Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUIF) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s announcement to launch nationwide protests against legislation barring underage marriage not only undermines national progress, but also bolsters a negative image of Islam globally.
The new law sets the marriageable age for men and women in Islamabad at 18, a long-overdue measure to protect vulnerable children—particularly girls—from exploitation and lifelong trauma. There is no shortage of reports highlighting the harmful effects of underage marriage on girls. Child brides are more likely to suffer from life-threatening complications during pregnancy and childbirth, denied educational and economic opportunities, and face an increased risk of domestic violence and poverty. Far from preserving family values or religious integrity, underage marriage perpetuates cycles of deprivation and disempowerment. To oppose efforts aimed at breaking these cycles prioritizes tradition over the wellbeing and dignity of Pakistan’s daughters.
Yet this is exactly what Rehman is espousing under the guise of cultural and religious traditions. This is not only intellectually disingenuous, but also morally indefensible. Islam, like all major world religions, emphasizes justice, compassion, and the protection of the vulnerable. When individuals exploit religion to defend outdated and harmful practices, they do a grave disservice to the faith they claim to uphold. Protests like the ones threatened by the JUIF chief cast Islam in a regressive light, further entrenching global misconceptions that Islam is incompatible with human rights and gender equality.
His reliance on “custom” as a defense is even more alarming. Customs, like all human constructs, must evolve in light of new knowledge and societal needs. Progress demands the courage to question and, when necessary, abandon customs that harm rather than help. In this particular context, any “custom” that serves to exploit young girls is undeniably harmful and requiring abolishment.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill, 2025 is a crucial step toward safeguarding the rights of children, aligning Pakistan with international human rights standards. Rather than opposing it, religious leaders should support it and help reframe Islam as a force for justice in the modern world.
Child marriage is a social injustice, not a religious duty. Rather than defending it through a reliance on archaic customs, the nation must come together to make clear that no tradition is ever used to justify the abuse of children.