Consequently, he sought the opinion of Mohamed Zeid, a professor of Islamic law at the College of Law. Nameq added his hopes that violation of the law would constitute a criminal offence so that enforcement would have some efficacy. As was its custom on sensitive issues, Al-Ahram opened its pages to readers, particularly those who offered divergent opinions. In India, for example, many girls reach puberty at the age of nine. In Egypt, however, the age is between 12 to 14.
Pathologists concur that the female pelvis reaches maturity at puberty or shortly afterwards.
The doctor then attempts to refute the health risks of premature marriage. He further argues that marrying off young women has benefits for elderly men. Young, healthy women have an abundance of robust blood that emits an invigorating stimulus which permeates the frail bodies of elderly men, heats their languid blood and activates their feeble organs. Scientific lore cites instances of old men whose white hair regained its colour and whose teeth grew back in as a result of cohabiting with young women. There can be no doubt that a girl's health at the age of puberty is at its prime and, therefore, will have the most powerful effect on men than at any other time.