Is the saying of Aisha, "When a girl reaches nine years, she is a woman," authentic as narrated in Sunan al-Tirmidhi?
This circulating narration attributed to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), "When a girl reaches nine years of age, she is a woman," has been mentioned as a suspended narration (mu'allaq) without an authentic chain of transmission in the compilations. Scholars have weakened the marfu' (elevated to the Prophet) narrations derived from it.
Despite the lack of authenticating chains of transmission, its meaning is potentially correct in that a girl in Arab lands may begin menstruating at the age of nine.
Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Baghawi indicated that the intended meaning is when she reaches puberty and menstruates, she becomes a woman who is subject to the rulings of adults, because menstruation is a sign of puberty and the transition from childhood to womanhood.
In summary, the narration is not general in its apparent meaning for all girls who reach nine, but rather it specifically applies to those who reach this age and begin to menstruate.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy