Asslamu alaykum warahmtullah! My dear Muslim brothers and sisters. This is the very first episode of our weekly #dnopinion report. I would be your host as I have accumulated different responses from Muslim brothers and sisters across all our different media platforms. So let's get started.
Last week, on your favourite #dnopinion we sought your opinion on the age you would suggest marriage to your daughter(s).
Of course, we all know we should be accountable for our wards as we would be held accountable by the Most High on their affairs. But on marriage issues as regards daughters, parents have no exclusive right to force their daughters to anyone against their (daughter’s) wish. We found evidence to this from the hadith of the Prophet narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim that says, “Aisha asked the Prophet if a young girl whose family marries her off should be consulted. He said, ‘Yes, she should be consulted.’ Aisha said, ‘But they are shy.’ He said, ‘If she remains silent, that is her consent.’” Ibn al-Qayyim says, “We adopt this fatwa; a virgin must be consulted [concerning her marriage]...
It is related in al-Bukhari and Muslim that a young virgin girl told the Prophet that her father married her off and she was averse [to the marriage], so the Prophet gave her the option [whether or not to remain married]. So we can deduce that we can only suggest so so and so but we cannot enforce. How then can we leave all of this and go against it?”
Here are some of the responses
AbdulKareem Abdullah AbdulLateef -Any age she attains maturity 12-18
Sulaiman Olayinka Saddiq #DNOpinion At an early age In Shaa Llaah
Abdulmumin Sarki Any age she wishes to get married.
Amusa Sherifdeen Abu Ubayy Early Age in Sha Allaah
Sulaimon Abíólá Agboolá-Àrósò 18 for ladies
23 for guys
Others joined the discussion on our official Nairaland account Aboobilal
Also, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) who said:
It is not permissible for a father to force his son to marry a woman whom he does not like, whether that is because of some fault in her religious commitment or a physical defect... Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 2/240, 241.
Let’s meet again next week Saturday for another edition of the #dnopinion. If you do have any question, kindly send a message to dawahnigeria@gmail.com . We would in sha Allah look into it