Giving a Daughter’s Hand in Marriage to a Non-Praying Man

By: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)

Question:​

Can a person marry off their daughter to a man who does not pray?

Answer:​

A non-praying man (be-namazi) should not be given a girl’s hand in marriage, provided the girl herself is observant of Salah (prayer) and fasting.

Evidence from the Qur’an:​

Allah Almighty states:

"Then is one who is a believer like one who is defiantly disobedient? They are not equal."

[Surah As-Sajdah: 32:18]
A person who does not pray is considered Fasiq (rebellious and sinful). Such an individual is not a suitable match (Kufu‘) for a righteous woman who is diligent in observing prayer and fasting.

Key Principle:​

• A Fasiq man is not a compatible partner for a righteous woman who upholds the obligations of Islam, including prayer and fasting.
• Therefore, it is inappropriate to marry off a righteous girl to a non-praying man.

However, if the girl herself is non-praying (be-namazi), then the matter may differ, as compatibility would exist in such a case.

Conclusion:​

A man who does not pray is not a suitable match for a woman who is committed to her religious obligations, and thus, such a proposal should be declined.