I have to say that is a legitimate question after all.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) betrothed Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) when she was 6, and consummated the marriage when she was 9. I know that a Western will be just appalled by this. Actually I once heard someone call the Prophet “a pedophile”.
I have to points to make here:
1- If he were a pedophile, why didn’t he consummate the marriage when she was 6? Why did he wait for 3 years? I guess for pedophiles, it goes by “the younger the better” approach.
The answer is simple. He waited until she became a woman. Until she reached puberty.
I know it’s hard for you to believe that a 9-year girl can be a mature woman, but that is so possible. It has to do with race and the influence of the climate.
To share a personal story with you, I have a relative (she’s 50 something now), she had her first period cycle when she was 10 years old only. And she was completely healthy and no one of the family was alarmed because they knew that was common in our part of the world. And when I say that she had her first menses when she was 10, I also mean that by that time she was not child, she was -medically, mentally, and psychologically- almost a woman not a child. She was a bit short for a woman 
but that’s normal, as she was only ten. And in case you are interested, she had her menopause sooner than usual.
2- If Muhammad were a pedophile, why didn’t anyone speak up back then? And by “anyone” I mean those who were fighting Muhammad?
Come on! This was the chance for them to undermine Muhammad and his message.
Actually, the marriage was very normal when seen in context. At that time it was OK to do so. And the sheerest proof is Muhammad’s foes silence over it. The other option is to call everyone who was born 1400 years ago pedophiles because it was OK with them to do it. Actually there are examples outside Arabia of such practices.
Now please note that Muhammad never encouraged his companions to marry young girls. He did it because the costumes allowed it.
These were some quick points that I wanted to share with you. And I would very much like to hear from you and the door is wide open for discussion.
Have a nice day. 
Catism
July 22nd, 2007 at 4:52 am
I believe that the ones called Mohammad a “pedophile” are not aware, and as you said that this practice was famous at that time not only in Arab country, but in other territories where kings had so many young girls to satisfy their needs and lust !
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:28 am
may Allah, the one and only true God, reward you with heaven
August 14th, 2007 at 11:58 am
WOW. I must say I was extremely shocked, and then extremely relieved. Thank you for stating these points, may God bless you and keep you on the right track.
August 28th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
I think you made a nice conclusion stating that other peoples also had that same practice.
To call Muhammad (PBUH) a paedophile is like calling Jesus (PBUH) a magician! May these two men rest in the highest grades of Heaven.
September 22nd, 2007 at 9:52 pm
That’s nice.
I have some fats to share with everybody:
1- Aisha (May Allah be please with her) was engaged to the son of Mut’am Ibn Addy and they broke the engagement because they did not approve of Aisha’s and her father’s embracement of ISlam.
So It was ok to be engaged even earlier thatn that!
2- After the Hijrah (immigration) Abu Bakr (May Allah be please with him) that father of Aisha told the Prophet PBUH why don’t you consummate the marriage now?
I think he said that as soon as he felt that his daughter has matured enough.
3- The nice thing was that the Prophet PBUH said I don’t have a dowry now, so he was for postponing the marriage, but ABu Bakr (his father in law) loaned him the money!
January 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
May Allah be with you in all steps
