The Meaning of Consummate: Difference between revisions

This article discusses the meaning of the word '''consummate''' as mentioned in [[sahih]] [[hadith]].

==Introduction==

These apologists will usually resort to questioning the English translation <ref>[{{Compendium-of-muslim-texts-base-url}}/hadith/muslim/ USC's Compendium of Muslim texts - translated by Dr. Mushin Khan]</ref> of [[Dr.]] Mushin Khan, without addressing the ahadith in their original [[Arabic]]. This article will examine the Arabic language used in the narrations concerning [[Aisha|Aisha's]] marriage to Muhammad, in order to show that Muhammad did in fact have [[Sex|sexual intercourse]] with Aisha when she was nine years old.

It used to be that a marriage could be annulled if the sexual act was not performed; ie. if the marriage was not 'consummated.' This has been the definition for centuries. From ancient times until quite recently, the linen from the wedding bed was displayed to the relatives of the couple after the wedding night in order to prove consummation. A bride was expected to be a virgin, and a blood-stained sheet left no doubt as to both the bride's honor and the finality of the marriage contract (through consummation); and there was now no question as to the legality of the marriage.

The Arabic text shows that the claims of Muslims as to their interpretation of the words 'zawaj' and 'nikah' are incorrect. Bukhari uses 'zawaj' and 'nikah' interchangeably as synonyms to mean marriage (as does {{Quran|33|37}}, {{Quran|44|54}} and {{Quran|52|20}}).  

* imperfection, vice, flaw, shortcoming, blemish, aberration, defect, fault, abnormality}}

An English definition for dakhala, which is commonly found on the Internet is as follows:

It is clear that the only meaning of dakhala applicable to the context of the hadith is 'sexual intercourse.'

Here is the complete list of the [[Qur'an|Qur'anic]] verses containing the word "dakhala":  

In all ayats except {{Quran|16|92}} and {{Quran|16|94}} (as dakhal means 'deception'), the meaning is "to enter" or to "gain admittance" or "be granted admission" to some location such as a house, gate, fire, paradise, hell, someone's presence etc.  

In the Qur'an, dakhala is never used to mean 'participation'; like the English phrases "enter a transaction" or "enter a marriage" or a "completion" of any activity.  

There is only ''one'' instance (and that is twice in {{Quran|4|23}} that the verb 'dakhala' is used in relation to marriage or women - and it is clear that the meaning is sexual intercourse. Here is a selection of translations that translate 'dakhaltum' to mean 'sexual intercourse':

Therefore we see that the eminent scholars of Islam translate the verb 'dakhaltum' (the root word is dakhala) to mean 'sexual intercourse', because the literal meaning is to "enter", "insert into", "penetrate", or "pierce" a woman. It does not mean "enter a marriage" - it means "enter" the woman.  

To further confound the Muslim apologist, the Bukhari ahadith use another phrase to convey the fact that Muhammad had sexual intercourse with Aisha:

{{Quote|{{Bukhari|7|62|87}}|Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A prophet among the prophets went for a military expedition and said to his people: "A man who has married a lady and wants to '''consummate his marriage''' with her and he has not done so yet, should not accompany me.' "}}

A reading of the relevant Bukhari ahadith make it clear that Muhammad had sexual intercourse with Aisha when she was nine years of age. The terms used are: ''"udkhilath"'' and ''"bana biha"'', which can only mean ''"sexual intercourse"'' in the context of the ahadith.  

Instead of attacking the English phrase "consummation of the marriage", it might better serve Muslim apologists to read the relevant ahadith in the original Arabic.

==See Also==

{{Hub4|Islamic Terms|Islamic Terms}}

{{reflist}}