Islam’s inhumane approval

The approval of child marriage and child sexual abuse in Islam, and the brutal reality in Bangladesh

The ignorance of extremist believers truly knows no bounds. When they hear that the Quran permits child marriage and sexual relations with children, their reactions fall into two categories. Some bluntly say, “None of this is in the Quran!” Others issue death threats with the machete (chapatis). Some stay silent and wait for the moment when the machete blow will be delivered, believing that by killing others they will enter paradise. Those who have done a bit of reading dismiss the renowned Quranic commentators (tafsir scholars), the Imams of authentic Hadith collections, and established Islamic scholars entirely, and instead offer their own fabricated interpretations to “defend” Islam—in simple terms, they twist and turn the facts. But the reality is that this denial has no logical basis; it is driven only by fear-mongering and ignorance.

Let us speak plainly. Quran Surah At-Talaq (65:4) clearly states: For those women who no longer expect menstruation (i.e., older women) and those who have not yet menstruated (i.e., young girls who have not reached puberty), their waiting period (iddah) is three months. When read together with 33:49, this verse directly proves that marrying a child girl, having sexual relations with her, and divorcing her—all of it is permissible. Because the rule of iddah applies only to married women with whom sexual relations have taken place. According to 33:49, if no consummation has occurred, there is no need for iddah. There are also explanations from renowned Quranic commentators on this matter (see point 13 here). And Sahih Bukhari (Hadith No. 5133 and others) clearly records that the Prophet Muhammad married Aisha when she was 6 years old and consummated the marriage with her when she was 9 years old. This is not a “weak” hadith; it is found in the most authoritative collections like Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. For over a thousand years, Islamic scholars—Ibn Kathir, Ibn Taymiyyah, and all others—have acknowledged this. Even the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia has taken a position in support of it (here). Now some modern believers come and say “None of this exists”? This is nothing but denying the truth to save themselves.

Those who lose in logical argument then resort to hurling filthy abuses at someone’s father and mother. Those who cannot even do that want to strike with a machete on the neck. And those who cannot manage that either, sit silently—counting the time until the killing. The reality in Bangladesh is even more terrifying in this regard. In the past few days alone, I have received countless death threats through Facebook! This one, this one, this one… and many more posts where Islamic extremists are openly threatening to kill me in the comment sections. In Bangladesh, atheist bloggers, free-thinkers, humanists, or critics of Islam have been murdered repeatedly. Everyone knows about the incidents from 2013–2016. On the pretext of blasphemy, mobs are gathered by announcements from mosque loudspeakers, people are beaten and burned alive, homes and temples are set on fire. Humiliation, public shaming by forcing someone to walk with shoes around the neck, and severe beatings are very common occurrences. Even now in 2025–26, attacks continue on freethinkers as well as Hindu and Buddhist communities under the excuse of blasphemy; there have also been incidents of beating people to death and then burning them alive.

In Bangladesh, even criticizing child marriage is treated by fundamentalists and Islamists as an “insult to Islam.” Yet the rate of child marriage in Bangladesh is still the highest in Asia. According to the 2025 UNICEF and BBS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), 47.2% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 13.4% before the age of 15. As a result, deaths of teenage mothers, physical torture, and the end of education—all of this continues. There is a law (minimum age 18), but in practice it is violated due to the influence of Islamic scholars and madrasas-mosques. Many Muslim leaders say, “Whatever Allah has said in the Quran is beneficial; what is the problem with following the Prophet’s Sunnah?” This is the reality of Bangladesh—anything that goes against Islam, no matter how rational, scientific, humane, or in favor of human rights, cannot be said or done.

Now let us answer some foolish questions. They say, “What do you say about the Epstein files?” or “Rabindranath also married a child!” These idiots do not even understand what they are comparing with what. The Epstein case is a heinous crime. In civilized society, the maximum punishment for it is prison, the death penalty, or life imprisonment. No one calls Epstein a “divine ideal,” nor do they claim his actions are “the best for all ages,” nor is it any country’s constitutional principle. But believers claim that their Quran is the divine word given by Allah—the constitution for the entire world. The Prophet Muhammad—his words, actions, and life—are the best ideal for all ages and for all humanity. This is not the story of an ordinary man; it is Allah’s command. So why compare it with Epstein? And Rabindranath? Yes, in 1883 he married Mrinalini Devi, who was 9–10 years old (while he himself was 22). But that was a social custom of the 19th century, a practice of Hindu society at that time. No one claims Rabindranath as a messenger sent by God, no one calls him “the ideal for all times.” No one forces others to follow his life. Criticizing him does not bring anyone running with a machete. Rabindranath’s writings are not a “divine constitution.” So, in the eyes of believers, are the Prophet Muhammad and Rabindranath at the same level? No! They call one the greatest Prophet of Allah, and the other merely a poet. This comparison traps them in their own snare.

The core question is right here: How can a divine scripture—which is claimed to be the most perfect and applicable for all ages—contain so many inhuman, unscientific, and human rights-violating matters? Child marriage, sex with children, turning war captives into sex slaves and having forced sexual relations with them, the institution of slavery, comparing women to animals—all of these are present in the Quran and Hadith. How can these be called “divine”? How can the Prophet be called “the ideal for all times”? In modern law, child marriage and sexual relations following it are directly considered rape—the most heinous crime. But in Islam, Allah Himself and His Prophet have permitted it. This is not a “cultural” matter; it is a religious command. Its consequences are visible in Bangladesh—thousands of young girls are pushed into the homes of much older husbands; their education ends, their health is ruined, and their lives are destroyed. Yet believers ask, “Where is the reference?” It was given in the previous post, and it can be found even by a simple Google search. Discussing with those who lack even the patience or ability to look it up is a waste of time.

This ignorance is not just stupidity; it is dangerous. From this blindness are born terrorism, murder, and violence against women. In a country like Bangladesh, where Islam is not officially the state religion but its influence on society is extremely strong, child marriage is decreasing very slowly. At the current rate, it will take 215 years to eradicate it completely. Why? Because religious leaders invoke Sharia and obstruct the law. This is the truth. Islam claims to be the best way of life for humanity. But in reality, it conflicts with human rights, it is inhuman, unscientific, and dangerous to health. If Allah is all-knowing, why did He make the customs and norms of 7th-century Arabia the eternal ideal for the entire world? This is not divinity; it is a man-made system created to hold onto power.

No matter how much believers deny it, no matter how many threats they issue, the truth remains the same. Child marriage is permitted in Islam. The Prophet’s life is proof of it. The girls of Bangladesh are its victims. And those who challenge this either face abuse, or machete blows, or silently wait to be killed. Speaking out against this ignorance is now the only path. Because no religion can be saved by denying the truth. Reality always wins in the end.