This is a long, complex piece on research into a Hadith. It covers controversy around the Hadith, the reality of age of marriage in that era, the use of historical-critical analysis as a general valid tool applicable to Islam and Christianity and those that say it's not, possible reasons for the Hadith having been fabricated, the "isnad-cum-matn analysis" technique, "tadlis" (a form of academic deception), the history of when that Hadith appeared, the use of rival lineages for Sunni and Shiites to claim religious authority, the honor attached to the time of entry into Muhammad's household, that the "Hadith" about Aisha is not really a Hadith because it's not attributed to Muhammad and the use of age to indicate symbolic importance (40 years for example).
For those that care, it's well worth reading. I wonder what @firedragon 's analysis of all of this is.
Oxford Study Sheds Light on Muhammad’s ‘Underage’ Wife Aisha
New scholarship suggests the story of Islam's prophet marrying a minor is baseless propaganda fabricated for political and sectarian motives
Author: Javad T. Hashmi Research Director at Muslim Public Affairs Council and a PhD candidate in the Study of Religion at Harvard University
For those that care, it's well worth reading. I wonder what @firedragon 's analysis of all of this is.
Oxford Study Sheds Light on Muhammad’s ‘Underage’ Wife Aisha
New scholarship suggests the story of Islam's prophet marrying a minor is baseless propaganda fabricated for political and sectarian motives
Author: Javad T. Hashmi Research Director at Muslim Public Affairs Council and a PhD candidate in the Study of Religion at Harvard University
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