Is Underage Marriage Allowed in Islam?

[Raymann]

Adults marrying prepubescent children hasn't been common anywhere I know of. In most cultures I'm aware of, you were viewed as an adult when you started puberty, so around 12 or so. So adolescents, yes. But not literal children.

My point is that it is legal under Islam, it doesn't matter if it is common or not.
Under Allah's law, it is legal so any Muslim can marry a 7-year-old and not feel bad about it as the religion allows it.
Most people (including Muslims) don't do it today but it is not because Islam prohibits them.

 

[exchemist]

Those who claim their holy scriptures and religious figures are inerrant representatives of god?

For example, the bible gives instructions on how to sell one's own daughter into slavery (Exodus 21:7-8). People defend this by saying it was culturally acceptable at the time, but this suggests that social norms dictate morality rather than god.

It's been said so many times on this forum: scriptural literalism is, and has always been, a minority pursuit within the major religions.

 

[exchemist]

My point is that it is legal under Islam, it doesn't matter if it is common or not.
Under Allah's law, it is legal so any Muslim can marry a 7-year-old and not feel bad about it as the religion allows it.
Most people (including Muslims) don't do it today but it is not because Islam prohibits them.

How do you know? Surely Islam, like Judaism and Christianity, teaches kindness towards others, doesn't it?

 

[muhammad_isa]

@Raymann
Who does "those who have not menstruated as well" refer to?
Could it not refer to those who miss their periods?

 

[Raymann]

I think you are assuming menstral ages don't change/evolve. What was the menstral ages 2000-3000 years ago?

Menstrual age doesn't matter under Islam. Allah is telling you that you can marry before menstruation so who cares if a girl menstruates at 10 or at 15?
Puberty is not a factor under Islam to determine the appropriate age for marriage.

 

[Raymann]

Who does "those who have not menstruated as well" refer to?
Could it not refer to those who miss their periods?

No, not if you give it a little thought.
The whole verse refers to the time to remarry after divorce so it makes no sense.
The first category is "women who have past the age of menstruation", get it? " THE AGE OF MENSTRUATION", so logically when it says those who haven't menstruated refers to WOMEN WHO HAVEN'T REACH THE AGE OF MENSTRUATION".

 

[icehorse]

It's been said so many times on this forum: scriptural literalism is, and has always been, a minority pursuit within the major religions.

The conscious mind and the unconscious brain are frequently in conflict. ANYONE who reads ANYTHING is giving information to both the conscious mind and the unconscious brain. Sadly, the unconscious brain is far more literal. That's a major reason why advertisements and marketing and propaganda work.

So no matter how good your intentions are, divisive scripture (which is what most of the most popular scripture is), will register - literally - in your unconscious brain.

This is a hugely consequential truth that we must stop ignoring.

 

[Raymann]

OK, but you might as well conclude from reading the gospels that modern Christianity and Judaism condone stoning to death! Any scripture has to be read with an understanding of the cultural norms of the time, not read across without adjustment to life over a thousand years later.

The word of Allah (or any God) cannot be upgraded like you upgrade the software on your computer.
The word of God can only be upgraded by God (somehow)

 

[muhammad_isa]

No, not if you give it a little thought.
The whole verse refers to the time to remarry after divorce so it makes no sense.
The first category is "women who have past the age of menstruation", get it? " THE AGE OF MENSTRUATION", so logically when it says those who haven't menstruated refers to WOMEN WHO HAVEN'T REACH THE AGE OF MENSTRUATION".

No .. you just WANT it to mean that..
You just seek to undermine Islam's credence.

1 O Prophet! When ye (men) put away women, put them away for their (legal) period and reckon the period, and keep your duty to Allah, your Lord. Expel them not from their houses nor let them go forth unless they commit open immorality. Such are the limits (imposed by) Allah; and whoso transgresseth Allah's limits, he verily wrongeth his soul. Thou knowest not: it may be that Allah will afterward bring some new thing to pass.
2 Then, when they have reached their term, take them back in kindness or part from them in kindness, and call to witness two just men among you, and keep your testimony upright for Allah. Whoso believeth in Allah and the Last Day is exhorted to act thus. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, Allah will appoint a way out for him,
3 And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.
4 And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months along with those who have it not. And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, He maketh his course easy for him.
5 That is the commandment of Allah which He revealeth unto you. And whoso keepeth his duty to Allah, He will remit from him his evil deeds and magnify reward for him.
- Qur'an Al Talaq (Divorce) -

The above five verse refer to when a man "puts away" their wife due to displeasure with them.
It is saying that the period of waiting (before divorce is finalised) is three months, regardless of whether they are menstruating or not.

"At 3 months, a pregnant lady might have symptoms like: nausea and vomiting. constipation, gas, and heartburn. breast changes such as swelling, itching, and darkening of the nipples."
[ and is not menstruating ! ]

..and if she is with child (pregnant), the waiting period is extended until after birth !

 

[stvdv]

The conscious mind and the unconscious brain are frequently in conflict. ANYONE who reads ANYTHING is giving information to both the conscious mind and the unconscious brain. Sadly, the unconscious brain is far more literal. That's a major reason why advertisements and marketing and propaganda work.

So no matter how good your intentions are, divisive scripture (which is what most of the most popular scripture is), will register - literally - in your unconscious brain.

This is a hugely consequential truth that we must stop ignoring.

Very important indeed

Such verses can be like being brainwashed for certain young brains. Better start deprogramming as soon ad possible, and definitely don't underestimate the danger. Usually only the tip of the iceberg is visible

 

[Raymann]

The OP brings up an example of a wider point, and that is all of the problems associated with putting so much stock in scripture.

The verse is part of Shariah (the law of Islam).
Based on these verses Muslims conduct their daily life.
Do you think Muslims shouldn't put so much stock in these scriptures?

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

That is late medieval Italy.

Yes, the late minstrel period if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Raymann]

No .. you just WANT it to mean that..
You just seek to undermine Islam's credence.

The above five verse refer to when a man "puts away" their wife due to displeasure with them.
It is saying that the period of waiting (before divorce is finalised) is three months, regardless of whether they are menstruating or not.

Well, you have chosen a translation to English from someone who has no idea how to use the English language.

This is your disastrous English translation

4 And for such of your women as despair of menstruation, if ye doubt, their period (of waiting) shall be three months along with those who have it not. And for those with child, their period shall be till they bring forth their burden. And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah, He maketh his course easy for him.

And here is one of the clearest translations you can find.
By the way, I didn't translate the verse, it was a Muslim who did.

"As for your women past the age of menstruation, in case you do not know, their waiting period is three months, and those who have not menstruated as well. As for those who are pregnant, their waiting period ends with delivery.1 And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy for them."

The verse divides women into categories to determine the period they have to wait to divorce.

1)Those who passed MENSTRUATION = 3 months
2)Those who have not MENSTRUATED = 3 months
3)Pregnant women = end of pregnancy

It is saying that the period of waiting (before divorce is finalised) is three months, regardless of whether they are menstruating or not.

Are you serious?
Are you having problems reading?
Even in your poor translation,
the word "MENSTRUATION" is there.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I think you are assuming menstral ages don't change/evolve. What was the menstral ages 2000-3000 years ago?

For example "the average age at menarche in 1840 was 16.5 years, now it is 13 years."

The age of menarche - PubMed

This keeps getting trotted out, as if the last few centuries are indications as to any 'normal' age for puberty to occur, but there seems to be evidence as to the mean age of 12 being the more natural age for puberty to occur - without anything interfering with such - and this evidence being from many centuries or thousands of years ago.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Well, you have chosen a translation to English from someone who has no idea how to use the English language.

Ha ha
It is a translation by an English convert in the 1920's [Marmaduke Pickthall].

Are you serious?
Are you having problems reading?
Even in your poor translation,
the word "MENSTRUATION" is there.

Very serious.
It is about divorce, and not how long a man has to wait before he remarries.
Islam is not a monogamous religion.

 

[RAYYAN]

I admit, I haven't done a lot of research on the topic but I have listened to a lot of debates on it.
Now I came across Quran 65:4

"As for your women past the age of menstruation, in case you do not know, their waiting period is three months, and those who have not menstruated as well. As for those who are pregnant, their waiting period ends with delivery.1 And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their matters easy for them."

This verse refers to the period of time needed to remarry after a divorce.
It clearly states that women who are married and still have not menstruated have to wait 3 months after divorce to remarry.
We can draw the conclusion that Allah sees this situation as normal and therefore it doesn't look like there is any kind of prohibition about girls under age (pre-pubescent) getting married.
In other words, what we consider "pedophilia" is allowed under Islam.

That is talking about women who have irregular period

 

[RAYYAN]

My point is that it is legal under Islam, it doesn't matter if it is common or not.
Under Allah's law, it is legal so any Muslim can marry a 7-year-old and not feel bad about it as the religion allows it.
Most people (including Muslims) don't do it today but it is not because Islam prohibits them.

Sorry, that is completely wrong
The legal age of marriage in Islam is what is known to be the age of marriage at a certain time
So, if the age of marriage was 7 or 8 1400 years ago, who are we to say otherwise as long as it was ok at that time?

 

[muhammad_isa]

That is talking about women who have irregular period

Assalamuwa'alaikum
That is what I told them .. they want it to be about "child marriage"

 

[exchemist]

The word of Allah (or any God) cannot be upgraded like you upgrade the software on your computer.
The word of God can only be upgraded by God (somehow)

That is a non-analogy.

From the beginning, every religion has sought to interpret its sacred texts. Those interpretations have changed over time. This is a matter of historical fact.

 

[exchemist]

The conscious mind and the unconscious brain are frequently in conflict. ANYONE who reads ANYTHING is giving information to both the conscious mind and the unconscious brain. Sadly, the unconscious brain is far more literal. That's a major reason why advertisements and marketing and propaganda work.

So no matter how good your intentions are, divisive scripture (which is what most of the most popular scripture is), will register - literally - in your unconscious brain.

This is a hugely consequential truth that we must stop ignoring.

Psychobabble.

Everyone is quite used to dealing with texts that can be taken either literally or figuratively or metaphorically. Anyone with any brains is capable of grasping that cultural norms change over centuries and that writing from over a thousand years ago need to be considered in that light. This is certainly what Christians and Jews are taught by their rabbis and priests*, and I have little doubt that this is also what many imams have also always said.

There are fundamentalists in all these religions (generally rather stupid people), but they do not represent what most followers of the faith are taught.

* Just about every Sunday, our local priest will give a short sermon interpreting the readings from the Old and New Testaments for the day. The object of this is to tease out the fundamental messages for the congregation to take away, after stripping away the detail that places the story in a particular time and place. Everyone is used to this and it's what they expect.