No age restriction in Islamic marriage - Prof Akintola
BY EBUN SESSOU Prof Ishaq Akintola, Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has expressed support for the controversial underage marriage law currently generating furore in the polity. In a statement sent to African Examiner, an online magazine, he said teen marriage was in order, stressing that there is “no age factor in Islamic Marriage”. [caption id="attachment_406039" align="alignleft" width="163"] Prof Ishaq Akintola[/caption] According to him, “The conditions of marriage in Islam are four: Proposal and acceptance (al-Ijaab wa alqubuul), approval by both parents (ridaa alwaalidayn), payment of a dowry by the groom (al-mihr) and the presence of at least two male witnesses at the ceremony (shaahidayn ‘aadilayn). “Age is therefore not part of the conditions which must be met before marriage can be solemnised in Islam. Where the bride is a ‘minor’, Islam prescribes protective solemnisation of marriage without consummation. “This means that the ...