Council of Islamic Ideology Rejects Underage Marriage Ban and Mandatory Thalassaemia Tests
Islamabad – The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Tuesday rejected several key legislative proposals, including a ban on underage marriage and mandatory thalassaemia screening before marriage, declaring them inconsistent with Islamic principles.
In a statement following a meeting chaired by CII Chairman Raghib Hussain Naeemi, the council dismissed the ‘Prohibition of Underage Marriage Bill,’ introduced by PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui, as un-Islamic. The CII argued that setting a legal minimum age for marriage contradicts Sharia law, and labelled the bill’s provisions, including punishments for underage marriage, as incompatible with Islamic teachings.
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The council also rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s ‘Ban on Marriage of Children Bill 2025,’ stating that categorizing marriage under 18 as abuse conflicts with Islamic injunctions. It noted that the bill was not referred to the council by parliament or the Senate before being proposed.
Regarding thalassaemia screening, the CII opposed making such tests mandatory before marriage, recommending instead that testing remain optional alongside efforts to raise public awareness.
The council criticised media coverage of a recent Lahore High Court ruling on a woman’s divorce petition, describing the reporting as irresponsible and urging caution and accuracy in handling sensitive legal and religious matters.
On dowry, the CII condemned demands or pressures on the bride’s family as un-Islamic, advising that marriage decisions should be guided by Islamic teachings rather than societal customs.
Additional recommendations from the meeting included:
- Advocating that married women should have the right to choose their domicile, whether at their husband’s residence or with their parents.
- Proposals to amend sections 15 and 16 of the Succession Act.
- Discussions on amendments to the Ministry of Religious Affairs Bill 2025.
- Issuing a Sharia opinion concerning NAB’s investment schemes and Mudaraba-related matters.
- Clarifying that a husband is not obligated to provide financial support to a divorced wife after the completion of her Iddah period.
- Rejecting the Western concept of marital assets as contradictory to Islamic teachings.
