Assim al-Hakeem, the Saudi cleric reverberated Nupur Sharma’s words. In 2022, Nupur Sharma, then a spokesperson for India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), made remarks during a televised debate concerning Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha, citing Islamic texts that state she was six years old at the time of marriage and nine at its consummation. These comments led to widespread controversy, both domestically and internationally, resulting in her suspension from the BJP.
Saudi cleric Sheikh Assim Al-Hakeem is saying what Nupur Sharma said about Prophet Mohammad & Ayesha. Nupur Sharma was hounded out & her life was threatened.
Sheikh further says "If you doubt the Prophet Mohammad for a second, you're a full fledged Kaffir…..You don't have to… pic.twitter.com/YVmrNHX3fF
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) March 23, 2025
Assim al-Hakeem Criticises Western Muslims
Amid this controversy, Saudi Arabian Islamic scholar Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem addressed similar questions regarding Aisha’s age at marriage. In response to an inquiry on social media, al-Hakeem confirmed the account, stating, “This is 100% true.” He referenced traditional Islamic sources, such as Sahih al-Bukhari, to substantiate this claim.
Furthermore, in an undated video shared on social media, al-Hakeem expressed frustration towards “Westernized Muslims” who question or doubt the historical accounts of Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha. He remarked, “The biggest problem we have with the Westerners from America, Canada, and Europe is that they don’t have their Islam on cemented area. They are so easy to flip to the other side and that is why you find many of them… have doubts. Why? The Prophet married Aisha when she was 9.” This statement highlights his concern about the influence of Western perspectives on traditional Islamic beliefs and practices.
Contemporary Discussions Assim al-Hakeem
While traditional Islamic narratives, such as those found in Sahih al-Bukhari, document Aisha’s age at marriage as six and consummation at nine, contemporary scholars and historians have engaged in discussions reevaluating these accounts.Some suggest that Aisha may have been older, emphasizing the importance of contextual understanding when interpreting historical texts. These discussions aim to reconcile historical practices with modern ethical standards and cultural contexts.
Implications for Interfaith Dialogue
The incident involving Nupur Sharma and the subsequent affirmations by figures like Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem underscore the complexities inherent in interfaith and intrafaith dialogues. Addressing sensitive historical and religious topics requires a balance between factual accuracy and cultural sensitivity. Engaging in open, respectful conversations can foster mutual understanding and respect among diverse communities.
The reaffirmation of traditional Islamic accounts by Sheikh Assim al-Hakeem, coupled with his criticism of Western Muslims who question these narratives, highlights the ongoing discourse within the Muslim community spreading misinformation.