A question for Muslims or those who are very knowledgeable in Islam?

Question

I only want those who can give me a good answer on this question. Any racist or abusive answers will be reported!

I would like to know about the age of consent in islam...

Everybody knows that the prophet (pbuh) married Aisha at 9 years old but the wedding was political and they did not consume it untill later.....

But what is the age of consent for marriage now in Islam.
It can't be 9 can it? Because really is too young to get married.

I know that whilst the prophet had 11 wifes normal Muslims can only have 4 so is it the same with marriage that the minumun age is higher now?

I know that in no Muslim countries girls marry that young? But what is the age under Islamic law?

Answer 1

Ok allow me first of all to clear 1 issue. The prophet Mohamed was not really married to 11 wives. As you put it some were political marriages and did not involve what nowadays we refer to as a typical marriage. It is not allowed for a female to live in the same house as an adult male whom she is not related to in protection of her rights. Marriage was a political way of making her stay ethical & legal. Bottom line there was no sex, it was a way of legalizing adoption in the case of the 9 year old girl, take into consideration, that you can not adopt a child in Islam, you can be the protectorate but you can't give him/her your family name etc.

According to Islam, the age of consent is based on the woman's physical development not a number. It is left up to the guardians of a girl, usually her parents to decide such an issue as they decide with her education etc.

With modern day laws and regulations minimum age for consent in muslim countries in 16, in certain countries it is 18.

Answer 2

There is no "age of consent". Sexual relations can only occur between a married couple. The "age of marriage" is when both the man and woman have reached puberty.

Regarding the prophets (pbuh) marriage to Aisha, like you said, it was political and there was no wedding. Aisha has narrated the second most highest amounts of hadith (a primary source of law). Many of the narrations regard womens affairs. She was brought up to be a leader, to provide a feminine perspective on Islam.

Muslims can only marry four women, such laws cannot change as they are explicitly stated. However, muslim men in Western countries should not marry more than one wife as it is against the law (bigamy), and muslims MUST obey the law in whichever country which they live.

bottom line, under islamic law, the age of consent is after puberty (once marriage has taken place). Everyone reaches puberty at a different age so it cannot be determined by law. However even in muslim countries whose laws are based on Shari'a have a legal marriage age of 18, so technically you cant have sex before 18).

Answer 3

I only know the age of consent in Turkey, which is 18, but Turkey is a secular Muslim state, so Turks aren't governed under Islamic law.

In countries which are governed by Islamic law, you would be looked down upon if you had sex before marriage, so if you happen to live in any of those countries, it would be a good idea to wait until you got married first!

By the way, I reported that stockpicker person for her hateful comment, which deeply offended me.

I'm sorry that I couldn't give you a good answer, especially since I'm Muslim.

Answer 4

To my knowledge these stories are from the Hadith and not the Qu'ran itself.

In any case, it is very unlikely that this is untrue - child marriage was common amongst Arab tribes of the time. Obviously this practice is abhorrent in today's culture and though it would have been considered normal in those times today this would be considered pedophilia.

This really just illustrates that Islam, like Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and all other religions, are belief systems that are characteristic of their times and appropriate for their times.

The behaviours that they promote as well as the proscriptions are also for those times. Some of these may be of use in today's world, but that does not make accepting the whole of the religion a sensible proposition.

I could quote you many passages from both the Bible and Qu'ran that promote activities that today would be considered abhorrent, including genocide.

The past should be left in the past.

Answer 5

1st : Aisha married to profit Mohammad (PBUH) at 9 but the profit didn't consume the marriage with her until she become 12 years old ( she become mature, and had periods )

2nd : Aisha was not regular like the other girls,, it is proofed in history that her body grown up very fast and her body was equal to any woman when she was nine years old

3rd : it is will known that all Arabs prefers the virgins in marriage,,, but 9 Muhammad's wives (PBUT) were non virgins ( married before ), and many of them were older than him

in Islam Law,, a girl can marry when she is already mature,, ( and it is the same for Jews and old Romans law ), but nowadays a girl should be old enough to marry,, to be sure that it is her decision not her father's decision,

Answer 6

Well I really don't like religous discussions, but I was a Muslim for 22years before I converted to Christianity. Islam just like Christianity is not a perfect religion, the reason is it's people that practice both religions, humans(flesh and blood), what I do is just hold on to my faith and don't condemn anyone. Mutual respect would take us a much longer way foward. Most times different parts of the world have traditions and cultures, and thats what people should use as a yardstick for judgement not their practiced religion. Their is no one who is perfect, we should only respect each other and try to live in peace........

Answer 7

Under Islamic law,if I'm not wrong,it's about age16 and above.Correction,the prophet has eleven wife but each of them is not married at the same time.Same like any other Muslim,Muhammad S.A.W. can only gather 4 wives in the same time,

Answer 8

I'm not Muslim (I'm Christian) but it's been my experience that the media is the most influential figure in our lives when it comes to this kind of thing. Every time I see someone post something here about the Church being a haven for paedophile priests, I know that people have bought into the hype of media. Every time I see something saying that Islam is a religion of violence and not peace I know that people have bought into the hype of media.

Answer 9

I am not muslim, I am a spiritualist so I am not answering your question per se.
However I would like to comment on Stockpicker's post:

On behalf of the human race I apologise to all the Muslims that have been offended by this idiot; It is idiots like this, christian, muslim, hindu or whatever that start wars and breed mistrust.

I have Muslim friends and we talk freely of our different beliefs. They, as do I (pagan, spiritualist) show tolerance and respect to every individuals belief system, provided it does not preach violent or evil acts.
I know that true muslims are peaceful and tolerent and just as sickened by those that commit evil acts in the name of Islam, as the rest of the world.

I will leave you with spirit's take on religion, by a famous guide called Silver Birch; a one time American Red Indian.

" THERE ARE MANY PATHWAYS LEADING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD, IT IS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TO CHOOSE WHICH IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE TO TRAVEL ON ".

I was born and baptised a Christian, yet I do not follow Christianity any longer, it is not a pathway I find confortable, yet I do not denounce Christ as great spiritual guide, just as Islam does not renounce Christ as a great prophet.

Bit longer than I intended, but at least my views have been aired on these idiots who call themselves followers of God and Christ.
It is only the devout, born again Christian that has told me I will burn in hell for daring to believe in other reasons for existence.
One has to wonder what sort of God they believe in?
let you burn in hell?
unforgiving?
A God to be feared?
That sounds like Satan to me, so the boot is now on the other foot.
Sorry God, I know you are none of these things, just using poetic licence to prove a point.

love and light
M

Answer 10

As far as I know in Islam a girl/woman can marry when she is starting her period(physiological age). At this time as well she is supposed to start cover her hair and body, to wear abaya and shaila. Before that , she is not considered as ready for marriage life.