Muhammad Compares Aisha to a Good Meal

Muhammad had at least nine wives at one time. His favorite wife, however, was Aisha. While describing his fondness for Aisha, Muhammad declared that Aisha was better than other women in the way al-tharid (his favorite meal) was better than other meals. (For more on Muhammad and Aisha, click here.)

Here are the sources quoted in this video:

Sahih al-Bukhari 5158—The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death).

Sahih Muslim 3480—It was narrated that Aishah said: “The Prophet married me when I was six years old, and consummated the marriage with me when I was nine years old.”

Sahih Muslim 3481—It was narrated from Aishah that the Prophet married her when she was seven years old and she was taken to him as a bride when she was nine years old, and she took her dolls with her. He died when she was eighteen years old.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5068—The Prophet used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives.

Sahih al-Bukhari 268—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).

History of al-Tabari, Volume 9, p. 139—She went back to her people and said that the Messenger of God had married her. They said, “What a bad thing you have done! You are a self-respecting woman, but the Prophet is a womanizer. Seek an annulment from him.” She went back to the Prophet and asked him to revoke the marriage and he complied with her request.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5080—Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah: When I got married, Allah’s Messenger 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 Messenger said, “Why didn’t you marry a young girl so that you might play with her and she with you?”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3411—Allah’s Messenger said, “Many amongst men reached (the level of) perfection but none amongst the women reached this level except Asiya, Pharaoh’s wife: and Mary, the daughter of Imran. And no doubt, the superiority of Aishah to other women is like the superiority of tharid (i.e., a meat and bread dish) to other meals.”