the Holy Prophet was a serial womaniser, who married several women to satisfy his desires. What they fail to recognise was that he was married for a period of almost 25 years to a single woman, Bibi Khadija and in that time, until the age of 45, he was married to her and no-one else. When he did start marrying again, after her death in 615 AD, he married mostly widowed women, older women, women with whose tribes or families he happened to be cementing political or diplomatic alliances. Not out of love or lust or pleasure.

Arguably one of the most prominent and favourite allegations that critics like to attack our Holy Prophet with is the claim that he married a 6 year old girl and consummated the marriage when she was 9 years old, whilst he was into his fifties. The girl in question was the daughter of Abu Bakr, Bibi Aisha. Unfortunately, the allegations arise from several Sunni books, including Sahih Bukhari and the standard Muslim response is so what if she was nine, Bedouin Arab girls living in the desert in those days matured earlier, that child marriage was more acceptable back then, that the Prophets mentioned in the Bible also engaged in marriage with much younger girls. It is a very defensive response that fails to challenge the myth of her age itself. The truth is that when you study the Sunni books of history and hadith, you find that there is no conclusive or clear proof or evidence that she was 6 or 9 when she got married; on the contrary, a range of possible ages is offered when you actually go beyond the myths, gossip and hearsay and actually examine the history. Here are ten reasons to reject the myth of the marriage to a 6 year old.

1. Several books of hadith report that Aisha was married to the Prophet at age 6 and her marriage was not consumated until age 9. Most of quotes on this have come from one man, Hashim bin Urwah, who was the last narrator of this chain. However, he did not narrate this information when he was a famous teacher in Madina, but only after he moved to Iraq in his seventies. By that stage, even his own student, Malik ibn Anas had said that his narrations should be rejected as unreliable and suspect.
2. According to hadith in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, Aisha is said to have joined Muhammad on the raid that culminated in the Battle of Badr, in 624 CE. However, because no one below the age of fifteen was allowed to accompany raiding parties, Aisha should have been at least fifteen in 624 CE and thus at least thirteen when she was married following the Hijra in 622 CE.
3. Ibn Hisham’s commentary on Ibn Ishaq’s Sirat Rashul Allah, the earliest surviving biography of Muhammad, records Aisha as having converted to Islam before Umar ibn al-Khattab, during the first few years of Islam around 610 CE. In order to accept Islam she must have been walking and talking, hence at least three years of age, which would make her at least fifteen in 622 CE.
4. Tabari reports that Abu Bakr wished to spare Aisha the discomforts of a journey to Ethiopia soon after 615 CE, and tried to bring forward her marriage to Mut`am’s son. Mut`am refused because Abu Bakr had converted to Islam, but if Aisha was already of marriageable age in 615 CE, she must have been way older than nine in 622 CE.
5. Tabari also reports that Abu Bakr’s four children were all born during the Jahiliyyah, the pre Islamic period, which could be said to have ended in 610 CE, making Aisha at least twelve in 622 CE.
6. According to Ibn Hajar, Fatima was five years older than Aisha. Fatima is reported to have been born when Muhammad was thirty-five years old, meaning Aisha was born when he was forty years old, and thus twelve when Muhammad married at fifty-two.
7. According to the generally accepted tradition, Aisha was born about eight years before Hijrah. However, according to another narrative in Bukhari (Kitaab al-Tafseer) Aisha is reported to have said that at the time Surah Al-Qamar, the 54th chapter of the Qur’an , was revealed, “I was a young girl, a jariya”. The 54th Surah of the Qur’an was revealed nine years before Hijrah. According to this tradition, Aisha had not only been born before the revelation of the referred Surah, but was actually a young girl, not even only an infant at that time. So if this age, of jariya, is assumed to be 7 to 14 years then her age at the time of marriage would be 14 to 21.
8. A famous Sunni imam, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, reports in his Musnad, that after the death of Khadijah, "Khaulah came to the Holy Prophet and advised him to marry again. She had two propositions for the Prophet: Either Muhammad could marry a virgin (bikr), or he could go for woman who had already been married (thayyib)". Khaulah named Aisha for a virgin (bikr). It is common knowledge that the term bikr in the Arabic language refers to a well formed lady and not to a 9 year old, playful, immature girl. If she were nine, the word used by Khaulah would have been jariyah and not bikr.
9. According to many Ahadith in Bukhari, it is believed Aisha participated in the battle of Badr and Uhud. Also in Bukhari (Kitabu’l-maghazi) Ibn `Umar states that the "Prophet did not permit me to participate in Uhud, as at that time, I was 14 years old." But on the day of Khandaq, when I was 15 years old, the Prophet permitted my participation. So if it was not allowed to participate in Uhud for people younger than 15, then Aisha would be at least 15 in those battles, making her age at least 13 to 14 at the time of marriage.
10. According to almost all the historians, Asma the elder sister of Aisha, was ten years older than Aisha. It is reported that Asma died in the 73rd year after migration of Muhammad when she was 100 years old. Now, obviously if Asma was 100 years old in the 73rd year after Migration to Medina, she should have been 27 or 28 years old at the time of migration. If Asma was 27 or 28 years old at the time of hijrah, Aisha should have been 17 or 18 years old at that time. Thus, Aisha – if she got married in the first or second year after the Hijrah, as is commonly reported – was between 18 to 20 years old at the time of her marriage.

So in conclusion, we are doing our Holy Prophet a great disservice. We should be defending the honour, character and reputation of our Holy Prophet and reject these claims that he married a 6 year old child, whether they appear in non-Muslim or Muslim books. The evidence is just not there.