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Child Marriage in the Qur'an: Difference between revisions
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The subject of child marriage per se never arises in the Qur'an. Yet the Qur'an deals indirectly with the topic. The subject of the [['Iddah| | The subject of child marriage per se never arises in the Qur'an. Yet the Qur'an deals indirectly with the topic. The subject of the [['Iddah|'Iddah]] or "(waiting) period" of a woman is dealt with frequently in the Qu'ran. Summarized briefly, the Qur'an lays down strict rules (based largely on the women's menstruation cycles or lack thereof) for how long a woman must wait in between the end of one marriage and the beginning of another, and the purpose in the pre-modern, patriarchal societies in which the [[Shari'ah|Shariah]] was codified was to ensure that a woman would not marry a new man while pregnant from her last husband and impute fathership of her baby to the wrong husband. Pursuant to these rules the Qur'an in verse 33:49 states that no [['Iddah|'Iddah]] is prescribed for a woman who has ''not'' had intimate contact with her husband, but goes on to stipulate an [['Iddah|'Iddah]] for pre-pubescent girls in verse 65:4, implying that pre-pubescent girls can be divorced, with the implication that it is possible to marry them. This has been interpreted in the orthodox Sunni Muslim tradition to mean that the [[Qur'an]] supports marrying and having sex with prepubescent girls. Despite the discomfort that this causes for modern readers, the conclusion (which is drawn explicitly in Ṣahīh Ḥadīth and Tafsir traditions around this and related Qur'anic verse) seems to be that the Qur'an endorses sexual intercourse (as a part of Islamic marriage) with pre-pubescent girls. | ||
[[File:Women protesters.jpg|right|thumb|300px|March 23, 2010: Women protesters hold up copies of the Qur'an outside parliament in Sanaa while stating that a proposed law banning marriages under the age of 17 in Yemen is un-Islamic<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88589 YEMEN: Deep divisions over child brides] - IRIN, March 28, 2010</ref>]] | [[File:Women protesters.jpg|right|thumb|300px|March 23, 2010: Women protesters hold up copies of the Qur'an outside parliament in Sanaa while stating that a proposed law banning marriages under the age of 17 in Yemen is un-Islamic<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=88589 YEMEN: Deep divisions over child brides] - IRIN, March 28, 2010</ref>]] | ||
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
The Qur'an has stipulated a waiting period which women must observe before they can remarry. This waiting period must be observed after they are divorced, or if their husbands have died. In the Qur'an, this is called [['Iddah (Female Menstrual Waiting Period)| | The Qur'an has stipulated a waiting period which women must observe before they can remarry. This waiting period must be observed after they are divorced, or if their husbands have died. In the Qur'an, this is called [['Iddah (Female Menstrual Waiting Period)|'Iddah]] عدة. However, there is one exception to this requirement in Qur'an 33:49: | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|33|49}}| {{right| | {{Quote|{{Quran|33|49}}| {{right| | ||
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'''Sahih International:''' O You who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release.}} | '''Sahih International:''' O You who have believed, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, then there is not for you any waiting period to count concerning them. So provide for them and give them a gracious release.}} | ||
From the verse above it is understood that | From the verse above it is understood that 'Iddah (stipulated waiting period) is required if sexual contact has occurred within the marriage. If a woman is not touched by her husband, she should not have to observe any waiting period at all. | ||
After the mention of women who have not had their marriage consummated, the Qur'an goes further - discussing the women who need to observe the ʿIddah, and the span of time required. We see in Qur'an 65.4: | After the mention of women who have not had their marriage consummated, the Qur'an goes further - discussing the women who need to observe the ʿIddah, and the span of time required. We see in Qur'an 65.4: | ||
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''' | '''Abu Bakr Al-Jaza'iri (1921-2018)''' | ||
{{quote |1=أيسر التفاسير لأبي بكر الجزائري ج5 ص377 | {{quote |1=أيسر التفاسير لأبي بكر الجزائري ج5 ص377 | ||
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'''Ibn | |||
'''Ibn 'Ashur (1879-1973)'''{{quote |1=التحرير والتنوير لابن عاشور، الدار التونسية للنشر | |||
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After verse no.1 explained the ʿiddah for women who menstruate, another thing remains to be explained which is the ʿiddah for women who have passed the menstruation age or the ones who haven’t reached the menstruation age who are the young.}} | After verse no.1 explained the ʿiddah for women who menstruate, another thing remains to be explained which is the ʿiddah for women who have passed the menstruation age or the ones who haven’t reached the menstruation age who are the young.}} | ||
====Abul | ====Abul A'la Al-Maududi (1903-1979)==== | ||
{{quote |1=[http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=65 Commentary on Qur'an Chapter 65:4]<BR>Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, Tafhim al-Qur'an|2= Here, one should bear in mind the fact that according to the explanations given in the Quran the question of the waiting period arises in respect of the women with whom marriage may have been consummated, for there is no waiting-period in case divorce is pronounced before the consummation of marriage. (Al-Ahzab: 49). Therefore, '''making mention of the waiting-period for the girls who have not yet menstruated, clearly proves that it is not only permissible to give away the girl in marriage at this age but it is also permissible for the husband to consummate marriage with her.''' Now, obviously no Muslim has the right to forbid a thing which the Quran has held as permissible.}} | {{quote |1=[http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=65 Commentary on Qur'an Chapter 65:4]<BR>Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, Tafhim al-Qur'an|2= Here, one should bear in mind the fact that according to the explanations given in the Quran the question of the waiting period arises in respect of the women with whom marriage may have been consummated, for there is no waiting-period in case divorce is pronounced before the consummation of marriage. (Al-Ahzab: 49). Therefore, '''making mention of the waiting-period for the girls who have not yet menstruated, clearly proves that it is not only permissible to give away the girl in marriage at this age but it is also permissible for the husband to consummate marriage with her.''' Now, obviously no Muslim has the right to forbid a thing which the Quran has held as permissible.}} | ||
Note here what Al- | Note here what Al-Maududi mentions on giving pre-pubescent girls in marriage and consummating the marriage with them. The interpreter affirms it is permitted by the Qur'an and no Muslims can question or forbid it. | ||
'''Al- | '''Al-Sa'di (d.1956)''' | ||
{{quote |1= | {{quote |1=تفسير السعدي، ص807، مؤسسة الرسالة | ||
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The traditional understanding of this verse reaches far back into Islamic history. Almost all of the classical commentators have dealt with this verse, and they are near-unanimous in declaring that it refers to the divorce, and therefore the marriage, of pre-pubescent girls. | The traditional understanding of this verse reaches far back into Islamic history. Almost all of the classical commentators have dealt with this verse, and they are near-unanimous in declaring that it refers to the divorce, and therefore the marriage, of pre-pubescent girls. | ||
====Ibn | ====Ibn Kathir (d.1373 AD), whose interpretation of the Quran is the most popular in the Muslim world, says:==== | ||
{{quote |1=Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, Dār Ṭaybah, vol.8 p.149 |2= يَقُولُ تَعَالَى مُبَيِّنًا لِعِدَّةِ الْآيِسَةِ -وَهِيَ الَّتِي قَدِ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهَا الْحَيْضُ لِكِبَرِهَا-: أَنَّهَا ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ، عِوَضًا عَنِ الثَّلَاثَةِ قُرُوءٍ فِي حَقِّ مَنْ تَحِيضُ، كَمَا دَلَّتْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ آيَةُ "الْبَقَرَةِ" وَكَذَا الصِّغَارُ اللَّائِي لَمْ يَبْلُغْنَ سِنَّ الْحَيْضِ أَنَّ عِدَّتَهُنَّ كَعِدَّةِ الْآيِسَةِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ؛ وَلِهَذَا قَالَ: {وَاللائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ} | {{quote |1=Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, Dār Ṭaybah, vol.8 p.149 |2= يَقُولُ تَعَالَى مُبَيِّنًا لِعِدَّةِ الْآيِسَةِ -وَهِيَ الَّتِي قَدِ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهَا الْحَيْضُ لِكِبَرِهَا-: أَنَّهَا ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ، عِوَضًا عَنِ الثَّلَاثَةِ قُرُوءٍ فِي حَقِّ مَنْ تَحِيضُ، كَمَا دَلَّتْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ آيَةُ "الْبَقَرَةِ" وَكَذَا الصِّغَارُ اللَّائِي لَمْ يَبْلُغْنَ سِنَّ الْحَيْضِ أَنَّ عِدَّتَهُنَّ كَعِدَّةِ الْآيِسَةِ ثَلَاثَةُ أَشْهُرٍ؛ وَلِهَذَا قَالَ: {وَاللائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ} | ||
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'''Al- | |||
'''Al-Tabari (d.923 AD), whose interpretation is the earliest comprehensive interpretation of the Quran, says:'''{{Quote|Tafsir Al-Tabari, 14/142|The interpretation of the verse "And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubt (about their periods), is three months; '''and for those who have no courses (i.e. they are still immature) their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise". He said: The same applies to the 'idaah for girls who do not menstruate because they are too young, if their husbands divorce them after consummating the marriage with them.'''}} | |||
''' | '''Tafsir Ibn Abbas. Which is a collection of the Quranic interpretation reports coming from Ibn Abbas, Muhammad's cousin.'''{{Quote|1=[https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=74&tsorano=65&tayahno=4&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2]<BR>Tafsir Ibn Abbas|2= (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation) because of old age, (if ye doubt) about their waiting period, (their period (of waiting) shall be three months) upon which another man asked: “O Messenger of Allah! '''"What about the waiting period of those who do not have menstruation because they are too young?” (along with those who have it not) because of young age, their waiting period is three months."''' Another man asked: “what is the waiting period for those women who are pregnant?” (And for those with child) i.e. those who are pregnant, (their period) their waiting period (shall be till they bring forth their burden) their child. (And whosoever keepeth his duty to Allah) and whoever fears Allah regarding what he commands him, (He maketh his course easy for him) He makes his matter easy; and it is also said this means: He will help him to worship Him well.}}<br /> | ||
====Al-Jalalayn by Al- | ====Al-Jalalayn by Al-Mahalli (d.1459 AD) & Al-Suyuti (d.1505 AD)==== | ||
{{Quote|1=[https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=74&tsorano=65&tayahno=4&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Tafsir al-Jalalayn|2= And [as for] those of your women who (read allā'ī or allā'i in both instances) no longer expect to menstruate, if you have any doubts, about their waiting period, their prescribed [waiting] period shall be three months, and [also for] '''those who have not yet menstruated, because of their young age, their period shall [also] be three months''' - both cases apply to other than those whose spouses have died; for these [latter] their period is prescribed in the verse: they shall wait by themselves for four months and ten [days] [Q. 2:234]. And those who are pregnant, their term, the conclusion of their prescribed [waiting] period if divorced or if their spouses be dead, shall be when they deliver. And whoever fears God, He will make matters ease for him, in this world and in the Hereafter.}} | {{Quote|1=[https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=74&tsorano=65&tayahno=4&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Tafsir al-Jalalayn|2= And [as for] those of your women who (read allā'ī or allā'i in both instances) no longer expect to menstruate, if you have any doubts, about their waiting period, their prescribed [waiting] period shall be three months, and [also for] '''those who have not yet menstruated, because of their young age, their period shall [also] be three months''' - both cases apply to other than those whose spouses have died; for these [latter] their period is prescribed in the verse: they shall wait by themselves for four months and ten [days] [Q. 2:234]. And those who are pregnant, their term, the conclusion of their prescribed [waiting] period if divorced or if their spouses be dead, shall be when they deliver. And whoever fears God, He will make matters ease for him, in this world and in the Hereafter.}} | ||
====Al- | ====Al-Wahidi (d.1076 ِAD)==== | ||
{{quote |1=[https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=86&tsorano=65&tayahno=4&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Al-Wahidi, Asbab al-nuzul|2= (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation…) [65:4]. Said Muqatil: “When the verse (Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart…), Kallad ibn al-Nu‘man ibn Qays al-Ansari said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, '''what is the waiting period of the woman who does not menstruate and the woman who has not menstruated yet?''' And what is the waiting period of the pregnant woman?’ '''And so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse”.''' Abu Ishaq al-Muqri’ informed us> Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Hamdun> Makki ibn ‘Abdan> Abu’l-Azhar> Asbat ibn Muhammad> Mutarrif> Abu ‘Uthman ‘Amr ibn Salim who said: “When the waiting period for divorced and widowed women was mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah, Ubayy ibn Ka‘b said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, some women of Medina are saying: there are other women who have not been mentioned!’ He asked him: ‘And who are they?’ He said: '''Those who are too young [such that they have not started menstruating yet]''', those who are too old [whose menstruation has stopped] and those who are pregnant’. And so this verse (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation…) was revealed”.}} | {{quote |1=[https://www.altafsir.com/tafasir.asp?tmadhno=0&ttafsirno=86&tsorano=65&tayahno=4&tdisplay=yes&userprofile=0&languageid=2 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Al-Wahidi, Asbab al-nuzul|2= (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation…) [65:4]. Said Muqatil: “When the verse (Women who are divorced shall wait, keeping themselves apart…), Kallad ibn al-Nu‘man ibn Qays al-Ansari said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, '''what is the waiting period of the woman who does not menstruate and the woman who has not menstruated yet?''' And what is the waiting period of the pregnant woman?’ '''And so Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse”.''' Abu Ishaq al-Muqri’ informed us> Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Hamdun> Makki ibn ‘Abdan> Abu’l-Azhar> Asbat ibn Muhammad> Mutarrif> Abu ‘Uthman ‘Amr ibn Salim who said: “When the waiting period for divorced and widowed women was mentioned in Surah al-Baqarah, Ubayy ibn Ka‘b said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, some women of Medina are saying: there are other women who have not been mentioned!’ He asked him: ‘And who are they?’ He said: '''Those who are too young [such that they have not started menstruating yet]''', those who are too old [whose menstruation has stopped] and those who are pregnant’. And so this verse (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation…) was revealed”.}} | ||
====Al- | ====Al-Zamakhshari (d.1143 ِAD)==== | ||
{{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=2&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Al-Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaaf|2= {{right| | {{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=2&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Al-Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaaf|2= {{right| | ||
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<br /> | <br /> | ||
===<small> | ===<small>Tabrasi (d.1153 ِِِAD), a Shia scholar.</small>=== | ||
{{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=3&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&Page=7&Size=1&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Tabrasi|2= {{right|{واللآئي لم يحضن} | {{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=3&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&Page=7&Size=1&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Tabrasi|2= {{right|{واللآئي لم يحضن} | ||
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<br /> | <br /> | ||
===<small>Al- | ===<small>Al-Shawkani (d.1250 AH)</small>=== | ||
{{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=9&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&Page=3&Size=1&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Al-Shoukani, Fath al-Qadir|2= {{right| | {{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=9&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&Page=3&Size=1&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Al-Shoukani, Fath al-Qadir|2= {{right| | ||
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<br /> | <br /> | ||
===<small>Abu | ===<small>Abu Hayyan (d.1344 AD)</small>=== | ||
{{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=19&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Abu-Hayyan|2= {{right|{واللائي لم يحضن }<br> | {{quote |1=[http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=19&tSoraNo=65&tAyahNo=4&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1 Qur'an 65:4]<BR>Abu-Hayyan|2= {{right|{واللائي لم يحضن }<br> | ||
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Muṣannaf of Abdul | Muṣannaf of Abdul Razzaq (126-211 AH), one of earliest collections of Hadith, mentions a report where companions of Muhammad reference verse 65:4 while answering a legal question about a divorced woman. They said: | ||
{{quote|Muṣannaf of Abdul Razzāq Al-Ṣanʿānī, Al-Maktab Al-Islāmī, Hadith no.11100, vol.6 p. 340|فَذَكَرَ شَأْنَ امْرَأَتِهِ وَعِنْدَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، وَزَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، فَقَالَ لَهُمَا عُثْمَانُ: مَا تَرَيَانِ؟ قَالَا: «نَرَى أَنَّهَا تَرِثُهُ إِنْ مَاتْ، وَأَنَّهُ يَرِثُهَا إِنْ مَاتَتْ، فَإِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ مِنَ الْقَوَاعِدِ اللَّاتِي يَئِسْنَ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ، وَلَيْسَتْ مِنَ الْأَبْكَارِ اللَّائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ | {{quote|Muṣannaf of Abdul Razzāq Al-Ṣanʿānī, Al-Maktab Al-Islāmī, Hadith no.11100, vol.6 p. 340|فَذَكَرَ شَأْنَ امْرَأَتِهِ وَعِنْدَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، وَزَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، فَقَالَ لَهُمَا عُثْمَانُ: مَا تَرَيَانِ؟ قَالَا: «نَرَى أَنَّهَا تَرِثُهُ إِنْ مَاتْ، وَأَنَّهُ يَرِثُهَا إِنْ مَاتَتْ، فَإِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ مِنَ الْقَوَاعِدِ اللَّاتِي يَئِسْنَ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ، وَلَيْسَتْ مِنَ الْأَبْكَارِ اللَّائِي لَمْ يَحِضْنَ | ||
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The Iddah (waiting period) does not take place except after marriage.}} | The Iddah (waiting period) does not take place except after marriage.}} | ||