Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
Can a man's financial status—whether wealth or poverty—be considered at the time of marriage?
It is permissible to consider the financial condition—wealth or poverty—of a man with whom a marital relationship is being established. There is no legal (Sharʿī) prohibition against this. However, it should not be taken as the primary criterion. The true standard in Islamic teachings is religious commitment (dīn-dārī) and nobility of character. All other factors are secondary.
❀ Sayyidah Fāṭimah bint Qays رضي الله عنها narrated:
"Abū ʿAmr bin Ḥafṣ رضي الله عنه divorced her three times in his absence. He then sent some barley through his agent. Seeing the small amount, she became upset. The agent said, ‘By Allah! You have no right upon us.’
She went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and presented the entire matter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘You are not entitled to maintenance from him.’
He ﷺ instructed her to observe her ʿiddah in the house of Umm Sharīk. But then he said:
‘Umm Sharīk is a woman whose house is frequently visited by my Companions. Instead, observe your ʿiddah in the house of Ibn Umm Maktūm, as he is a blind man. If you remove your garments (for any reason), it will cause no harm.’
Then he ﷺ added:
‘When your ʿiddah ends, inform me.’
She said:
“When my ʿiddah was complete, I informed him. Two men had sent proposals: Muʿāwiyah bin Abī Sufyān رضي الله عنهما and Abū Jahm رضي الله عنه.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘As for Abū Jahm, he strikes a lot (is harsh), and Muʿāwiyah is a poor man, he has no wealth. Instead, marry Usāmah bin Zayd.’
I replied, ‘I don’t like him.’
The Prophet ﷺ said again:
‘Marry Usāmah bin Zayd.’
So I married him, and Allah placed so much goodness and blessings in that marriage that I became pleased with him and even admired him.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1480, al-Muntaqā by Ibn al-Jārūd: 760
① It is permissible to look at a man's financial status when considering marriage.
② However, this should not be the primary criterion.
③ The main standard is his religious commitment and character.
④ Wealth and poverty are secondary considerations.
⑤ The Prophet ﷺ explicitly advised against marrying based solely on wealth or social position, prioritizing piety and suitability instead.
❖ Question:
Can a man's financial status—whether wealth or poverty—be considered at the time of marriage?
✿ Answer:
It is permissible to consider the financial condition—wealth or poverty—of a man with whom a marital relationship is being established. There is no legal (Sharʿī) prohibition against this. However, it should not be taken as the primary criterion. The true standard in Islamic teachings is religious commitment (dīn-dārī) and nobility of character. All other factors are secondary.
❖ Hadith Reference:
❀ Sayyidah Fāṭimah bint Qays رضي الله عنها narrated:
"Abū ʿAmr bin Ḥafṣ رضي الله عنه divorced her three times in his absence. He then sent some barley through his agent. Seeing the small amount, she became upset. The agent said, ‘By Allah! You have no right upon us.’
She went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and presented the entire matter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘You are not entitled to maintenance from him.’
He ﷺ instructed her to observe her ʿiddah in the house of Umm Sharīk. But then he said:
‘Umm Sharīk is a woman whose house is frequently visited by my Companions. Instead, observe your ʿiddah in the house of Ibn Umm Maktūm, as he is a blind man. If you remove your garments (for any reason), it will cause no harm.’
Then he ﷺ added:
‘When your ʿiddah ends, inform me.’
She said:
“When my ʿiddah was complete, I informed him. Two men had sent proposals: Muʿāwiyah bin Abī Sufyān رضي الله عنهما and Abū Jahm رضي الله عنه.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘As for Abū Jahm, he strikes a lot (is harsh), and Muʿāwiyah is a poor man, he has no wealth. Instead, marry Usāmah bin Zayd.’
I replied, ‘I don’t like him.’
The Prophet ﷺ said again:
‘Marry Usāmah bin Zayd.’
So I married him, and Allah placed so much goodness and blessings in that marriage that I became pleased with him and even admired him.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1480, al-Muntaqā by Ibn al-Jārūd: 760
Conclusion:
① It is permissible to look at a man's financial status when considering marriage.
② However, this should not be the primary criterion.
③ The main standard is his religious commitment and character.
④ Wealth and poverty are secondary considerations.
⑤ The Prophet ﷺ explicitly advised against marrying based solely on wealth or social position, prioritizing piety and suitability instead.
