Why do courts consider a woman who reaches 25 years of age an "old maid" (عانس), what is the reason for this designation and what is meant by it, and what is its benefit?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
In the Arabic language, an 'ānis' (spinster/bachelor) is someone who has delayed marriage after reaching maturity. This term applies to both men and women, although its use for women is more common. It is a linguistic term, not a Shariah-specific one. If a court designates a specific age, such as twenty-five, as the age of an 'ānis,' it is merely a conventional designation.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/69200
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 69200
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- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy