Islāmic Teaching on Matrimonial Affairs

Matrimonial affairs are also a part of social relations, but alas, as per their own thoughts, materialists have produced various classes in this area as well and consider it insulting to marry into a lower class. Therefore, regarding this, our Master, the Holy Prophet(sa) stated:

“A woman is married on the basis of four things. A wife is chosen either on account of her wealth, and/or she is chosen on account of her genealogy (i.e., nation or family), and/or she is chosen on account of her beauty and charm, and/or she is chosen on the basis of her moral and religious state; But O Believing Man! You should always chose your wife on the basis of her religious and moral state, and give precedence to the aspect of personal qualities and personal goodness. If not thy hands will ever remain in dust.”1

This blessed teaching is not only one which can make the homes of Muslims a model of Paradise, but is also a significant means by which the foundation for religious and worldly success can be set for their future generations. Furthermore, there was the personal model of the Holy Prophet(sa) in this matter. The Holy Prophet(sa) married his paternal cousin, Ḥaḍrat Zainab bint Jaḥash, to his freed slave, Zaid bin Ḥārithah(ra). In this matter, he did not care in the slightest for the ancient custom and practice of the Arabs. Similarly, the Holy Prophet(sa) himself married into every well-known tribe of the Arabs, i.e., he married in the Quraish, outside the Quraish, as well as in the Banī Isrā’īl. For these were the three main tribes settled in Arabia at the time. However, it is a shame that today many Muslims are not prepared to marry out of their own class. For example, a Sayyid is adamant that his daughter only marry into the home of another Sayyid. A Rājpūt is persistent that his daughter only become the wife of another Rājpūt. A Kakaiza’ī is obstinate that his daughter only be wed to a Kakaiza’ī, and in this manner the golden teaching of the Holy Prophet(sa) and his blessed example have been dismissed.