When Muhammad already had nine wives and numerous concubines, Allah granted him a special permission allowing him to possess all the wives he desired:
“O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their bridal gifts, those whom your right hand possesses from what Allah has granted you as spoils, the daughters of your paternal uncle and the daughters of your paternal aunts, the daughters of your maternal uncle and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you, and any believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet, provided that the Prophet wishes to marry her. This is a privilege reserved for you, not for the other believers. We know well what We have imposed upon them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess, so that there may be no difficulty for you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Quran 33:50).
This episode is also described in the following hadiths, through Aisha’s impertinent words:
Sahih Muslim Book 8, Number 3453
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:
I was jealous of the women who offered themselves to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and I said so. Then when Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed this: “You may defer any one of them you wish and take to yourself whom you wish; and if you desire any whom you have set aside, no sin shall be charged to you” (33:51), I (Aisha) said: It seems to me that your Lord is quick to satisfy every desire of yours.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 048
Hisham had heard his father relate:
Khawla, daughter of Hakim, was one of those who gave themselves to the Prophet. Aisha then said:
“Do you not think that a woman should be ashamed to give herself to a man? Indeed, when this was revealed: O Prophet, indeed We have made lawful to you your wives to whom you have given their bridal gifts, those whom your right hand possesses from what Allah has granted you as spoils, the daughters of your paternal uncle and the daughters of your paternal aunts, the daughters of your maternal uncle and the daughters of your maternal aunts who emigrated with you, and any believing woman who offers herself to the Prophet, provided that the Prophet wishes to marry her. This is a privilege reserved for you, not for the other believers. We know well what We have imposed upon them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess, so that there may be no difficulty for you. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (33:50), I exclaimed: ‘O Messenger of God, does your Lord think of nothing but hastening to satisfy your desires?’”
This kind of “divine intervention” — extremely convenient — occurs rather frequently in the Quran.
The Arabs were primitive tribes that followed few rules and traditions. Nevertheless, they had an ethical code that they honored scrupulously. For example, they refrained from hostilities during certain sacred months. They regarded Mecca as a holy city and did not wage war against it. The wife of an adopted son was regarded as a daughter-in-law and they did not marry her. Nevertheless, “Allah” allowed Muhammad to marry Zaynab, the attractive wife of his adopted son:
“…Then when Zayd had ended his relationship with her, We gave her to you in marriage, so that there would be no impediment for the believers concerning the wives of their adopted sons when they have ended their relationship with them. Allah’s command must be carried out.” (Quran 33:37).
On this subject, see also this article.
It was also customary at the time for close friends to make a pact of brotherhood and regard one another as real brothers. But the Prophet disregarded every rule whenever it stood between him and his interests or desires.
Abu Bakr and Muhammad had declared themselves brothers. Therefore, as the following hadith shows, Aisha should have been like a niece to the Holy Prophet:
Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 37
Narrated by Ibn Abbas:
It was said to the Prophet, “Would you not marry the daughter of Hamza?” He said, “She is my foster niece, the daughter of my brother.”
Both Hamza and Abu Bakr were Muhammad’s “adoptive brothers.” But Aisha, Abu Bakr’s daughter, must have been too beautiful in the Prophet’s eyes for him to respect ethical codes and traditions. He therefore had no hesitation in asking for her hand, even though she was only six years old:
Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 18
Narrated by Urwa:
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 the religion of Allah and His Book, but she (Aisha) is a lawful wife for me.”
In the following hadith, Muhammad tells Aisha that he had dreamed of her before asking her father for her hand.
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Book 87, Number 140
Narrated by Aisha:
Allah’s Apostle said to me, “You were shown to me twice in my dreams before I married you. I saw an angel carrying you in a piece of silk 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.’ Then you were shown to me again, the angel carrying you in a piece of silk 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.’”
