Regard for the Parents’ Choice in Nikah

Question

A man is adult and educated, regular in fasting and prayer, and is in employment. But his father, under who knows what pressure, wants to marry him to the daughter of his (the father’s) brother-in-law. Although this young man is sane and adult, he expresses displeasure with this girl, and other people too are unhappy with this match; yet the young man’s parents are bent on forcing the nikah through pressure and say: “Do not disobey us.” They also speak of disowning him.

Answer

Parents have a natural love for their son; by nature they wish him well and marry him where they consider best, so one should not think ill of them without reason. It is possible, however, that the son wishes for some other place and sees good in his own choice, while the parents see good in theirs. The son’s good fortune lies in choosing his parents’ preference.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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