Monday, November 26, 2012

Is there a set age for marriage in Islam?

I would like to know whether there is a set age for marriage in
Islamfor men and women? I hope you can explain with reference to the
Qur'aan and saheeh hadeeths.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Islam does not give a specific age for marriage,either for the husband
orfor the wife. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt,
their period (of waiting) shall be three months, along with thosewho
have it not"
[al-Talaaq 65:4].
Al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "along with those who
have it [menses] not" means minors, those whohave not yet started to
menstruate. Adult women who have never menstruated at all are like
those who "despair of menstruation" (i.e., have passed
menopause);their 'iddah is three months. End quote.
Tafseer al-Sa'di, p. 870
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) married
'Aa'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she was six years old
and the marriage was consummated when she was nine years old. Narrated
by al-Bukhaari (4840) and Muslim (1422).
Ibn Qudaamah (may Allahhave mercy on him) said in al-Sharh al-Kabeer, 7/386:
With regard to females, the father may give his minor, virgin daughter
who has not yet reached the age of nine in marriage, and there is
nodifference of opinion concerning that, if he gives her in marriage
to someone who is compatible. Ibn al-Mundhir said: All of those
scholars from whom we acquired knowledge unanimously agreed that it is
permissible for a father to give his minor daughter in marriage if he
arranges her to someone who is compatible, and it is permissible for
him to do that even if she is reluctant. End quote.
Secondly:
No one may give a minor daughter in marriage except her father
according to the view of Maalik and Ahmad. This was also the view of
al-Shaafa'i, but he regarded the grandfather as being likethe father
in that regard. Abu Haneefah said – and it was also narrated from
Ahmad – that it is permissible for a guardian other than the father to
give (the minor girl) in marriage, but the more correct view is the
former one.
See: al-Mughni, 7/33
Thirdly:
The father should not give a minor daughter in marriage except in a
casewhere he thinks it is in her best interests. Just as he may only
dispose of her wealth in that which is in her best interests, the same
applies with regard to arranging her marriage. Islam only permits that
to the Muslim father who is pious and pays proper attention to the
best interests of his children, and who understands very well that he
is a shepherd and that he is responsible for his flock.
Ibn Wahb narrated that Maalik said, with regard to a man arranging a
marriage for an orphan girl under his care: If he thinks that (the
husband)is a man of virtue, righteousness and wisdom, it is
permissible for him to do that.
Ahkaam al-Qur'aan by al-Jassaas, 2/342
Fourthly:
A man should not consummate marriage with his young bride until she is
physically ableto bear intercourse. This varies from one time, place
and environment to another.
What young men and guardians of girls should do is hasten to arrange
marriages, so as to guardchastity and protect honour, and so as to
attain the great purposesfor which Allah ordained marriage.
And Allah knows best.

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