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Fatwa CenterThe Perfect Age to Marry
Question
I want to ask when is the 'perfect' age for marriage. A friend of my mother knows a brother who is looking to get married so, my friend's mother wanted to nominate me. Should I say yes and wait till I finish high school (I'm 16) or should I get married now?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
We cannot define a specific age for marriage. But, as a general rule, if a boy or girl reaches the age of puberty, they should not delay the marriage if they are able to marry.
Know that being a student is not contrary to marriage at all; one may continue studies even after marriage. The assumption that study after marriage is difficult is not correct.
However, if acquiring knowledge is about belief and the fundamentals of Islam, like the prayer, fasting, Zakaah, Hajj and other kinds of compulsory knowledge which is compulsory on all individuals to correct one's faith and to worship Allah truly, then in such a case, one should give priority to this knowledge over marriage. Learning such knowledge does not require more than a few months and then one can marry.
If the knowledge is a communal obligation or not compulsory, then giving preference to the marriage over acquiring this knowledge is better. This ruling is based upon many Ahadeeth that urge marriage and warn against abstaining from it.
The Prophet said: “O young people! Whoever can marry should marry, as it helps to lower one’s gaze, and protects one’s private parts, and whoever is not able to marry should fast, as this helps him to protect his private parts (from committing illegal sexual intercourse).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood]
It was also reported that Anas 
narrated that some of the Companions asked the wives of the Prophet about the acts that he performed in private. Someone among them (among his Companions) said: I will not marry women; someone among them said: I will not eat meat; and someone among them said: I will not lie down in bed. He (the Prophet ) praised Allah and glorified Him, and said: “What has happened to these people that they say such and such, whereas I observe prayer and sleep too; I observe fast and I break my fast, and I marry women. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not one of us.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Imam Ahmad and At-Tirmithi narrated from ‘Ali that the Prophet said addressing him: “‘Ali, there are three matters which should not be deferred: the prayer when its time is due, the funeral as soon it is ready and the case of a woman without a husband, when there is a suitable match for her.”
Imam At-Tirmithi narrated with a good chain as confirmed by Shaykh Al-Albaani that the Prophet said: “If a man whose religion and moral conduct are pleasing to you proposes to you, then let him marry; otherwise there will be great mischief and corruption on earth.”
Therefore, denial from the girls or their guardians to marry before completing study is contrary to the Sunnah which urges young men and women to get married. Also, there are many harms in delaying one's marriage.
Allah knows best.
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