Early marriages in Muslim countries: history, traditions, customs, features and consequences

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

In many Muslim countries early marriages are a social norm. Some rulers, wanting to win more popularity, intend to officially allow the marriage of adult men to underage girls. For example, prospective Iraqi parliamentary election winner Nouri al-Maliki has pledged to pass the Jafari Personal Status Law, which openly proclaims the possibility of early marriage. And yet, in many developed countries, such reforms are interpreted as a manifestation of pedophilia and trafficking in minors.

Muslim countries

States, the majority of whose population professes Islam, are increasingly involved in international relations. Muslim communities exist in many countries of the world, mosques and schools for the faithful are being built. In the Islamic states themselves, demographic growth is so rapid that the population is forced to gradually emigrate to other territories.

OfficialMuslim countries are:

• In the CIS: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
• Asian countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Palestine, Turkey, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Qatar, Bangladesh, Maldives, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia.
• States that are members of the African Union: Djibouti, Egypt, Comoros, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Algeria, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Chad.

At present, the number of Muslims is rapidly increasing. But in the spirit of modernity, many young people no longer adhere to Sharia law as strictly as their ancestors. There is a gradual assimilation of Muslims into European culture and, as a result, even the denial of the basic tenets of the Islamic faith. But the tradition of early marriages in Muslim countries is relevant to this day.

At what age can you marry according to Islam

According to Jafari Personal Status Law, a man only needs to be 15 years of age to get married. The future wife must be at least nine years old. The amendment to the code is the statement that, with the consent of the father or grandfather, the girl can get married earlier.

This view of early marriages in Muslim countries history confirms. According to the Koran, one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, Aisha, was six years old at the time of the marriage. But on-a real girl became a wife (that is, she knew intimacy with her husband) at the age of nine.

Today the age of marriage in Muslim countries is eighteen years. Under special circumstances, with the approval of the guardians, you can get married at the age of fifteen.

Features of early marriages in Muslim countries

The union, held together by the traditions of Islam, is very strong. Strength is explained, first of all, by the observance of the system of values and traditions dictated by the Koran. Early marriages in Muslim countries are no exception.

The second reason for the strength of the marital union is the support of the family by public institutions. Divorce in Muslim countries is more troublesome than in European and American countries. In addition, future spouses from childhood get used to the roles of husband and wife. Surrounded by numerous relatives, the couple can count on protection, emotional and material support at any time, which greatly strengthens the marital union.

Choosing a life partner for Muslims

Of course, marriage should be built on mutual love and respect. Many true believers, like citizens of other states, can choose their soul mate. However, such a choice is practically impossible in early marriages in Muslim countries. The customs of such unions dictate the consent of the older men in the family - the father, grandfather, and sometimes even the older brother.

It happens that a young bride becomes the payment for the debts of relatives. There have been casesthat the wife moved to her husband's house, taking her favorite toys - dolls, teddy bears, doll houses, etc. Many girls do not fully realize the importance and hopelessness of the event. They are pleased with the holiday and new beautiful outfits. The reality that follows is shocking and frightening.

Muslim wedding ceremony

Nikah is a marriage between a faithful man and a woman. The history of the ceremony testifies that the future husband, taking a girl as his wife, had to announce this on the main square of the city.

As evidenced by the description of early marriages in Muslim countries, despite the ancient history, nikah has no legal force. However, this is a very solemn and beautiful ceremony, consisting of several stages:

• Collusion.
• Matchmaking (hitbas).
• Transferring the bride to the groom's house (zifaf).
• The actual wedding (ursa, walima).
• The actual entry into marital relations (the first wedding night, nikah).

For a marriage to be recognized by society (which is very important for the faithful), certain conditions must be met:

• Spouse is an adult Muslim.
• The bride and groom must agree to marry.
• Marriage between blood relatives is prohibited.
• A girl must be accompanied by at least one male relative to the ceremony.
• The bridegroom pays a dowry (mahr) for the bride.
• Men can marry Muslim women, as well as Christian and Jewish women. ATin case of interethnic marriage, the children born are brought up according to the Qur'an.

The phenomenon of marriage polygamy

According to the Koran, a Muslim can have up to four wives. The conditions for entering into a polygamous marriage are as follows:

• The first (main) wife should be aware of her husband's intentions to replenish the family.
• Subsequent wives should not sow discord in the family.
• All spouses have the right to be treated equally.

Also, a man is free to choose his second wife if:

• There are no children in the first marriage.
• The first wife is often ill and requires care for her, children and husband.

Polygamy, according to Muslims, is a useful phenomenon in some way. It makes it possible to raise children in a legal marriage and a complete family.

The role of the husband in a Muslim marriage

The Koran preaches equality between men and women. However, historically it so happened that the leading role in the family goes to the spouse. How a man copes with the role of husband and father depends on his social position.

A husband must ensure the material well-being of his family, be the protector of his own home, and fulfill the duties of a father. The best gift that a parent can give to children is an excellent education and the upbringing of moral principles in the younger generation. It also depends on the decision of the father at what age his daughters will be married.

How Islam interprets the duties of wives

Early marriages in Muslim countriesimply complete obedience to the head of the family. A true believer should be a good wife, mother and successfully run a household. Also, the woman is entrusted with the religious and moral education of children.

Today, many Muslim women are getting an education. However, this does not negate their modesty and restraint in communicating with others. While in society, a woman should dress in such a way as not to cause temptation in strange men. The head of a Muslim woman must be covered with a scarf or veil, her arms and legs are completely covered (up to the wrists and ankles, respectively). Sometimes it is necessary to cover the face with a veil or veil.

The customs of early marriages in Muslim countries regarding wives are similar to European ones. Becoming a mother, a woman is burdened with great responsibility. With the birth of a child, she is obliged to provide him with the following rights:

• The right to life and equality in the family.
• The right to legitimacy - the child must bear the name of his father.
• The right to an excellent upbringing and education.
• The right to security.

Negative results of unions with minors

The adverse effects of early marriage in Muslim countries are substantiated by data from the European Bureau of the World He alth Organization. According to the analysis of interviewed young women who married before the age of eighteen, negative results relate to the physical and mental he alth of young girls. They are deprived of childhood, and many of them are subject to psychological and sexual abuse. Youngwives are more likely to get sick with sexually transmitted diseases.

In addition, the body of an immature girl is not adapted for childbearing. There were cases when a wife died from internal bleeding or at the birth of a child.

According to WHO, early marriage in Muslim countries is a violation of human rights, a threat to the he alth and safety of adolescents.

Divorce proceedings

Muslim divorce is almost always initiated by the husband. Sometimes a simple oral statement repeated three times in public is sufficient. However, the legal justification for divorce requires both a lot of money and good reasons. The conditions for divorce among Muslims may be the following phenomena:

• Violation of the duties of spouses.
• Apostasy of wife or husband.
• Cheating one of the spouses.
• Physical and mental illness.

You can also terminate nikah under the following circumstances:

• Fear of disagreements between spouses in the future.
• Infringement of the rights of one of the spouses.
• Disgust or dislike of a couple towards each other.
• Adultery of one of the spouses.

However, in the case of early marriages in Muslim countries, the divorce process is almost impossible. A minor wife has no rights in her husband's house due to her minority. The husband, on the other hand, does not want to part with the toy until compelling circumstances force him to agree to the dissolution of the marriage.

Modern Muslim society and early marriages

Nikahis a simple rite that has no legal force. Today, after following a beautiful tradition, the newlyweds must register their relationship with the registry office. A marriage certificate, wedding rings and a wedding w altz are a solemn tradition of official recognition of marriage. Thus, the marriage of modern believers is divided into two stages: traditional and official.

As evidenced by photos from early marriages in Muslim countries, such a celebration usually pleases a young bride, who perceives the event as a beautiful fairy tale. Her fate is predetermined, and sometimes not very joyful. But now she is happy because she is the main character at the party.