Question

What is the authenticity of this narration?

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said: “When a girl reaches nine years of age she is a woman.”

 

Answer

Imams Tirmidhi and Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) have cited this statement of Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) without a chain (ta’liqan).

Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) explains that Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) meant that if a girl turns nine and experiences menstruation, then she is regarded to be a woman.

(Sunan Tirmidhi, after Hadith: 1109, As Sunanul Kubra, vol. 1 pg. 320)

 

Some ‘Ulama have stated that Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) has reported this with his complete chain without specifying exactly in which book.

(Al-Mughni, vol.7 pg.33, Tanqihut Tahqiq vol.4 pg.324 & others)

I have not come across the complete chain for her narration.

 

Also see: Musnadul Firdaws, Hadith: 1253

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar