A Marriage in a Wider Perspective

This Quranic reference supports the explanation given above. During the Makkan period, the Prophet continually received such natural support—first from Banu Hashim, then from Khadijah’s family and later through his family relationship with Abu Bakr. These ties of blood and marriage provided him with social support and protection. Seen in this wider context, the Prophet’s marriage to Aisha also had an important social dimension. Through this marriage, his already close relationship with Abu Bakr became a bond of kinship. Abu Bakr remained one of the Prophet’s closest and most dependable companions throughout his life. After the Prophet’s death, he became the first caliph and played a decisive role in preserving the unity and stability of the Muslim community during its earliest period. (Al-Risala, April 2017)