Child Marriage in Islamic Law: Difference between revisions

Pedophilia is permitted in the [[Qur'an]], was practiced by Prophet [[Muhammad]] and his [[Sahabah|companions]], and some Muslims today continue to commit the crime, following their prophet's [[Sunnah|example]].

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'''Pedophilia''' ^(US) or ''paedophilia'' ^(UK) is the paraphilia of being sexually attracted to prepubescent or peripubescent children.<ref>[http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Pedophilia.html Definition and scope of Pedophilia]</ref> A person with this attraction is called a ''pedophile'' or ''paedophile''.

In contemporary law enforcement definitions, the term "pedophile" is generally used to describe those accused or convicted of the sexual abuse of a minor. Pedophilia is considered a taboo and is illegal in most societies, cultures and religions; except in the Islamic world with regards to [[Islam]].

The following are summaries of pages discussing Islam, in relation to pedophilia:

Girls far below the age of puberty are forcibly married to older persons (sometimes in their 50s and later) for various personal gains by the girls' guardian. Pedophilic Islamic marriages are most prevalent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, followed by other countries in the middle east and Bangladesh.<ref>[http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1631 America Magazine: Child Marriage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, by Andrew Bushell; March 11, 2002]</ref><ref>[http://www.americansforunfpa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=630 Americans For UNFPA: Virtual Slavery: The Practice of “Compensation Marriages” by Net Community of AfUNFPA; last retrieved Monday, 08 December 2008]</ref> This practice may also be prevalent to a lesser extent amongst other Muslim communities, and is worryingly on the rise among the growing Muslim populations in many Western countries, such as the United Kingdom<ref name="Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years">[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196955/Ten-fold-rise-forced-marriages-just-years.html Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years] - The Daily Mail July 2, 2009</ref> and the United States.<ref>Christine Vendel - [http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1557578.html?pageNum=2&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container Man charged with statutory rape in ‘marriage’ to 14-year-old girl] - The Kansas City Star, November 8, 2009</ref> There are many reasons and justification that may be given by the world-wide practitioners of pedophilic Islamic marriages, the common denominator being Islam. In August, 2010, the Malaysian State of southern Malacca legalized child marriages specifically between Muslim men and Muslim girls ''below'' the age of 16. In a country where Muslims now amount to 60% of the total population, they enforce "Sharia law which operates in parallel with the civil legal system." Ivy Josiah, the executive director of the ''Women's Aid Organisation'', says "It is really a regressive move. It is turning back the clock." <ref>[http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1319257/Outcry-over-Malaysian-child-marriages Outcry over Malaysian child marriages] - World News Australia, August 4, 2010</ref> News like this leaves one wondering what will happen to child abuse laws in Western countries once Muslims form a sizeable portion of the population.  

===The Meaning of 'Consummate'===