As-Salamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh: I know that there is discussion and controversy about the age at which women become applicable for marriage and consummation. What age can a male consummate at? Is it allowed that a 15 year old male marry and consummate with a 35 year old female? Is it that at the only social hindrance on a male is the financial ability to afford to support the wife? JazakAllah Khayr. Was-Salamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Alhamdu Lillah

Marriage for both genders has no minimum age. Consummating marriage has no minimum age in Islam too. However, allowing a couple to consummate their marriage is stipulated on their psychological and physical ability.  This rule could be proven by the juristic maxim (Permissibility is the default rule unless otherwise proven).

However, the cultural norms and traditions are to be taken into consideration as well.  So, if it is a socially unacceptable practice for a 15 years old boy to marry a 35 years old woman, such a marriage could be prevented (but not prohibited) by the Muslim authority, especially when there are serious consequences for such a marriage, like taking advantage of the other party and financially abusing him/her.

The evidence for the permissibility of stopping such a marriage is the saying of the Prophet SAAW (Neither harming one’s self, nor causing harm to others are allowed). لا ضرر ولا ضرار