Mufti Tariq Masood (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
One of the remarks highlighted in the report came from a viral video in which Masood joked that if someone could not find a 16-year-old bride, he could provide “two eight-year-olds” or “four four-year-olds”. The comment drew criticism from people who said it trivialised child marriage and normalised the sexualisation of minors.
He has argued that Islamic jurisprudence does not prescribe a universal minimum age of 18 and that parents or guardians should retain discretion over when a girl marries, according to the report.
The Daily Mirror said the backlash was dismissed by supporters as a misunderstanding, with the remark defended as a joke taken out of context. A recurring theme in his sermons, the newspaper said, is the emphasis on physical development and perceived maturity rather than chronological age when determining whether a girl is ready for marriage. The newspaper also pointed to Masood’s repeated opposition to statutory minimum marriage-age laws. The preacher had made remarks discussing the physical suitability of girls aged nine and ten in the context of marital relations.