Can I marry into a family who is in debt to my family?
Both the children are interested in doing the nikah but the parents of the daughter are now against the marriage. They claim that the family must repay the debt to them otherwise they won’t wed their daughter to them. Could you please advise?
Assalāmualaykum Warahmatullāhi Wabarakātuhu
Hāmidan Wamuswalliyan
Al Jawāb Bi’ounillāh Wa’Alayhi at Tuklān.
The Prophet alayhis Salām said “Whoever dies free from three things – arrogance, cheating and debt – will enter Paradise.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi 1572)
He Sallallāhu alayhi Wasallam said “The soul of the believer is suspended because of his debt until it is paid off.” (Narrated by al-Tirmīdhī 1078).
Islam takes the matter of debt very seriously and warns against it and urges the Muslim to avoid it as much as possible. These stern warnings about debt only came because of the negative consequences to which it leads both on an individual level and on a community level.
The debtors should be sincere in paying off their debts as soon as it may be.
Having understood the gravity of debts, that does not makes it impermissible to marry a boy from the debtor’s family.
Marriage and debts are two separate issue. If she is a suitable partner for the boy according to the teachings of Deen Al Islam, there is no reproach for her to marry the latter.
However she also needs the blessing of her parents. It should not be that bringing two stranger together and split a family which is also a major sin.
When a person finds a suitable partner, he/she should not delay in getting married (Nikāh). Try to explain to the family of the girl or seek counselling from the local Ulamā, who may approach the matter at hand.
If there is any assistance which the Dāruliftaa Mahmoodiyyah may offer, do not hesitate to contact us.
Allāh Almighty knows best.
Mufti Mohammad Ashhad bin Saeed Al Mahmūdy.
Dāruliftaa Mahmoodiyyah Mauritius.
WhatsApp +230 57554717