There is no single, universally agreed-upon age of marriage for girls in Islam. The permissibility of marriage age is interpreted differently among various Islamic scholars and communities.
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Traditional Islamic Jurisprudence: Historically, many Islamic legal traditions have considered a girl's maturity (puberty) as the primary criterion for marriage eligibility, rather than a specific age. This could vary significantly based on individual physical development and geographical location.
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Modern Interpretations and Legal Reforms: In many Muslim-majority countries, laws have been enacted to set a minimum legal age for marriage, often aligned with international standards for children's rights and well-being. This is often 18.
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Varying Perspectives: Some Islamic scholars and organizations advocate for a minimum age of 18, citing concerns about the physical, psychological, and social readiness of younger individuals for the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. Islamic Relief, for example, considers 18 to be the minimum age for marriage, emphasizing maturity and the ability to build healthy families.
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Child Marriage Concerns: Early marriage, often referred to as child marriage, is increasingly recognized as harmful and detrimental to girls' well-being, limiting their educational opportunities, increasing health risks, and hindering their overall development. Many organizations advocate against it, even if some interpretations of Islamic law might permit it under certain conditions.
In summary: While traditional Islamic jurisprudence often linked marriage eligibility to puberty, contemporary legal reforms and evolving interpretations increasingly favor setting a minimum age of marriage, often 18, to protect girls' rights and promote their well-being.
