Regarding a 25-Year-Old Seeking Marriage Without Family Consent
Arafat Sakib Via Email
Question: I am a 25-year-old university student. I like a girl of the same age, and she likes me back as well. We live in adjacent houses. Because I am currently unemployed, I am unable to express my desire to marry. However, both of us are interested in having a secret marriage. We want to marry in secret and inform our families later, Inshallah, once my unemployment issue is resolved. What is the Shariah-compliant way and the state/legal system for a secret marriage?
Answer: Secret marriages are forbidden in Islam. The mindset of keeping a marriage hidden has been prohibited in the Hadith. According to one narration, a secret marriage is akin to an immoral relationship. Therefore, a minimum level of publicity is essential so that Shariah rulings can be upheld regarding matters such as death, divorce, marital discord, the paternal identity of children, inheritance rights, etc., which are impossible in a secret marriage. To ensure your situation does not turn into a prohibited secret marriage, it is necessary to have sufficient witnesses, public notice, mutual understanding, and government registration. The only aspect here is not informing the guardians. If possible, it would be best to make them understand, gain their consent, and have this marriage take place.
Answered by: Allama Mufti Obaidur Rahman Khan Nadwi
Source: Jameul Fatawa, Islamic Fiqh and Fatwa Encyclopedia.
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