Question:
Salaam,
My name is [private] and my husbands name is [private]. We have known each other for 6 years and performed a secret nikah at the age of 18 after getting permission from Shaykh Muhammad in Cyprus. My parents wont allow me to marry him as he is different caste. They are very upset with me because I wont consider anybody who they show me for marriage. They said that they have found someone who is on the same level in religion as my choice, and said they will find me someone very religious. My mother has told me that I will get gunnah (sin) all my life for not respecting/listening to my parents choice, and they have said they will get me married to my own choice and then they don’t want anything to do with me. Please give some advice and perform istekhara?
Jzk Khair
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
The Prophet (SAW) said: “When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, agree to his request. If you do not do so, there will be on Earth an extensive corruption.” [Tirmidhi, Nasai’i and Ibn Majah]
Many of great sahaba (RA) such as Bilal al-Habashi (from Ethiopia), Salman al-Farsi (from Persia), Suhayb Ar-Rumi (from Rome) were not judged on their origins or descent but rather on their Islamic character.
Imam Senad Agic
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
American Islamic Center – Chicago
