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Abstract

This study explores the sensitive and socially significant issue of child marriage within Islamic thought, focusing on the diverse perspectives presented by Maulana Umar Ahmad Usmani, contemporary exegetes, and modern Islamic scholars. The practice of child marriage has long been debated both within traditional religious framework and in light of modern ethical, legal, and human rights discourses. Modern thinkers advocate for a re-evaluation of child marriage in light of maqasid al-shariah (objectives of Islamic law), human dignity, and contemporary socio-legal realities.The paper begins by analyzing Maulana Usmani’s position, who, while grounded in classical Islamic jurisprudence, engages with the issue through a lens of contextual understanding and social reform. His approach reflects a balance between textual fidelity and evolving human concerns. The research then examines interpretations by contemporary exegetes who often uphold traditional views, emphasizing scriptural sources, such as the Qur’an and Hadith, without substantial reinterpretation. In contrast through comparative analysis, the study highlights the hermeneutical differences in approaching sacred texts and the underlying principles guiding each group’s stance. It concludes that the issue of child marriage requires ongoing scholarly dialogue that bridges traditions and modernity, ensuring that Islamic teachings are applied with both integrity and relevance in the contemporary world.