Childhood and Adulthood in Islam

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- Mixu Paatelainen
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Childhood and Adulthood in Islam
OP - May 28, 2009, 04:48 PM

I was having a discussion with someone about the age of Aisha and he said "In Islam, you are not allowed to marry a girl. You are only allowed to marry a woman" and said that this is evident because Aisha did not go to live with Muhammad until she started puberty.

It got me thinking that quite an incorrect assumption in Islam is that as soon as you hit puberty, you are an adult. It can't have been long after Aisha had her first period that she went to live with Muhammad because she was only 9. Also, when the men of the Banu Qurayza tribe were executed, the boys were checked if they had developed pubic hair before they could be executed. i.e, if they had pubic hair, that means they had become adults and therefore could be executed. From the beginning of puberty, fasting and salat are fardh.

I remember when I was about 12, and I was talking to my cousin and we both agreed that we wish we had died when we were young children! This is because at the age of 12, we were no longer guaranteed paradise because we were now accountable for our own sins, even though we still felt like kids!

Why does Islam consider pubescent children as adults? Is it because the harsh conditions of the Arabian peninsula at the time meant that children had to grow up fast?

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- Rashna
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Re: Childhood and Adulthood in Islam
Reply #1 - May 28, 2009, 04:54 PM

Quote from: aliadiere on May 28, 2009, 04:48 PM
Why does Islam consider pubescent children as adults? Is it because the harsh conditions of the Arabian peninsula at the time meant that children had to grow up fast?

To be fair, the ancient world would have far shorter life expectancies, like many parts of the modern world. If children were lucky to survive infancy, they would marry, have kids, the whole circle of life would be shorter.

This was true to much of the world till the early 20th century.

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Re: Childhood and Adulthood in Islam
Reply #2 - May 28, 2009, 05:00 PM

Thinking on the hoof here, but in those days the definition of an adult would have been based on the kind of things adults did, as opposed to what children did. As the requirements were much simpler i.e. agricultural existance, having kids, providing food for the family etc then you would be able to participate at a much earlier age, and gain adult status which would coincide around puberty.

Whereas in the west in order to have a job, some need a driving license, further education etc which normally begin from 18yrs old.

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- Mixu Paatelainen
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Re: Childhood and Adulthood in Islam
Reply #3 - May 28, 2009, 05:00 PM

Quote from: Rashna on May 28, 2009, 04:54 PM

To be fair, the ancient world would have far shorter life expectancies, like many parts of the modern world. If children were lucky to survive infancy, they would marry, have kids, the whole circle of life would be shorter.

This was true to much of the world till the early 20th century.

Precisely, but the thing Islam doesn't get is times change and different cultures are different, and Islam has this arrogant assumption that it is the final word of god and it is absolute for all time and cultures.

Religion - The hot potato that looked delicious but ended up burning your mouth!

Knock your head on the ground, don't be miserly in your prayers, listen to your Sidi Sheikh, Allahu Akbar! - Lounes Matoub
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Re: Childhood and Adulthood in Islam
Reply #4 - May 28, 2009, 05:57 PM

Quote from: aliadiere on May 28, 2009, 05:00 PM
Quote from: Rashna on May 28, 2009, 04:54 PM

To be fair, the ancient world would have far shorter life expectancies, like many parts of the modern world. If children were lucky to survive infancy, they would marry, have kids, the whole circle of life would be shorter.

This was true to much of the world till the early 20th century.

Precisely, but the thing Islam doesn't get is times change and different cultures are different, and Islam has this arrogant assumption that it is the final word of god and it is absolute for all time and cultures.

And that's where Islam falls down flat on it's face. Things change - man changes - society changes, norms change - but Islam remains the Lost Island of Dinosaurs.
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