Can girls who have not menstruated yet be married off?

- Does the statement “the period of iddah for those who have not yet menstruated is three months” in verse 4 of the chapter of at-Talaq indicate that the girls who have not menstruated yet can also be married off?

Dear Brother / Sister,

- First of all, we should state the following: There are women who do not menstruate even though they reach the age of puberty; there are also women who menstruate at a very late age; there are even women who do not menstruate at all. Therefore, the verse first clarifies the waiting period of iddah for menstruating and non-menstruating women.

- The word mentioned in the verse is “nisa”. “Nisa”, which is also the name of the 4th chapter of the Quran, is used for “women”, not for girls.

- Besides, children, for example, are not regarded responsible religiously; a person can be considered a polytheist only when he reaches the age of puberty; young children are not regarded as polytheists. The three menstrual (cleaning) periods mentioned in the verse are related to the private state of womanhood.

- In addition, the word “muhsana” is used for a married, chaste and free woman. It is necessary to understand from the phrase “not yet menstruated” a woman who has not menstruated due to some disease or physical illness but has reached the age of puberty according to the climatic conditions of the region and has married.

- It is not possible to hesitate about it after the clear statement of the Quran. Positive sciences reach a conclusion based on certain experiences. It is a fact that many girls have got married at the age of ten or twelve throughout history and today; when positive scientists claim otherwise, they contradict the experimental method on which they are based in the first place.

- There have been marriages at very different ages since ancient times. In Islam, it is left to the people because it is a fact that marrying with the age group of six or seven years is an attitude that does not fit humanity. According to the sources, women may have reached the age of puberty at the age of nine. The structure of the woman is also important to enter nuptial chamber. Perhaps the minimum limit can be seen as twelve years old; waiting for the age of fifteen to eighteen is not required. However, the customs and traditions of the regions also play a role in it. Nevertheless, it is best to determine the most appropriate time for health in terms of medicine in our age.

- According to the view accepted by Islamic scholars, the criterion for the age of puberty is menstruation for women and ejaculation for men. The starting age of menstruation for women is around the age of nine, and ejaculation for men is around the age of twelve. Menstruating women and ejaculating men are considered to have reached puberty and are held responsible religiously. If they have not menstruated or ejaculated, the age of puberty is regarded as fifteen for them. (See Raddul-Muhtar, 1/306-307; Jazari, al-Fiqhu alal-Madhahibil-Arbaa, 1/123-127; Zuhayli, ibid, 1/456)

- There are also scholars who regard the age of puberty as seventeen for women and eighteen or nineteen for men. (see Mabsut, 7/260-Shamila)

- In hot regions, age of puberty and marriage begin earlier than in other regions.

- Menstruation means that an environment where the fetus / child can shelter is prepared. This natural/biological preparation is also an ontological document showing that a menstruating woman is ready for marriage.

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