Is Marriage with a Large Age Gap Permissible in Islam?

Excerpt taken from Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani’s book: "Ahkām wa Masā’il – In the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah"

❖ Question:​

I married a 21-year-old girl approximately one year ago, while I was 52 years old at the time. The girl was pleased and content with the marriage and with living with me. Allah has also blessed us with a child through this marriage. However, some people objected to this union, stating that such a marriage is impermissible due to the significant age difference between us. Kindly clarify the Islamic ruling regarding our marriage.

❖ Answer:​

From the details of your question, it is evident that you married a girl who is significantly younger than you. However, she was pleased with the marriage, content to live with you, and Allah has granted you a child through this union.


If the girl:

• Was genuinely pleased and consenting to the marriage,
• Was intellectually mature and sensible,
• And her guardians also consented to the marriage in a customary and recognized manner —
  then this marriage is absolutely valid and permissible in Islam.

There is no evidence in the Shari‘ah to suggest that a marriage becomes impermissible solely due to a large age gap between the spouses.


Those who objected to your marriage and claimed it to be invalid or impermissible are, in fact, mistaken. Their objection is unfounded and not supported by Islamic teachings.