Saudi Arabia: Opposing Child Marriage
March 15, 2009
While the religious establishment still insists that there should be no lower age limit to child marriage in Saudi Arabia, opposition to child marriage is mounting from medical, human rights and even some religious quarters.
Of note:
A special report by the Saudi Health Ministry stated that child bride marriages were “one of the primary causes for the emergence of physical and psychological problems… [and for] the rising incidence of disease within the family and society, which are a burden on the health system.” Among the physical problems mentioned in the report were menstrual problems, infertility and vaginal tearing, as well as osteoporosis and frequent caesarian surgeries due to pregnancy and childbirth at a young age. As for psychological problems, the report stated that the early withdrawal of maternal love and the sudden termination of childhood caused anxiety and marital problems, among other difficulties.
Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry admits what the Ulema will not.
Rising Criticism of Child Bride Marriages in Saudi Arabia
Y. Admon (New Age Islam)
The Saudi press has lately been discussing the custom of child bride marriage, especially cases of middle-aged or elderly men taking prepubescent girls for their wives. The religious justification for this custom, which has been prevalent in Saudi Arabia and in many Muslim societies since the early Islamic era, is that the Prophet Muhammad married his wife ‘Aisha when she was only six years old.
Recent press reports on child bride marriage in Saudi Arabia sparked a wave of criticism among columnists and social activists, who called for abolishing the custom and for setting a minimum age for marriage in Saudi law. In response, on November 24, 2008, the Saudi Shura Council passed a resolution setting the legal age of majority at 18. However, the council refrained from explicitly defining this as the minimum age for marriage, reflecting the difficulty it faces in confronting this well-entrenched practice….
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1.
republicancanuck | July 10, 2009 at 8:49 am
I really like the detailed excerpts from the reports, which I believe i may have indirectly alluded to in one of my own blog entries (http://muslimmediadigest.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/saudi-groups-try-to-end-child-marriages/). Where did you get the text of the original reports?
2.
proggiemuslima | July 10, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Hi, RC. I’ve never seen the original documents, but perhaps someone at newageislam.com would have that access.
3.
Dana | August 16, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I’ve heard the reports aren’t reliable about Aisha’s age, anyway, and even if they were, the Prophet waited three years to consummate the marriage. I mean, that’s got to count for something.
Glad the Saudi government is speaking out against this. Then again I’ve been seeing signs (as an outsider) that it’s slowly but steadily loosening its chokehold on women.
4.
light | August 21, 2009 at 2:28 am
The reports are actually reliable. The hadith confirming lady Aisha’s age 6 at the time of nikahb (wedding) and 9 at the time of consumation are multiple and to be found in both Sahih Muslim as well Sahih Bukhari:
Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Number 64
“Narrated ‘Aisha:that the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him for nine years (i.e., till his death).”
Sahih Muslim Book 008, Number 3310:
“A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) married me when I was six years old, and I was admitted to his house when I was nine years old.”
Two of the most reliable sources in the litterature of hadith. Other traditions may be characterized as weak thus casting doubt of the legitimacy of the content. But Sahih is per scholarly consensus reliable and the Sahih hadith have contributed to the framework of Sharia and Islam in general.
So if we are to start doubting sahih (authentic/reliable) traditions which have been preserved throughout centuries, then this would open to door to doubting all other hadiths which are not clearly linked to the Quran. This would create a problem as then other things could be deemed doubtful and thus the authority would be revoked.
Furthermore in the holy Qur’an, you can find the following verse:
“Such of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the prescribed period, if ye have any doubts, is three months, and for those who have no courses (it is the same): for those who carry (life within their wombs), their period is until they deliver their burdens: and for those who fear Allah, He will make their path easy.” (65:4)
This sura (chapter) is called Al Talaq (divorce) and the verse relates to waiting period in event of divorce. A woman would have to wait 3 months also called Iddat. It is however clearly stated that the rule applies for both women who are menstruating and those who are not. Thus a child bride could be legitimized from both the traditions and the Quran. Feel free to consult other translations.
That is why it is not so black and white when discussing this matter and it is not easy to legislate without contradicting Quranic guidelines.
As Saudi practises the Sharia it would be difficult to go against the verdict of the religious authorities for obvious reasons. Nevertheless reform is happening but slowly. Most people can see that in todays time and age, an age limit would be required, as times have changed. So have the circumstances.