What is the minimum age for marriage in the Holy Quran?

   

The sections of this article are:

1-  Children must reach ashuddah (full strength and growth) and adulthood.
2-  Children reaching "the age of marriage" in Noble Verse 4:6.
3-  Female-children becoming fataaya (young ladies) become ready to be "wed" (4:25).
4-  Wisdom and Knowledge from Allah Almighty came after ashuddah.
5-  What about Prophet Muhammad's marriage with 9-year old Aisha?
6-  What about Noble Verse 65:4?  Does it not allow marriage with children?  (A conversation between me and a Christian)
7-  Prophet Muhammad's advise to "O young grown-ups (shabab)" (يا معشر الشباب) for marriage.
8-  Conclusion.

Because Allah Almighty created every human being unique and different, our physical bodies vary.  Yet, in regards to the minimum physical requirements or age for marriage, for both males and females, Allah Almighty had laid it out beautifully for us in the Holy Quran.
   
   
   
1-  Children must reach ashuddah (full strength and growth) and adulthood:
Ashuddah in Arabic is derived from the root word shadeed, which means mighty and powerful.  Allah Almighty referred to iron as shadeed (having mighty power) in Noble Verse 57:25.  Let us look at what Allah Almighty Said regarding children reaching their full strength and growth:

Noble Verse(s) 22:5

Yusuf Ali:[022:005]  O mankind! if ye have a doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you out of dust, then out of sperm, then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may manifest (our power) to you; and We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term, then do We bring you out as babes, then (foster you) that ye may reach your age of full strength; and some of you are called to die, and some are sent back to the feeblest old age, so that they know nothing after having known (much), and (further), thou seest the earth barren and lifeless, but when We pour down rain on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs). Arabic (from right to left): ‏22:5 ياايها الناس ان كنتم في ريب من البعث فانا خلقناكم من تراب ثم من نطفة ثم من علقة ثم من مضغة مخلقة وغير مخلقة لنبين لكم ونقر في الارحام مانشاء الى اجل مسمى ثم نخرجكم طفلا ثم لتبلغوا اشدكم ومنكم من يتوفى ومنكم من يرد الى ارذل العمر لكيلا يعلم من بعد علم شيئا وترى الارض هامدة فاذا انزلنا عليهاالماء اهتزت وربت وانبتت من كل زوج بهيج

   

Noble Verse(s) 40:67

Yusuf Ali:[040:067]  It is He Who has created you from dust then from a sperm-drop, then from a leech-like clot; then does he get you out (into the light) as a child: then lets you (grow and) reach your age of full strength; then lets you become old,- though of you there are some who die before;- and lets you reach a Term appointed; in order that ye may learn wisdom. Arabic (from right to left): ‏40:67 هو الذي خلقكم من تراب ثم من نطفة ثم من علقة ثم يخرجكم طفلا ثم لتبلغوا اشدكم ثم لتكونوا شيوخا ومنكم من يتوفى من قبل ولتبلغوا اجلا مسمى ولعلكم تعقلون

   

Noble Verse(s) 6:152

Yusuf Ali:[006:152]  And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of God: thus doth He command you, that ye may remember. Arabic (from right to left): ‏6:152 ولاتقربوا مال اليتيم الا بالتي هي احسن حتى يبلغ اشده واوفوا الكيل والميزان بالقسط لانكلف نفسا الا وسعها واذا قلتم فاعدلوا ولو كان ذاقربى وبعهد الله اوفوا ذلكم وصاكم به لعلكم تذكرون

   

Noble Verse(s) 17:34

Yusuf Ali:[017:034]  Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).  Arabic (from right to left): ‏17:34 ولاتقربوا مال اليتيم الا بالتي هي احسن حتى يبلغ اشده واوفوا بالعهد ان العهد كان مسؤولا

   

Noble Verse(s) 46:15

Yusuf Ali:[046:015]  We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, "O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam."  Arabic (from right to left): ‏46:15 ووصينا الانسان بوالديه احسانا حملته امه كرها ووضعته كرها وحمله وفصاله ثلاثون شهرا حتى اذا بلغ اشده وبلغ اربعين سنة قال رب اوزعني ان اشكر نعمتك التي انعمت على وعلى والدي وان اعمل صالحا ترضاه واصلح لي في ذريتي اني تبت اليك واني من المسلمين

So here we clearly and indisputably see Allah Almighty distinguishing between a helpless child and a growing human who reaches his full strength.
   
   
2-  Children reaching the "age of marriage" in Noble Verse 4:6:

Noble Verse(s) 4:6

Yusuf Ali:[004:006]  Make trial of orphans until they reach the age of marriage; if then ye findsound judgment in them, release their property to them; but consume it not wastefully, nor in haste against their growing up. If the guardian is well-off, Let him claim no remuneration, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable. When ye release their property to them, take witnesses in their presence: But all-sufficient is God in taking account. Arabic (from right to left): ‏4:6 وابتلوا اليتامى حتى اذا بلغوا النكاح فان انستم منهم رشدا فادفعوا اليهم اموالهمولاتاكلوها اسرافا وبدارا ان يكبروا ومن كان غنيا فليستعفف ومن كان فقيرا فلياكل بالمعروف فاذا دفعتم اليهم اموالهم فاشهدوا عليهم وكفى بالله حسيبا

So here the adult who is keeping the orphan's inheritance from his/her deceased parents is required by Allah Almighty to never release the money until:
1-  The orphan, boy or girl, reaches the age of marriage.
2-  The adult keeper must see a "sound judgment" and enough maturity and responsibility in him/her in order for the former to be allowed to release the money to the orphan.
   
   
3-  Female-children becoming fataaya (young ladies) become ready to be "wed":

Noble Verse(s) 4:25

Yusuf Ali:[004:025]  If any of you have not the means wherewith to wed free believing women, they may wed believing girls from among those whom your right hands possess: And God hath full knowledge about your faith. Ye are one from another: Wed them with the leave of their owners, and give them their dowers, according to what is reasonable: They should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours: when they are taken in wedlock, if they fall into shame, their punishment is half that for free women. This (permission) is for those among you who fear sin; but it is better for you that ye practise self-restraint. And God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.  Arabic (from right to left): ‏4:25 ومن لم يستطع منكم طولا ان ينكح المحصنات المؤمنات فمن ماملكت ايمانكم من فتياتكم المؤمنات والله اعلم بايمانكم بعضكم من بعض فانكحوهن باذن اهلهن واتوهن اجورهن بالمعروف محصنات غير مسافحات ولامتخذات اخدان فاذا احصن فان اتين بفاحشة فعليهن نصف ماعلى المحصنات من العذاب ذلك لمن خشى العنت منكم وان تصبروا خير لكم والله غفور رحيم

A girl starts out being a child طفلة.  This is further proven in Noble Verses 22:5 and 40:67 above (طفلا child).  Then she becomes a fataat فتاة , which is what فتياتكم  (your young ladies) is derived from in Noble Verse 4:25.

Clearly, Allah Almighty never allowed marriage with a طفلة child!

Furthermore, Allah Almighty Said:

Noble Verse(s) 24:59

Yusuf Ali:[024:059]  But when the children among you come of age, let them (also) ask for permission, as do those senior to them (in age): Thus does God make clear His Signs to you: for God is full of knowledge and wisdom.  Arabic (from right to left): ‏24:59 واذا بلغ الاطفال منكم الحلم فليستأذنوا كما استأذن الذين من قبلهم كذلك يبين الله لكم اياته والله عليم حكيم

الاطفال (children) is a plural, and it is derived from طفل (child), which is singular.  الحلم, which is translated as "come of age", literally means when the child knows about sex.  For boys, it also means that when he experiences his first ejaculation either in his sleep or through masturbation.
So clearly again, Allah Almighty differentiated between the children and the teenagers.
   
   
4-  Wisdom and Knowledge from Allah Almighty came after ashuddah:

Noble Verse(s) 12:22

Yusuf Ali:[012:022]  When Joseph attained His full manhood, We gave him power and knowledge: thus do We reward those who do right. Arabic (from right to left): ‏12:22 ولما بلغ اشده اتيناه حكما وعلما وكذلك نجزي المحسنين

   

Noble Verse(s) 28:14

Yusuf Ali:[028:014]  When he reached full age, and was firmly established (in life), We bestowed on him wisdom and knowledge: for thus do We reward those who do good. Arabic (from right to left): ‏28:14 ولما بلغ اشده واستوى اتيناه حكما وعلما وكذلك نجزي المحسنين

So here again, wisdom and knowledge, which are essential for survival in life, start coming after the child reaches his/her age of strength and growth to a point where he/she can now start looking towards becoming independent and take responsibility for him/herself.  Now of course, the best age for having the best Wisdom is the age of 40:
"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents: In pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth. The carrying of the (child) to his weaning is (a period of) thirty months. At length, when he reaches the age of full strength and attains forty years, he says, 'O my Lord! Grant me that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou has bestowed upon me, and upon both my parents, and that I may work righteousness such as Thou mayest approve; and be gracious to me in my issue. Truly have I turned to Thee and truly do I bow (to Thee) in Islam.'  (The Noble Quran, 46:15)"

Please visit:  The Mercy of Allah Almighty.
And of course, there are always those who are cursed by Allah Almighty and never receive neither Guidance nor Wisdom:
"Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).  (The Noble Quran, 2:18)"
"The parable of those who reject Faith is as if one were to shout Like a goat- herd, to things that listen to nothing but calls and cries: Deaf, dumb, and blind, they are void of wisdom.  (The Noble Quran, 2:171)"

"It is he whom God guides, that is on true Guidance; but he whom He leaves astray - for such wilt thou find no protector besides Him. On the Day of Judgment We shall gather, them together, prone on their faces, blind, dumb, and deaf: their abode will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, We shall increase from them the fierceness of the Fire.  (The Noble Quran, 17:97)"