Remarks on the Meaning and Interpretation of the Verse 4 of the Sūra al-Ṭalāq

One of the most remarkable issues in Islamic jurisprudence is “underage marriage”. Regarding this point, comments and interpretations are found in Tafsir and Fiqh sources to the effect that underage marriage or underage relation was not understood as traditional marriage customs and rites such as betrothal or engagement, but rather the actual wedlock. This issue was dealt with in these sources within the discussions on the permissibility of marrying underage girls. There should be probable reasons that may explain why such a perverted idea was widespread within the sources and the Muslim community. And yet the really offensive point is the fact that this idea was intended to be warranted by Qur’anic verses. And to this end, the expression wa’llāī lam yaḥiḍna (… and the ones who do not menstruate …) in the surah 65/al-Ṭalāq: 4 has been taken to mean ‘the under-aged girls’ and almost a consensus is reached on this meaning. Comprised of two sections, this study aims to show the exegetical problems of this approach and also attempt to interpret that expression by taking into account the process of human biological development.