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