Mufti Taqi Usmani urges withdrawal of Underage Marriage Bill, citing conflict with Islamic principles

Renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani, a former judge of the Federal Shariat Court, on Wednesday opposed the Underage Marriage Bill.

In his post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Mufi Taqi said the bill regarding marriage under the age of eighteen was passed by Parliament with astonishing haste.

"The bill is not only in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, but it has also unnecessarily opened the door to disagreement and debate at a highly sensitive time — disregarding the interest of the nation and the country."

The President of Pakistan is urged not to sign this bill and to ensure it is returned for reconsideration, he urged.

Read more: “Islam allows marriage of underage girls:” Mufti Tariq Masood faces criticism online

اٹھارہ سال سے کم عمر کی شادی کے بارے میں پارلیمنٹ سے جو بل حیرت انگیز جلدبازی میں منظور کرایا گیا ہے وہ نہ صرف یہ کہ قرآن وسنت کے بالکل خلاف ہے بلکہ بلاوجہ اس نازک موقع پر اختلاف اور بحث مباحثے کادروازہ کھول کر ملک وملت کے مفاد کو پس پشت ڈالنے کے مرادف ہے صدر مملکت اس پر دستخط نہ…

— Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Official) (@muftitaqiusmani) May 21, 2025

Earlier, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman also strongly opposed the bill banning child marriage, warning that his party may take to the streets if the legislation is not withdrawn.

Speaking during Monday’s National Assembly session, Fazl criticised the timing of the bill, saying the country should focus on national unity and solidarity instead of pushing controversial laws.

He questioned whether this was the right moment to introduce a ban on marriages of individuals under 18 years of age.

Fazl urged the government to halt the bill and send it to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for review, stating that if the CII had no objections, he would not oppose it.