Question: Since girls in the Arabian desert tend to reach puberty early, why was the marriage of Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, delayed until around 15 years of age or more? What was the wisdom behind this?
Answer: It is historically noted that girls in the Arabian Peninsula often reach puberty early, but puberty is not a fixed rule for everyone to mature early. It is a natural matter—some girls mature at 9, some at 10, 12, or 15. It is generally stated that boys and girls reach maturity by the age of 15.
Looking at today’s societies, whether in the Indian subcontinent or globally, some girls mature as early as eight years old, but it is not a rule that every girl matures at that age. Some mature early, while others mature later, and this was also the case in Arabia.
As for the marriage of Sayyidah Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), there is no sign of delay. The age of 15 is the period of youth, and this is the age at which the Prophet ﷺ instructed young people to marry. Delay would be if one passes the stage of youth and enters old age without marrying.
Regarding marriage, the Prophet ﷺ’s command is very clear. He said:
"O young men, whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it helps in lowering the gaze and protecting one's modesty. And whoever cannot afford it should fast, as fasting diminishes sexual desire." (Muslim: 3400)
In this hadith, the Prophet ﷺ addressed young men, indicating that marriage should occur during youth. Puberty begins at youth, and around the age of 15, youth is in full swing. Thus, it cannot be said that the marriage of Sayyidah Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) was delayed; rather, it happened at the appropriate time.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail
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