Answer:

After looking at various references regarding the age of our beloved mother Sayyidah A’ishah (Allah is pleased with her) at the time of her nikah with the best of all men (peace be upon him), I understand that she was 16-17 years old, and not 6; and the marriage was later solemnised when she was 19 years old and not 9.

The nikah took place 10 years after the announcement of prophethood in 620 CE and Ibn Hisham in his Seerah writes that Sayyidah A’ishah along with Sayyiduna Ali (Allah is pleased with them both) were the first children to accept Islam. This would mean Sayyidah A’ishah had been born before the announcement of prophethood.

According to some of the Historians, she was born in 605 CE which means she was around 15-16 years old at the time of Hijrah and 19 when moved in with the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Most historians have said she passed away at the age of 67 and Imam Al-Usfuri and Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal have recorded that she passed away 50 years after Hijrah, 672 CE. If you do the maths, it should tell us the age of Sayyidah A’shah (Allah is pleased with her) at the time of birth and then marriage too.

And verily Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)