Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother!

My parents have asked me to take a decision on my marriage. The family is all well, but the guy works in a bank. I have very clear understanding that any association with interest is strictly forbidden. This is the only factor I do not want to go ahead with the marriage. My parents do not seem to take it as an appropriate reason to say no.

They have asked me to do istikhara also, but I suppose istikhara is not for matters that are pre-decided in religion and are clearly talked about.

I also take hijab & my parents consider it as an obstacle to my marriage & good proposals. I have faith in Allah but somehow I can’t seem to convince my parents, and I cannot upset them either. There is not other reason I should say a no, but this alone is such a big factor for me.

The only way I can see to get along such a marriage is to earn a living myself. How degrading would a husband feel if his wife would not like to share what he earns. I would appreciate if you can guide me more on the subject.

JazakAllah Khair! 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Marry one involved in riba interest

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 274-276:

But those who devour ‘riba’ become like the one whom Shaitaan has bewitched and maddened by his touch. They have been condemned to this condition because they say, “Trade is just like ‘riba”, whereas Allah has made trade halaal and ‘riba’ haraam. Henceforth, if one abstains from taking ‘riba’ after receiving this admonition from his Lord, no legal action shall be taken against him regarding the ‘riba’ he had devoured before: his case shall ultimately go to Allah. But if one repeats the same crime even after this, he shall go to Hell, where he shall abide for ever! Allah deprives ‘riba’ of all blessing and develops charity, and Allah does not like an ungrateful, sinful person.

Allah says further in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 278:

O Believers!, fear Allah and give up that ‘riba’ which is still due to you, if you are true believers. But if you do not do so, then you are warned of the declaration of war against you by Allah and His Messenger!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 161:

That they took ‘riba’, although they were forbidden. And that they devoured men’s substance wrongfully. We have prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievous punishment (of Hell Fire)!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verses 130-132:

130 O ye who believe! Devour not ‘riba’ doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that ye may (really) prosper.

131 Fear the Fire which is prepared for those who reject faith.

132 And obey Allah and the Messenger; that ye may obtain mercy.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 30 Surah Rome verse 39:

39 That which ye lay out for ‘riba’ through the property of (other) people will have no increase with Allah: but that which ye lay out for charity seeking the Countenance of Allah (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 276:

276 Allah will deprive ‘riba’ of all blessings, but He will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2829 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

Hadrat Ali (r.a.) bin Abi Taalib said he heard Allah's Messenger (saws) invoke the curse of Allah on those who took ‘riba’, those who paid it, those who recorded it, and those who refused to give sadaqah.

There is absolutely no doubt that the conventional banking system is based on the system of ‘riba’, and even though one might not be involved himself in consuming ‘riba’, their working in such institutions would make them an accomplice in promoting and facilitating what has clearly been declared forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (saws).

If one facilitates any business which deals exclusively in what has been specifically declared as ‘haraam’ or unlawful by Allah and His Messenger (saws), like ‘riba’, prostitution, pornography, intoxicants, etc., then without an iota of a doubt, one would indeed have a share in the sin according to one’s level of participation.

One cannot say with absolute conviction that the earning of every person working in a conventional bank is unlawful or haraam; but if one’s involvement with the institution facilitates the concept of ‘riba’, then without an iota of a doubt, one would indeed have a share in the sin according to one’s level of participation. It would definitely be prudent and wise of the believers to fear Allah and seek to employ their talents elsewhere and earn their livelihood from a source which is not doubtful.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 3.267 Narrated by An Numan bin Bashir

The Prophet (saws) said "Both the ‘halaal’ (legal) and the ‘haraam’ (illegal) things are obvious, and in between them are (suspicious) doubtful matters. So whoever forsakes those doubtful things lest he may commit a sin, will definitely avoid what is clearly illegal; and whoever indulges in these (suspicious) doubtful things bravely, is likely to commit what is clearly illegal. Sins are Allah's Hima (i.e. private pasture) and whoever pastures (his sheep) near it, is likely to get in it at any moment."

Your Question: ….The family is all well, but the guy works in a bank. I have very clear understanding that any association with interest is strictly forbidden. This is the only factor I do not want to go ahead with the marriage. My parents do not seem to take it as an appropriate reason to say no.

Respected sister in Islam, although a nikaah between any two non-mehram eligible believers would be lawful in the Sight of Shariah Law, the Messenger of Allah advised and recommended the believing woman and her guardians/parents to seek to marry their girls to a believer who fulfills two criteria:

1. That the person is sound in his practice of religion
2. That the person has a good character.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3090 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, 'When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so, there will be temptation on earth and extensive corruption.'

Respected sister in Islam, if you or your guardians are not thoroughly satisfied with the practice of religion of the suitor, you are well within your rights to decline the proposal and seek to marry someone with whose character and practice of religion you are thoroughly satisfied with.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan