When we become legal or hit the age of 18, we become adults. When we become adults, our life changes. We try not to be as dependent on our parents as we used to be and our intellect is now much more developed as we’ve just graduated from high school and have learned from experiences during our adolescence.

So it time to consider take the next step in life and that’s marriage. 

Some might consider it to be a bit early and say that the guy or girl should complete their studies, buy a house, a car and then think about marriage.

That’s good but this could sometimes take a while, and the clock is ticking, next thing you know you’re 35 and still don’t have a ring on that finger.

Now early marriage has it pros but also has its cons.

Let’s check out the pros of marriage at an early age.

1. They say that there is no perfect time. Marriage is a big decision and you will still be as clueless when you are forty as you are right now. There will never come a time when you feel you're ‘ready for it'. Waiting for it will only make you lose out on what you could have right now.

2.When you marry early, there is no pressure to have kids anytime in the near future. The first few years of the marriage can be spent travelling and spending some nice time for the two of you.  Honeymoon at that underwater hotel we mentioned in What’s Trending lol. You can do alotta stuff while you’re young.  

3. Your late teenage years are the most exciting years of your life. Once gone, it never comes back. You want your significant other to be a part of that glorious phase in your life too.

4. Your kids become like your best friends when they grow up. Younger dad are so much cooler and have a stronger connection with their kids. The difference of years won’t be that much. Your kid won’t laugh at you because you’re so old school.

6. Most importantly, you stay out of committing the haram, astagfurallah. You won’t be needing a girlfriend, you will have a permanent girlfriend right beside you.

But there’s also the other side that we should look into and that’s the cons. Some of us aren’t ready yet.

So what are the cons or disadvantages of Early Marriage

1. Responsibility: Oh yes. Marriage is a huge responsibility. House and kids.
2. Teenage Life is gone: Say goodbye to the days you spent with your friends late at night. When you get married, you won’t have much time and if the clock hits 10pm, your phone doesn’t stop ringing.
3. Divorce: You’re young so it’s likely that you make stupid decisions and therefore leading to divorce.
4. Education: After marriage, it becomes harder to pursue higher education.
5. Children Upbringing: Bringing up children may be difficult. Their knowledge of child care may be limited and parental guidance is also not there.
6. Health: Health also can get affected as early pregnancy can have a negative impact on overall health primarily for women.

Marrying early may seem very romantic and convenient, but it has its problems. Couples need to get to know each other better and this takes time. Rushing into a marriage, which may not last long is not the right thing to do. 

So now you know when the right time to marry is.

But ask yourself what exactly are you searching for?

Islam has emphasized greatly on marriage.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter Al-Rum Verse 21:

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.”

Prophet Muhammad says, “No house has been built in Islam more beloved in the sight of Allah than through marriage.”

The Prophet also says, “The best people of my nation are those who get married and have chosen their wives, and the worst people of my nation are those who have kept away from marriage and are passing their lives as bachelors.”

Now there are key factors which one should pay attention to or look for in selecting his/her spouse.

Now the first, many will not agree with lol, is religiousness.

When a man came to the Prophet to seek guidance for selecting a spouse, he said, “It is binding upon you to have a religious spouse.”

The Prophet knows we love for beauty and wealth, and so he says, “A man who marries a woman for the sake of her wealth, Allah leaves him in his own condition, and one who marries her (only) for her beauty, will find in her (things) which he dislikes (unpleasing manners) and Allah will gather up all these things for one who marries her for the sake of her faith (religiousness).”

So keep religiousness as the top priority guys. This is mentioned in Wasail al-Shia.

Next, the Messenger of Allah gives great emphasis on lineage and family background, saying:

“Look very carefully and minutely as to where you are placing your child because genes and hereditary qualities are transferred in a concealed and unintentional way and have their effect.”