The Best Age for Marriage in Islam
When is the best age to start thinking about marriage in Islam, and does it really impact the divorce rate?
Is there a right age to marry? In short, there is no wrong age for marriage as long as it's legal in the country where the marriage certificate is issued. You might have already found your soulmate at the age of 18, and both of you have agreed that you want to spend the rest of your lives together in an Islamic union. Matrimony is your decision, but if you are unsure of when to get married, this blog will explain what is considered the best age for marriage in modern times.
Finances
The age when we want or should get married depends largely on an individual's financial standing and what they can offer a potential
partner. Traditionally in Islam, the male becomes financially responsible for his bride. Although finances are now considered an equal
responsibility between spouses, the husband still needs to have funds for the dowry (Mahr) and the wedding. Even if you have found your
soulmate, you may need financial support from your family to progress with the Nikah.
A salary 30 years ago could easily provide for a young man and his family, so naturally, in the past, younger people could afford a Nikah.
Today, however, the economic landscape has shifted significantly. Without financial support, a Muslim man needs to be at a stage in his life
where he can support a marriage union and a potential family, if that’s something planned. The cost of living has increased, and many young
people are delaying marriage until they are more financially stable.
We are seeing a trend of people in their late 20s and early 30s getting married, rather than in their early 20s. This shift is due to several
factors, but financial security is one of the most prominent. With the rising cost of living, higher education, and the pressure of securing a
good job, many young people are choosing to focus on their careers and stability before entering into marriage.
Maturity in Islam
Maturity is an essential concept in Islam, and it plays a significant role in determining the best age for marriage. In Islam, maturity is not
merely about physical age but also about emotional, mental, and spiritual readiness to handle the responsibilities that come with marriage.
The Quran and Hadith emphasise the importance of being mature enough to uphold the rights and duties that come with this sacred union.
The age of maturity is often debated, but it is generally believed that both spouses should have the emotional and psychological maturity to
deal with marriage’s complexities. This includes the ability to communicate effectively, handle challenges, and manage household
responsibilities. Many Islamic scholars agree that maturity plays a more important role than age in determining when a person is ready for
marriage.
Recent changes in UK law reflect a shift in societal perceptions of maturity. As of February 2024, the legal age for marriage has been raised
to 18, up from 16 in 2023. In the UK, there is a general consensus among the public that 16 is far too young to marry, with some considering
it a form of child marriage. The law reflects a societal understanding of maturity, and it also ties back to the Islamic perspective that marriage
should be entered into when both partners are ready, both emotionally and financially.
The perfect age for marriage
One key factor to consider is the impact of marrying at an early age on divorce rates. Research has shown that those who marry in their late teens or early 20s are statistically more likely to experience a divorce compared to those who marry later. Early marriages often face the challenge of both partners still growing and developing, leading to mismatched life goals, emotional immaturity, or financial struggles. For many, this results in separation.
This does not mean that marriage in your 20s is doomed to fail, but it does indicate that maturity and stability are crucial. The pressure of rushing into marriage when you’re still exploring who you are and where you’re going in life can lead to difficulties down the road. For this reason, many people choose to wait until they are in their late 20s or early 30s to get married, as this tends to be an age where individuals have a clearer sense of who they are and what they want out of life.
In modern marriages, the ideal age is often considered to be in the late 20s to early 30s. This is when many individuals are emotionally mature, financially stable, and ready for the responsibilities that come with a lifelong commitment. That said, marriage in Islam is not bound by age, and every person’s readiness will look different. What matters most is the mutual understanding, readiness, and willingness of both parties to honour the sacred covenant of marriage.
