Between the three major monotheistic religions, marriage standards are relatively similar. Judaism, Christianity & Islam are all traditionally conservative. However, there are a few significant differences in approaching the same goal. This article will discuss the time when Muslims are allowed to marry, compared to Judaism & Christianity.
Judaism
Since Judaism was the first Abrahamic religion, we will start with Jewish marriage standards. To be brutally honest, Jewish people have conflated Judaism with the Jewish race, which will make this article somewhat complicated. However, we should all know that belonging to a certain race does not grant you any special connection to the Creator. All races are built equally & with distinct advantages for the region they live in. No race has the right to go & invade some other land because they think their ways are better than the other race. Islam is the only superior system of ordinance. Anyone who wants a connection with their Creator must seek & accept the truth in order attain it.
That being said, we will cover the first policy in the modern system of Judasim. The truth is, Jewish people largely discourage marriages that involve someone who doesn’t have Jewish blood. They believe their race is superior to other races, and that their race must be preserved at the cost of their own son or daughters marriage. However, Judaism does not traditionally allow racism.
In the beginning, Judaism was about the teachings of Moses; who enforced equality between nations under the command of Allah SWT. Moses freed the Jewish people from the Pharaoh in Egypt, but now the Jewish people are killing Palestinians the same way they were killed by Pharaoh & then Hitler after that. So while it is most common for Jewish people to outlaw marriages with mixed blood, it is not found in the Torah, which is the true guideline for the teachings of Moses. The Holy Quran confirms the legitimacy of the Torah & commands that the Jewish people return to following the Torah instead of their own desires.
Many people also know that Jewish people allow their women to marry after 12 years old. Jewish boys celebrate ‘Bat Mitsfah’ at 13. While it wouldn’t necessarily be haram for a Muslim girl to marry at 12, it’s not policy to allow Muslim women to marry at any specific age. Muslims would most certainly not encourage their sons to marry as early as 13.
Christianity
In Christianity, there are many different sects. For the purpose of this article, we will leave out the obscure sects of Christianity & focus on those denominations that still have some level of religion left in their communities.
The Christians in Hispanic communities are unquestionably more religious than their counterparts in European communities. Say what you want about this comment. It is the truth.
The Christians in Hispanic communities celebrate ‘Quinceanera’ at 15. Again, while it wouldn’t be haram for a woman to marry at 15, Islam doesn’t allow for women to marry solely based on their age.
Islam
Like many other issues in Islam, the age of marriage is different according to whether it is a man or woman. There are also different specifications according to the mans level of wealth.
Men
Free men are commanded by Allah to seek wealth & stability before marriage. However if they are unable to seek wealth & stability due to slavery or imprisonment, Muslims are allowed to marry believing women who are in a similar situation. Allah promises the Muslims that these couples will be enriched later.
Women
In Islam, women are allowed to marry based on their clarity of judgment. Similar to the rulings that apply to men, this allows for some variation. Someone’s daughter who has learned the religion of Islam could be allowed to marry as early as 9 years old. The Prophet Muhammad married a 9-year-old. However, a woman who hasn’t accepted the ordinance of Allah is not permissible to marry, regardless of age. Even if someone’s daughter is 30 years old, she is not a lawful wife for a Muslim until she learns the value of the ordinance of Allah.
In short, Muslim men are allowed to marry after they learn Islam & seek stability. They are encouraged to marry as soon as they are stable, and not delay it. Enslaved Muslims are allowed to marry without seeking stability beforehand.
Muslim women are allowed to marry as soon as they learn Islam.
The official Islamic marriage contract that ratifies the effort to meet these specifications is known as ‘nikkah’. The average nikkah will consist of a husband that is slightly older than his wives, for the reasons mentioned prior.
These are the age standards of Islamic marriage. When are Muslims allowed to marry? Basically whenever they want, provided they have followed the commands of Allah beforehand.
Share the beautiful ordinance of our religion. Jazakallah Khair.
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