From Their Own Books

Circulating claims

Claim as it circulatesVerdict
The report that Aisha was married at six and the marriage consummated at nine appears only in al-Bukhari. FalseThe claim that it is 'only in al-Bukhari': the report of Aisha's age is in Muslim too, through two chains
In al-Umm, Imam al-Shafi'i argues from Aisha's marriage that a father may marry off his minor daughter without her consent. TrueA father's authority to marry off his virgin daughter without her consent: Aisha's marriage at seven as the proof
Imam al-Shafi'i cites Aisha's marriage at six or seven as the proof for child marriage. TrueFathers may give minors in marriage: Aisha's marriage at six or seven as the proof
Imam al-Shafi'i ruled that a man may marry his daughter born of zina. Partly trueA child born of zina is not legally one's child: marrying the daughter is disliked, but not annulled