Does the marriage of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to Aisha when she was six years old contradict the sixth verse of Surat An-Nisa, which sets the age of marriage at fifteen? And how do we understand this verse?

There is no specific age limit for marriage for men or women in Islamic law. Scholars have unanimously agreed on the permissibility of marrying off a young boy or girl if their father marries them to a suitable partner. The Quran, Sunnah, and scholarly consensus indicate the validity of marrying a young girl who has not reached puberty, without specifying a particular age for it. They have cited the verse: "And those of your women who have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubts (about their period), is three months, and for those who have no courses (i.e. young girls before puberty)" (Quran 65:4), and the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) married me when I was six years old, and he consummated the marriage when I was nine years old."

There is no contradiction between this and the verse: "And test orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if you perceive in them sound judgment, then release to them their property" (Quran 4:6); for this verse is about when money should be given to an orphan, which is after they reach puberty and maturity. The phrase "age of marriage" here refers to reaching puberty. This verse does not prohibit marrying a young girl; rather, it implies it, as orphanhood does not extend beyond puberty.

While marrying a young girl is permissible, it is not advisable to marry off a young boy or girl; rather, one should wait until they reach puberty so they can choose for themselves. As for sexual intercourse, a wife should not be consummated with unless she is able to tolerate it, and a father is forbidden from handing over his young daughter for that purpose.