Whether its advisable for people born in the US or UK and raised there to marry only people from their own community
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 Burhan. Assalamalaikum. May Allah reward you enormously for your great
services for Islam.
Brother
, i want to ask you whether its advisable for people born in the US or UK and
raised there to marry only people from their own community and having the same
way of brought-up ?? I`m from Pakistan and I`ve proposals from the US but my
relatives advise my family not to proceed the matter since after getting
married , great compatibility problems arise and mostly ends up in separation.
What do you say about it ?and what does Islam say about marrying someone from a
different culture , even if they are practicing Muslims ??
Plz
reply me as soon as possible.Its urgent.
Jazak
Allah.
(There may be some grammatical and spelling
errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from
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confidentiality.)
Answer:
Marry from different culture
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 no one (no idol, no person, no
grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai,
nobody!) 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 23 Surah Al-Mu’minun verse 52:
And
this ‘Ummah’ of yours is one ‘Ummah’,
and I (Allah) am your Lord, so fear Me alone!
Beloved Sister in Islam, the question you have posed has
two distinct aspects:
- Would
it be Islamically legal to marry a believer who is not from their same
background or culture
- Would
it be better to marry one who has the same background rather than with one
who comes from a different background and culture.
The Ummah of Islam is one brotherhood, and Islam
absolutely permits one who has professed belief in Allah and His Last Messenger
(saws) to marry any eligible, chaste, believing woman of his choice, regardless
of her color, race, language, culture, background, nationality, etc. Such a marriage would be absolutely legal
and permissible in the sight of Shariah.
The other aspect is whether it is advisable or best to
choose a girl who has a similar back-ground, education level, likes and
dislikes, common language, etc. to one who does not. There is absolutely no doubt that when one has a common
background and similar culture and language, the communication and compatibility
of the couple, between themselves and their extended families, would be much
better than one who does not have a similar background. But if one, for whatever reason, chooses to
marry an eligible believer from a completely different background or culture or
race, there is absolutely no harm and no restriction in Islam and such factors
do not effect the validity of their marriage in any way.
Allah is our witness, if one follows the simple but
extremely invaluable and effective advice of the Messenger of Allah (saws) when
choosing a spouse, the chances of a successful marriage are enhanced
enormously.
When choosing a girl for marriage:
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.27 Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (saws) said, "A woman is
married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and
her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a
loser."
When choosing a boy for marriage:
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.'
What do you say
about it ?
In my humble opinion, background, wealth, beauty,
education, social status, reputation, compatibility, age, piety, etc. are
amongst the several key and valid factors one looks for when choosing for a
spouse to marry; but only when one gives supreme weight to the ‘religious and
piety’ factor when choosing a spouse, one would enormously increase the chances
of a successful marriage.
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
Wister