In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon our master Muhammad, the seal of prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Resolution No. 217 (1/23)
on
Young Girls Marriage between the Right of the Guardian, the Girl’s Welfare, and the Extent of the Ruler’s Authority in its Prevention or Regulation, from Shariah Perspective.
The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, held its twenty-third Session in al-Madinah al-Munawarah on 19–23 Safar 1440, corresponding to 28 October – 01 November 2018.
Having reviewed the research papers submitted to the Academy on the subject of: Young Girls Marriage between the Right of the Guardian, the Girl’s Welfare, and the Extent of the Ruler’s Authority in its Prevention or Regulation, from Shariah Perspective.
Having listened to the extensive discussions on the subject,
Resolves the following
- A young girl is someone who has not reached the age of puberty and the appropriate age for marriage from fifteen to sixteen years old due to its suitability and as determined by Islamic jurists.
- Islamic law did not set up a particular age for the marriage contract. The age of marital act is one of the things which are determined according to the circumstances of time and place, and to the capacity of both parties in the contract for marriage and establishing a family.
- Considering the mercy and compassion owed by the father towards his daughter, and his obligation to take care of her welfare, he has the right to get his daughter married, after taking the judge’s permission. If the marriage causes her damage, the father is forbidden to get her married.
If the legal guardian is not the father, he is not allowed to get the young girl married until she reaches the age of puberty mentioned in paragraph I.
- Determining the age of young girl marriage should be calculated with the judge’s permission, and permission should be entrusted to the legal guardian of every country which chooses marriage age based on the circumstances of time, place, and age, as well as what realizes the welfare of all parties.
- The girl’s welfare should be taken into consideration in the marriage process.
- The father guardianship or other types of guardianships on the young girl is tied to the realization of her welfare.
- Getting the girl’s approval for marriage is an obligation. It is not permissible to get her married without her consent and satisfaction as per the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) which stated: “the virgin should be asked for permission about marriage, and her permission is her silence, and a woman who has been previously married has more right to her person than her guardian.”
If she has been married without her consent, she has the right to get an annulment of marriage.
- Each country has the right to determine the appropriate marriage age, according to what it sees is realizing the welfare of the girl, family, and community, and each country has the right to determine an appropriate punishment for whoever forces a young girl into marriage without the judge’s permission.
9-Health criteria should be implemented for young girl marriage, with a minimum age of 15 to 16 years old. It is not permissible to assist or force a young woman into marriage without these criteria. Reliable doctors should estimate these criteria.
Allah Knows Best
Read Also
Lastest
Secretary‑General of the Academy Visits the Consulate General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan His Excellency Professor Dr. Qutb Mustafa Sano, Secretary‑General of the Academy, paid an official visit on 29 Sha‘ban 1447 AH, corresponding to 17 February 2026, to the Consulate General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Jeddah. His Excellency and his accompanying delegation were received by His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Salah Sobhi Hameed, Consul General and Permanent Representative of Jordan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, who welcomed him warmly and expressed his pleasure at the visit. He praised the distinguished intellectual efforts undertaken by the Academy under His Excellency’s leadership in addressing numerous religious and intellectual issues of concern to the Islamic world, affirming his personal honor in meeting His Excellency again and Jordan’s keenness to strengthen channels of communication and cooperation with the Academy, especially in areas of mutual interest. For his part, His Excellency expressed his deep gratitude and great appreciation to the Ambassador for the warm reception and generous hospitality. He commended the tremendous support, gracious care, and continuous attention the Academy has received from the leadership and people of Jordan since its establishment. He also conveyed his sincere appreciation for the Ambassador’s recent visit to the Academy, affirming the Academy’s full readiness to do everything that would enhance partnership, cooperation, coordination, and communication between the Academy and Jordanian religious and academic institutions. His Excellency was accompanied by Mr. Mohammed Al‑Mundhir Rida Al‑Shawk, Director of the Office and Protocol; Mr. Mohammed Waleed Al‑Idrisi, Director of Media and Public Relations; Ms. Sarah Amjad Badawi, Director of the Department of Family, Women, Children, and the Elderly; and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Al‑Mansi, Head of the Protocol Section.
