Council of Islamic Ideology Rejects Bill Banning Child Marriages, Citing Islamic Teachings

Strategic Insights -

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has rejected a bill aimed at outlawing child marriages in the Islamabad Capital Territory, deeming it "un-Islamic" and incompatible with Sharia law. The bill, passed by the National Assembly and endorsed by the Senate, sought to criminalize unions involving anyone under 18. The CII criticized the legislation's provision to define underage marriage as rape and impose punishments, claiming it contradicted Islamic teachings. The council also expressed concerns about the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's proposed "Child Marriage Prohibition Bill 2025," stating it was contrary to Sharia without being reviewed by the CII.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Council of Islamic Ideology rejected a bill banning child marriages, deeming it "un-Islamic" and incompatible with Sharia law.
  • The CII criticized the legislation's provision to define underage marriage as rape and impose punishments, claiming it contradicted Islamic teachings.
  • The council expressed concerns about the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's proposed "Child Marriage Prohibition Bill 2025," stating it was contrary to Sharia without being reviewed by the CII.
  • Sharmila Farooqui, a Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker, tabled the original federal bill in parliament.
  • The CII emphasized the importance of keeping marriage procedures free from unnecessary complexities, in accordance with Islamic principles.
  • The council condemned societal pressure on families, particularly brides, to provide dowries, calling the practice un-Islamic.
  • The CII proposed allowing women to retain either their husband's or parents' domicile after marriage, as per Islamic law.
  • The council reiterated that, under Islamic law, a husband is not financially liable for his divorced wife following the completion of her Iddat (waiting period).

Statistics:

  • 18 as the age of consent defined in the rejected bill
  • The number of underage marriages in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) is not specified
  • The CII recommended mandatory thalassemia testing before marriage for couples in Sindh, in accordance with the Sindh Prevention and Control of Thalassemia Act 2013
  • The CII formed a committee to review and propose amendments to Section 7 of the "Muslim Family Laws Amendment Bill 2025"

Sources:

  • The meeting statement of the Council of Islamic Ideology rejected the federal bill, originally tabled by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Sharmila Farooqui.
  • The Sindh Prevention and Control of Thalassemia Act 2013 is cited as a mandatory thalassemia testing act.
  • The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's proposed "Child Marriage Prohibition Bill 2025" is mentioned as contrary to Sharia law.