If you feel that you have issues with Islam I feel that the issues are far deeper than the age of the Mother of Believers.
Yes, but they aren't major issues. The encouragement of violence and hatred of non-Muslims is a turn-off, but that's really no different than most Christians either. I also have an issue with the racism that is so acceptable for some here. To regard a man as perfect, when he consummated a marriage with a child is deeply disturbing to me. As a mother, one who protects her children, yes, it bothers me.
You are questioning the nature of the Prophet of Allah. You are questioning his response to what Allah subhana wa taala had willed for him, swas. He obeyed the will of Allah.
How dare I? There are parts of the Old Testament where God told the people to kill everyone but save certain groups (like women who were virgins), and enslave them. Can one not question THAT? What makes this different? I have the right to ask.
We live in a word that is full of strange terminology. If an adult in this world plays with dolls with call them collectors. There are people who collect Barbie Dolls and we applaud them. We have people that play with all sorts of things. We call them professional athletics. It is simply the label we place on play.
Athletes have that as a career. Collectors don't play with toys like a child. Nice try though.
The magic word that seems to be lost is puberty. Even today we have girls that reach puberty at a young age. Ten or eleven is the magic year. She had reached puberty. Now, how do we judge the Mother of Believers? Do we judge her maturity by comparing her to other nine or ten year olds we know who are alive today?
Sure, why not? It was said she was playing with dolls. She obviously had the same interests as other little girls. Was she alone physically the size of a full-grown woman at 9? I doubt it.
We are not discussing ordinary people. The father of the Mother of Believers was a pious man. He was the Companion in the Cave. He would not have wed his daughter if he thought there was something wrong. Remember, women were available. Islam is what gave women rights.
Okay. Was it to strengthen ties? If it were for political reasons (not saying it was), then that would have been important. Especially if women were barely more useful than property in that society. A marriage is one thing, an intimate relationship is very different. Islam may have given women rights in that region, but there are other societies (such as in parts of Europe) where women did have rights (before Romans/Christianity).
An ayat in the Quran was revealed to protect her name. Now, that is something to think about.
Okay.
He,swas, whose life was to give us the good news, do we question his motives?
Yes. I cannot take something on blind acceptance. I would love to, but I thought through my belief in Christianity and came to the conclusion that I couldn't reasonably accept it. I didn't feel a religion based on human sacrifice was a healthy religion to follow. I've been given the impression that educating one's self in Islam is important. Why is this topic off-limits? I have no desire to talk anyone out of their beliefs, but I can't just say "okay fine". They may have had a wonderful relationship. They may have been the exception to the rule when it came to a man approaching old age and a 9 year old girl. But I'm not just going to accept something until I have all the facts. If that makes me a horrible person, I'll live with that.
What is fully grown? It is not 18 or 21. I find it amusing. I often used to tell my students about going off to war for the US. You are 18 years old. They won't let you drink, smoke cigarettes, and barely vote but they want you to take a bullet for them. Is that fully grown? I taught in a high school where a girl would go around parading that she was the only virgin in the school. She was one of 1000 odd girls. What is fully grown?
You're right, there is no magic number. But my 7 year old niece is certainly not mature enough to understand the concept of marriage. I don't care how different things were then, brain development hasn't changed that much over the years. And at 9 to understand the concept of intercourse? What is fully grown? Not a 6 or 9 year old, that's for sure. There are very immature 18/21 year old people, I know I wasn't fully ready then (even though a man I loved told me he wanted to get married and have 12 kids, I wasn't ready). So if someone who isn't fully grown in your eyes at 18 or 21, how can one be fully grown at 9: mentally, emotionally and certainly not physically.
And to be perfectly frank if you are questioning the character and nature of the Messenger of Allah I strongly suggest that you seek help from others to help you understand the beauty of this man.
I suppose I am. And I thought I was. When someone cries for help, do you inform them they need help and walk away? "Seek help"? Very kind.
How can a person call themselves Believers and question his motives?
And there it is. The Catholic woman said if I can't accept it all, then I should leave. Don't question anything. I don't worship a
man. I'm interested in worshiping GOD. But, I'm glad you asked, Aapa. I think I have an answer for all of my questions now. Thank you.
