What is your esteemed opinion on the permissibility of fondling a young wife who has not yet reached puberty, in light of the fact that mere sexual fondling may harm the girl, and that Allah linked marriage to puberty in His saying, "And test the orphans until they reach the age of marriage; then if you perceive in them sound judgment, release to them their property..." [An-Nisa 4:6], and that sexual intercourse includes both penetration and fondling, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "If this daughter of Al-Abbas reaches puberty while I am alive, I will marry her," which indicates that marriage should not occur before puberty?
The aforementioned hadith is very weak. A husband is permitted to enjoy his wife as he wishes, as long as there is no harm, and this includes masturbating her with his hand, caressing her, and kissing her, even if she is young, but with controls. The noble verse does not contain evidence for the impermissibility of marriage before puberty; rather, it pertains to the guardianship of an orphan. The mentioned statement by Al-Qurtubi regarding intercourse was not found and contradicts the Maliki school's permissibility of intercourse before puberty if the wife is capable of intercourse.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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