My Parents Disapprove of Marriage, What to Do?

10 February, 2020
Q As-salamu'alaikum, my issue is I am in love with a girl who is very handsome and educated. She is a girl with a good career. Once my parents visited her house a miscommunication occurred and the interaction between both the families was not good. This ends with parting between us.

Now my parents want me to marry someone else; she is also good looking and educated but I can't forget the first one, I can't get her out of my mind. But my parents said if I want to marry her, they won't talk to me. I can stay at her house but my parents won't have any relation with me.

By the way, that girl left many people because of me. But everything comes to parents here. But I am missing her a lot. This is a very serious issue and I'm very worried, moreover, my parents are very much at unease. I need some advice. Waiting for your prompt reply.

Answer

In this counseling answer:

•I would kindly suggest brother, that if you and the girl desire to marry that you do so.

•I would respectfully and kindly sit with your parents and inform them of your decision.

•Use the Qur’an to illustrate how we are to chose our mates.


As-salamu alaykum brother,

Thank you for writing to us with your most important concerns and issues. I can understand why you are upset and distraught. You are denied the chance to marry one whom you would like to due to a parental miscommunication.

We are to love, be kind to and respect our parent and it is a sin to treat them poorly or with disrespect. However, as adults, we are free to choose whom we will marry as long as that person is within Islamic guidelines for a marriage partner.

It appears you both are, thus it is a shame that your parents have “forbidden” the marriage and threatened to cut you off, which is a sin as well. In fact, it was reported that

 

“ A’isha reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Kinship (rahim) is derived from Allah. If anyone maintains ties of kinship Allah maintains ties with him. If anyone cuts them off, Allah cuts him off.” Therefore, your parents threats to cut you off as well as their grandchildren is a very serious offense.

 

Sadly, there are many proposals that could have produced happy, long marriages if it were not for parental interference. As your “fiance” accepted your proposal and does, in fact, want to marry you, there is no reason for you both not to marry. As we see from the following hadith it is her decision.

“A previously married woman has more right to decide about herself (with regard to marriage) than her guardian, and a virgin should be asked for permission with regard to marriage, and her permission is her silence.”

It further states “Seek the permission of women with regard to marriage.” It was said: “What if a virgin is too shy and remains silent?” He said: “That is her permission.”

While we desire to listen to our parents out of respect, love and Islamic law, there are obligations parents have to children as well. One includes not preventing a lawful marriage as we are commanded to marry.

While they may feel they are right in their denial and you may feel that you must obey their command regarding this, it is not true. You are grown. Their denial appears to be based on cultural norms from your region as well as miscommunications between the families.

I would kindly suggest brother, that if you and the girl desire to marry that you do so. I would respectfully and kindly sit with your parents and inform them of your decision. Use the Qur’an to illustrate how we are to chose our mates. Please do also point out the ayats wherein Allah forbids us to cut off family.

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Insha’Allah point out that while you love and respect them very much and will always care for them, you have decided to marry this girl. Additionally, as there was a miscommunication between the families, I would offer to set up a meeting to sort out the problem.

I suspect there will be anger, hurt and upset feelings regarding your decision, however, this is to be expected. Make duaa to Allah to soften their hearts and insha’Allah over time they will get over their anger and begin to accept what it is that they had no power over.


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In fact, it might not even be about you and the girl but more about power and ego-which is haram. While it may be hard on your marriage for a while, insha’Allah your parents will accept the marriage once their anger has subsided. What would be truly tragic, is if you married another, still thinking about the one you really wanted to marry -and lived an unhappy life. It would be unfair to the girl as well whom your parents have chosen for you.

So please brother, do make istakharra, ensure this is the girl whom is right for you and if so marry her. Your parents will get over their anger insha’Allah in time. There is no sense in losing a pious life partner over cultural norms and power struggles between families.

Salam


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http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-parenting/young-hearts-minds/daughter-wants-marry-will/

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About Aisha Mohammad
Aisha received her PhD in psychology in 2000 and an MS in public health in 2009. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years for Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. Aisha specializes in trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marriage/relationships issues, as well as community-cultural dynamics. She is certified in Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and is also a certified Life Coach. Aisha works at a Family Resource Center, and has a part-time practice in which she integrates healing and spirituality using a holistic approach. Aisha plans to open a holistic care counseling center for Muslims and others in the New York area in the future, in sha' Allah. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocate for social & food justice. In her spare time she enjoys her family, martial arts classes, Islamic studies as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.