Marriage Without Permission (FATWA)

The Question

What do the scholars of the religion say regarding:

At what age is the nikāḥ of the boy permissible and at what age of his is it impermissible? In other words, according to the ruling of Sharī`ah, at which age does the boy reach the age of puberty? What age, in terms of years, must one be in order for nikāḥ to be permissible in the case that he has no actual person as a wakīl muṭlaq?

The Answer

When the signs of puberty manifest, which is nocturnal emission in males and the menstrual period in females, this time is the age of puberty. If there are no signs, then at the completion of 15 years of age, the ruling will be given (of puberty). If a girl has turned nine complete years old or a boy has turned 12 complete years old, they claim puberty and their physical appearance does not contradict this claim, their claim will be accepted. Until puberty is not established by one of these ways, they cannot marry without the permission of a guardian.

Allāh E knows best.

Answered by:

Imām Aḥmad Raḍā Khān V