The debate on child-marriage continued yesterday with renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi lending his voice to the argument as he advised the National Assembly against pegging marriage age at 18 years, saying this would contradict Islamic laws, international laws and the constitution.
Speaking to newsmen in Bauchi, Sheikh Dahiru said placing age restriction on marriage “will affect Muslims fundamental rights. It also violates freedom of religion, because every Muslim has a right to live and exist and to practice his religion without hindrance”.
The scholar added, “Islamic laws do not stipulate age for marriage and no one has the authority to peg marriage age for girls. Prophet Mohammed (SAW) married a six-year-old girl and she was taken to his house when she was nine. One of the prophet’s companions, Caliph Umar, married a girl at the age of nine, so pegging marriage age violates freedom of religion as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution”.
He also spoke out against same-sex marriage and advised that it should not be supported by anyone.
“Whoever supports same-sex marriage is implying that humans should stop reproduction because without marriage between a man and a woman, people will not come into the world”, he said.
Doesn’t it sound outrageous that a 9 year old girl was taken to man to become his wife? Where are these guys thinking from self? Mtcheeeew
The sheikh is contradicting himself. If he is advocating for freedom of a certain form of ideology as a basic human right then if a group of people choose to “partake” in gay marriages or any form homosexuality they should be free to do it IMO
@ Mrs Sede: Yes, the Prophet married a girl at age six, but the explanation behind it is that she was taken to his house at nine but the marraige was not consumated until after some years when she showed the major sign of maturity (which is well known) ‘cos without that it would have become a forbidden thing to do. Moreover, the law obviously cannot be enforced by the so-called lawmakers ‘cos they know how they ‘order’ for those young teenagers in their hotel rooms and we also cannot neglect the nature of our corrupt society where parties are organised for boys to join by paying but free for girls. If these are not prevented by the law, is it lawful marrying of them that will now be seen as a sin? Pls let’s be reasonable!
We can’t abandon our religious rights bcos of some people’s selfishness: Also, same sex intercourse must be stopped in Nigeria or God will punish us as He punished those before us i.e people of prophet Luth, who also engage in sodomy……
HausaFulani/Kanuri muslims are adamant to change and that is why disease, abject poverty and illiteracy are ravaging their region. Later these religious bigots will turn around blame federal govt and other regions for their underdevelopment.