Marriage is a system that binds a man and a woman together; it is a social and legal contract between a couple and the state that governs their economic and sexual relationships. In our society, marriage is common. It signifies responsibility, love, and trust. However, many people in our city are still unmarried even at older ages. If we talk about Islamic rights, marriage is permitted from the age of twelve in Islam, yet there are men and women aged thirty to forty who remain unmarried. Islamic rights of marriage include the importance of dowry (mahr), protection, respect, and safeguarding of rights. From a worldly perspective, mutual respect, love, responsibility, emotional support, and personal space are essential for a life partner, both in worldly and Islamic contexts.

Reasons for Late Marriages

Wrong Partner Selection

Finding the right partner takes time, which can lead to delays in marriage.

Financial Conditions

Some individuals wish to marry but lack the financial means, causing delays until they can arrange finances.

Personal Preferences

A boy may like a girl or vice versa but hesitate to inform their families, resulting in delayed marriages.

Dowry Issues: Concerns regarding dowry can also lead to delays in marriage.

Education and Career

People often focus on higher education and career development, which pushes back the age of marriage.

Family Expectations

Some individuals wait for the right time according to family expectations or traditions.

Personal Issues

Some families prioritize marrying within their own community, contributing to delays.

8Physical Appearance: The emphasis on physical beauty can delay marriage, with parents sometimes telling thirty-year-old sons that they are still "children."

High Dowries

The expectation of high dowries (e.g., two to three million rupees) can also delay marriages. Instead of building numerous mosques or panels, we should focus on facilitating marriages for less privileged girls to reduce immoral activities.

Consequences of Late Marriage

Challenges in Childbearing

As age increases, complications in pregnancy and health issues can arise, leading to mental stress for parents.
Family Pressure

Late marriages can result in pressure and questioning from family members.

Feelings of Loneliness

Individuals may feel isolated due to late marriages, especially when friends and close ones are already married.
Complications in Relationships: Delaying marriage can lead to differences in expectations and traditions within partnerships, causing relationship difficulties.

Physical Health Issues

Aging can bring about health problems that may affect married life.

Loss of New Experiences

Delaying marriage may result in missed opportunities and experiences.

Material Desires

A strong desire for financial stability can distance individuals from personal happiness.

Generational Gap

Late marriages create a generational gap between parents and children, which can be problematic.

Difficulty Finding a Partner

The longer one remains unmarried, the harder it may become to find a suitable life partner.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that marriages are based on four foundations: beauty, wealth, lineage, and piety; he advised focusing on piety as the best criterion.
Additionally, individuals who remain unmarried may become involved in immoral activities, such as viewing inappropriate content on social media or engaging in illicit behaviors. For instance, a few years ago, a tragic incident involving an eight-year-old girl named Asifa highlighted the dangers faced by those who are unmarried.
In conclusion, addressing the reasons behind late marriages is crucial for fostering a safer and more stable society. A tragic incident occurred in Kolkata at RG Kar College, where a doctor was raped and subsequently murdered. This highlights the fact that girls are not safe, and one of the underlying issues is that many young men are unmarried, which may lead them to commit wrongful acts. If young people were to marry at the right time, girls would be safer. We need to change our mindset regarding this issue to ensure the safety of our sisters, daughters, and mothers. To protect girls from sexual assault, it is essential to encourage timely marriages for both boys and girls. For those who cannot afford the expenses of marriage, we should adopt Islamic practices and consider simple marriages, even if it means marrying with dates, to steer clear of immoral actions. However, some individuals believe that a wedding should cost around two million rupees, disregarding the implications this has on society.
if you care about your children's hereafter and want to protect their dignity and keep them away from wrongdoing, please arrange their marriages as soon as possible so they can stay away from immoral activities.

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