EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, YOGYAKARTA — Evi Sofia Inayati, Chairperson of the Central Board of ‘Aisyiyah, emphasized that Islam does not legitimize child marriage. She said the belief that religion permits child marriage stems from an inaccurate understanding of Islamic source.
Speaking on the Harmoni Keluarga program hosted by Hasna on Friday (3/7), Evi described child marriage as an iceberg phenomenon. The cases visible to the public, she said, represent only a small fraction of a much larger underlying problem.
“One of the factors behind the prevalence of child marriage is a misunderstanding of the religious perspective,” she said.
Evi explained that one of the texts frequently cited to justify child marriage is the hadith concerning the marriage of Aisyah to the Prophet Muhammad. According to her, the narration should not be used as a basis for legitimizing child marriage today.
She noted that the Prophet’s marriage to Aisyah took place during the Meccan period. Meaning, the marriage happened before Islamic family law, including regulations governing marriage, had been revealed. Therefore, she argued, the event should be understood within its historical context rather than generalized into a legal ruling applicable to all circumstances.
In addition, Evi stressed that the marriage occurred by divine instruction rather than through the Prophet’s personal initiative alone. She said this aspect is essential and should not be overlooked when interpreting the narration.
She also referred to historical studies suggesting that Aisyah’s reported age at marriage deserves critical reexamination. By comparing the ages of Aisyah and her older sister, Asma binti Abu Bakar, some scholars estimate that Aisyah may have been significantly older than the age commonly cited in popular accounts.
“These hadiths must be understood critically and comprehensively. They cannot simply be used to justify child marriage,” she said.
Maturity is Essential for Marriage
According to Evi, one Qur’anic basis emphasizing the importance of maturity in marriage is Surah An-Nisa verse 6. She explained that the term rusyd in the verse signifies maturity across multiple dimensions of life.
“Maturity includes spiritual, physical, psychological, social, and economic readiness. Marriage requires all of these, so there is no religious basis that encourages child marriage,” she said.
Furthermore, Evi warned that the consequences of child marriage. She argued that the impact extend far beyond the couple themselves, affecting families and society as a whole. She described it as a vicious cycle that must be broken because it generates a chain of new social problems.
Children, she argued, should be regarded as individuals whose rights to education, healthcare, psychological development, and spiritual growth must be fulfilled. However, when they are married before reaching maturity, they become objects used to resolve adult problems.
“Children should be treated as subjects whose rights still need to be fulfilled. When they are treated as objects and married before they are ready, numerous new problems inevitably arise,” she said.
Evi explained that child marriage often leads to new forms of poverty because young couples generally lack economic preparedness. Moreover, they are typically unprepared to raise children, forcing grandparents to shoulder parenting responsibilities. At the same time, the risk of marital conflict is especially high during the early years of marriage.
She also cautioned that if the practice continues on a large scale, it could undermine the nation’s human capital by depriving children of opportunities to develop their full potential.
Prevention Requires Collective Action
To prevent child marriage, Evi said preventive measures must begin early. Parents should understand effective parenting approaches, provide guidance on appropriate social conduct as children enter puberty, and foster close family relationships that encourage healthy communication.
In addition, adolescents should receive education that encourages them to prioritize schooling, develop their talents, and prepare for the future before entering married life.
“Young people must be given opportunities to grow, be creative, and become productive so they are fully prepared when they reach marriageable age,” she said.
Evi also underscored the importance of complying with regulations governing marriage dispensations. She noted that failure to follow legal procedures often leads families to arrange unregistered marriages after dispensation requests are rejected, creating additional legal and social complications.
Therefore, she urged broader public education on marriage dispensation regulations so that parents and young people alike understand them as safeguards for children’s futures.
For couples who have already married as minors, Evi called for continued access to education. She said society, families, and the government share responsibility for helping them complete their schooling while equipping them to build healthier and more stable families.
“They should not be forced to drop out of school. They must continue to have opportunities to study and receive guidance so they can become more prepared,” she said.
Concluding her remarks, Evi reiterated that preventing child marriage is a shared responsibility.
“Islam does not encourage child marriage. What it encourages is preparing for marriage properly once a person has reached maturity. Preventing child marriage, therefore, is a collective obligation for the future of our children and our nation,” she concluded.
