Equality in Age Between the Spouses

Question:
We conclude this session with this question from one of the sisters. She says: Shaykh, is it necessary for the young man and the young woman to be of equal age in marriage? Because some young men hesitate to marry a righteous woman if she is a few years older than them?

Answer:
Yes, if they are of the same age, or if the woman is younger than him, that is better. But there is no objection to an older woman marrying a young man, and no objection to a younger woman marrying an older man. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, commanded marriage, saying: "Marry the unmarried among you." He did not specify an age in this. It is not permissible to set age limits in this, because that is withholding what Allah has made permissible and is a restriction on the marriage that Allah has commanded. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When there comes to you one whose religion and trustworthiness, or character, you are pleased with, then marry him to her." He did not specify a particular age. So if a suitable suitor comes forward and the woman being proposed to consents to him, then she should be married to him and not prevented. When there comes to you one whose religion and trustworthiness you are pleased with, then marry him to her. If you do not do so, there will be great fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and corruption in the land. Yes.