If you’ve found a potential partner, you might ask yourself, “Is 23 a good age to get married?”. The answer is- it is permissible to get married at any age in Islam. Although every country has a minimum legal age for marriage, Islam does not stipulate any age. As long as you feel you can take the responsibilities post-marriage, there’s nothing wrong with it.
Keep reading to learn more.
Is 23 Too Young to Marry?
According to Islam, it is recommended that Muslims get married at a young age.
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There is no specific age limit for getting married, but the earlier you get married, the better it will be. That’s because at puberty, humans develop a desire for the opposite gender, and so they are prone to committing significant sins, like zina. If they get married earlier, they will not have a chance to commit such sins. A good Muslim should guard their chastity until they get married.
Apart from that, the age of 23 can be considered a suitable age to get married as long as the person is ready for it. Based on the Islamic perspective, Muslims are permitted to get married when they have reached maturity (physically and mentally) and are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities after marriage. They must have the ability to differentiate between the good and the bad.
A woman at the age of 23 can get married as long as she can fulfill her responsibilities as a wife. However, in the case of a man, he must be capable of providing for his wife’s expenditures and the household after getting married. If he is pursuing his studies at this age and is not financially capable of providing for his wife, he should wait until he capable.
Is 27 a Good Age to Get Married?
Getting married at 27 is a perfect decision one can make as they have become a fully mature adult at this age. Most people around the world claim that it is the most common age to get married.
From an Islamic perspective, for an age to be labeled as a good age for marriage, the person needs to be ready to handle their responsibilities as a husband or a wife. If they feel confident about it only then they are permitted to marry.
What is the Legal Age to Get Married?
Although many countries set 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage, Islam does not stipulate any age. A girl or a boy can get married at any age as long as they are ready. The legal binding actually goes against the practice of the Prophet (PBUH) who married Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she was six years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine.
The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) also married young girls and adults, without specifying their age. Therefore, no one has the right to set a legal age limit when Allah and His Messenger clearly didn’t specify any. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever introduces an action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”
“And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [an-Nur 24:63]
“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” [ash-Shura 42:30].
Instead of introducing a law regarding the age of marriage, a state can rather opt for a different approach. To protect girls from being married off to the person they don’t want to be with, it should follow two opinions. One is that a girl should be married off as long as she gives consent, and the other is that she has the right of annulment if her guardian forcibly marries her off.
It is haram for the guardian of the girl to force her to marry someone she does not like. The Prophet said:
“The virgin should not be given in marriage until her permission has been sought.”
If the marriage contract has been signed even though the girl was reluctant, the validity of the contract depends on her decision. The marriage contract becomes valid if the girl accepts it, and invalid if she declines.
FAQ
1. What is the Average Age to Get Married?
The average age to get married varies from one country to another. In some countries, the age ranges between 27 and 30 years while in other countries it’s between 20 and 25 years for both men and women.
2. What is the Best Age for Men to Get Married?
For men, the normal age to get married is 32. Because by that time, they will have finished their education and will be focusing on their career. By that age, they will be capable of taking care of their wives.
However, the man can decide to marry early if he becomes financially independent enough to provide for this wife. Therefore, the best age for men to get married varies from one man to another.
3. When is the Best Time for Nikah?
According to Islam, there’s no particular day, week, or month that is considered the best time for nikah. A person can sign the marital contract on any day depending on their convenience. The choice of timing has nothing to do with Sunnah or bid’ah.
Many people believe that Friday is suitable for nikah as it is a blessed day and Allah will bless the couple if it takes place on this day. The fuqaha’ said it is mustahabb (recommended) that the marriage contract takes place on a Friday, but not Sunnah as the encouragement was not narrated from the Prophet (PBUH).
It was narrated from some of the early generations and early fuqaha’ who were of the opinion that blessing for marriage will be attained if it coincided with the blessing of Friday.
4. What Age is Too Young to Get Married?
In Islam, there’s no particular age that is considered too young to get married. If a person has reached physical and mental maturity, only then they are eligible for marriage.
Final Thoughts
So, is 23 a good age to get married? As you’ve learned now, Islam does not put restrictions on age when it comes to marriage. You can consider getting married anytime, but you’ll need to ensure you can handle your duties as a spouse.
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