By: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
"And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing."
[Surah An-Nur: 32]
This verse emphasizes that poverty should not prevent marriage. It is possible that Allah (SWT) will turn financial difficulties into ease and abundance after marriage through His grace and blessings.
"There are three people whom Allah will surely help: a person who marries with the intention of maintaining chastity, a slave who makes a contract for freedom and fulfills it, and one who fights in the cause of Allah."
[Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi: 1655, Musnad Ahmad, Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Sahih Ibn Hibban]
"A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I have come to give myself to you in marriage.' The Prophet (ﷺ) looked at her and lowered his gaze. When she realized that he had not made a decision, she sat down. A companion stood up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, marry her to me if you have no need for her.' The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, 'Do you have anything to offer as a dowry?' The man replied, 'By Allah, I have nothing.' The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, 'Go to your house and look for something.' The man went and returned, saying, 'By Allah, I found nothing.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Search, even if it is just an iron ring.' The man went again and returned, saying, 'O Messenger of Allah, I could not find even that, but I have this lower garment. I will give half of it to her.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'What will she do with your lower garment? If you wear it, she will have nothing, and if she wears it, you will have nothing.' The man sat down until the gathering was long, and then he left. The Prophet (ﷺ) saw him leaving and called him back. The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked, 'Do you know anything from the Qur'an?' The man replied, 'I know such-and-such Surahs.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'I marry her to you in exchange for what you know of the Qur'an.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 5087]
Question:
Is it necessary to have abundant resources for marriage? If a financially constrained individual gets married, is there any objection from the Shariah perspective? Please provide guidance based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.Answer:
From an Islamic perspective, one should distance themselves from societal customs and focus on simplicity. Financial constraints should not act as a barrier to marriage, as Allah (SWT) may remove poverty through the blessings of marriage.Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
"And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing."
[Surah An-Nur: 32]
This verse emphasizes that poverty should not prevent marriage. It is possible that Allah (SWT) will turn financial difficulties into ease and abundance after marriage through His grace and blessings.
Support from the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:"There are three people whom Allah will surely help: a person who marries with the intention of maintaining chastity, a slave who makes a contract for freedom and fulfills it, and one who fights in the cause of Allah."
[Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi: 1655, Musnad Ahmad, Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim, Sunan An-Nasa’i, Sahih Ibn Hibban]
Story of a Marriage with Minimal Resources
It is narrated by Sahl ibn Sa‘d As-Sa‘idi (رضي الله عنه):"A woman came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I have come to give myself to you in marriage.' The Prophet (ﷺ) looked at her and lowered his gaze. When she realized that he had not made a decision, she sat down. A companion stood up and said, 'O Messenger of Allah, marry her to me if you have no need for her.' The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, 'Do you have anything to offer as a dowry?' The man replied, 'By Allah, I have nothing.' The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, 'Go to your house and look for something.' The man went and returned, saying, 'By Allah, I found nothing.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Search, even if it is just an iron ring.' The man went again and returned, saying, 'O Messenger of Allah, I could not find even that, but I have this lower garment. I will give half of it to her.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'What will she do with your lower garment? If you wear it, she will have nothing, and if she wears it, you will have nothing.' The man sat down until the gathering was long, and then he left. The Prophet (ﷺ) saw him leaving and called him back. The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked, 'Do you know anything from the Qur'an?' The man replied, 'I know such-and-such Surahs.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'I marry her to you in exchange for what you know of the Qur'an.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 5087]
Key Lessons from the Hadith
- Simplicity in Marriage:
- The Prophet (ﷺ) married the companion to the woman with minimal material resources, proving that wealth is not a prerequisite for marriage.
- Minimal Dowry (Mahr):
- The dowry can be adjusted according to one's financial ability. Islam does not set a fixed amount for Mahr, leaving it flexible based on the couple’s situation.
- Encouragement of Marriage:
- Marriage is a means of protecting oneself from immorality and maintaining chastity. Even with limited financial means, marriage is encouraged as Allah's blessings often follow.
Practical Application Today
Most people today have better financial conditions than the companion in the story. Many have adequate clothing, housing, and basic necessities. Therefore, abandoning unnecessary cultural customs and conducting marriage according to the Sunnah is the best approach. By doing so:- Extravagant Expenses Can Be Avoided:
Simple weddings align with the Islamic teachings and reduce financial burdens. - Mahr Can Be Adjusted:
The dowry should be modest and based on the groom's ability to pay. - Chastity and Protection from Immorality:
Marriage serves as a safeguard against immorality, making it essential to prioritize marriage over societal pressures.