KUANTAN: Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman has urged some parents to let their children focus on studies, instead of looking into the prospects of underage marriage.
He said poverty-stricken families who viewed underage marriage as a means to provide a better life for their children should be aware that education was a better path in life.
"Education is the most important thing for your child. Let them finish schooling first be it for girls or boys.
"If you are financial unstable, seek help, and apply for zakat for instance. There are many avenues," he told the New Straits Times.
Abdul Rahman said the provision for underage marriage was not necessarily an encouragement for such a union.
"I also do not like to see children getting married, especially to much older men. It is unsuitable for people of such a young age to get married.
"But sometimes there are reasons why they have to, such as pregnancy out of wedlock, or because they (a couple) spend too much time together (and possibly leads to slander).
"Things like these (the said factors behind underage marriage) could lead to much more issues, and if in the future they feel unsuited for one another, there is always the option of divorce," he said, adding that Islam has always made things easy for its followers.
However, Abdul Rahman stated that those interested to marry below the legal age needed to get the Syariah Court's permission for Muslims while non-Muslims needed consent from the Menteri Besar.
The procedure would involve a strict procedure involving consent from a minor's father. He said those who marry without permission would be punished by law.
Abdul Rahman said checks would also be carried out to ascertain intentions behind the marriage.
"If we are doubtful and feel it (intention) is unsuitable, the application will be rejected.
"The Syariah law allows underage marriage but we have placed guidelines and procedures to ensure it is not abused," he said, adding that many have failed to obtain approval throughout the years.
He was commenting on Pahang's rejection of the Federal Government’s proposal to increase the minimum marriageable age to 18.
Abdul Rahman also urged potential couples to find compatible partners or "kafa'ah", for marriage.
Kafa'ah, he said, applied in all aspects in life including the suitable age of a husband and wife.
"If a 40 or 50-year-old man wants to marry a 14-year old girl, clearly this is unsuitable. There must be a valid reason to do so because surely this makes society uncomfortable."
Civil law stipulates that the legal age of marriage for non-Muslims is 18. However, females aged 16 to 18 may marry with the consent of their state Chief Minister or Menteri Besar.
Meanwhile, Muslims may marry at 16 for girls and boys at 18. Those below the legal age can apply to Syariah Court if they plan to get married.