A Deviant “prophet”

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI),an organization that monitors Arab and Muslim media and reports its findings to the U.S. Congress,posted a Special Dispatch dated October 29,2009,entitled,“Saudi Father Weds Daughter,10,to Octogenarian.”  The dispatch points out that in Saudi Arabia,which implements Shari’a law,child bride marriages are legal.  The story concerning this unfortunate 10-year-old girl explains how she ran away from her 80-year-old husband,who reportedly denies this age,however she was returned to him. Saudi Human Rights Commission member Ma’touq Al-‘Abdallah,according to the MEMRI dispatch,stated that while Saudi Arabia does not outlaw child bride marriages,a Saudi Health Ministry report issued in February 2009 concluded that such marriages are detrimental to the minor’s emotional and physical health,and harmful to society.  Mr. Al’Abdallah further stated that underage marriage violated the rights of the child as specified in the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child,to which Saudi Arabia is a signatory.  A Saudi columnist also chimed in and reportedly criticized the practice of underage marriage.  The columnist posed the following questions,according to the MEMRI report:“How is it possible that an elementary school girl is married to an 80-year-old man and no one lifts a finger to prevent this disaster?  (And) how is it possible that,(although) this sad episode is reported on the front page (of a newspaper),the public treats it as a ‘private matter’?”  Another report suggested that Islam is a humane and compassionate religion,and that it is inconceivable that this religion should sanction this kind of injustice.

The Holy Bible tells us that if the root is holy so are its branches,therefore if the root is unholy so are its branches.  Islam’s “prophet,” Muhammad,had a proclivity for deviance.  What follows is a representative sample of Islamic writings taken from Ahadith,the Islamic Oral Tradition,and from the Qur’an.  The Muslim community regards the below sources and their interpretations,arrangements,and reports as set forth in these “holy” books as highly reputable and consequently the material therein is quoted widely within Islamic circles and is used to guide the adherents to this fatalistic religion.  The Holy Bible reminds us that a tree is known by its fruit.:

Sahih Bukhari

Vol. 5,Book 58,No. 234

Narrated ‘Aisha: “The prophet engaged me when I was a girl of six (years).  We went to Medina and stayed at the home of Bani-al-Harith bin Khazraj.  Then I got ill and my hair fell down.  Later on my hair grew (again) and my mother,Um Ruman,came to me while I was playing in a swing with some of my girl friends.  She called me,and I went to her,not knowing what she wanted to do to me.  She caught me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house.  I was breathless then,and when my breathing became Allright,she took some water and rubbed my face and head with it.  Then she took me into the house.  There in the house I saw some Ansari women who said,‘Best wishes and Allah’s blessing and a good luck.’ Then she entrusted me to them and they prepared me (for the marriage).  Unexpectedly Allah’s apostle came to me in the forenoon and my mother handed me over to him,and at that time I was a girl of nine years of age.”

Sahih Bukhari

Vol. 1 Book 6,No. 298

Narrated ‘Aisha: “The Prophet and I used to take a bath from a single pot while we were Junub.  During the menses,he used to order me to put on an Izar (dress worn below the waist) and used to fondle me.  While in Itikaf,he used to bring his head near me and I would wash it while I used to be in my periods (menses).”

-Junub –ceremonial unclean due to emission of semen,sexual intercourse;menstruation

- Itikaf –retreat in a mosque to pray after excessive socializing

Sahih Bukhari

Vol. 1,Book 5,No. 268

Narrated Qatada: “Anas bin Malik said,“The prophet used to visit all his wives in a round,during the day and night and they were eleven in number.”  I asked Anas,“Had the prophet the strength for it?” Anas replied,“We used to say that the prophet was given the strength of thirty (men).”  And Sa’id said on the authority of Qatada that Anas had told him about nine wives only (not eleven).” ”

Sahih Bukhari

Vol. 7,Book 62,No. 17

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah:“When I got married,Allah’s apostle said to me,“What type of lady have you married?” I replied,“I have married a matron’He said,“Why,don’t you have a liking for the virgins and for fondling them?”  Jabir also said:Allah’s apostle said,“Why didn’t you marry a young girl so that you might play with her and she with you?’”

Surah 33:36-38

“It is not fitting for a believer,man or woman,when a matter has been decided by Allah and his messenger to have any option about their decision:if any one disobeys Allah and his messenger,he is indeed on a clearly wrong path.  Behold!  Thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favour:“Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife,and fear Allah.”  But thou didst hide in thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest:thou didst fear the people,but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her,with the necessary (formality),we joined her in marriage to thee:in order that (in the future) there may be no difficulty to the believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons,when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them. And Allah.s command must be fulfilled.  There can be no difficulty to the prophet in what Allah has indicated to him as a duty.  It was the practice (approved) of Allah amongst those of old that have passed away.  And the command of Allah is a decree determined.”

This “revelation” came to Muhammad when he set his heart on marrying his adopted son’s wife,Zainab.  The adopted son,Zaid,refused to divorce his wife.  Muhammad,however,compelled the divorce,declaring that Allah “revealed” that Zaid was going to leave Zainab,and she was to wed the messenger instead.