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Fatwa CenterReceived a marriage proposal from a smoker who has not completed his education
Question
Salam alekom A man has proposed to me to get married, he smokes and has not completed his education, and I completed my education and I dont smoke, my family said to me not to marry him cause of these reasons, but is this fare to judge person for the lack of education, the main problem is that we live in UK and it is very difficult to find good muslim husband and western life has a huge effect on marriages between muslims, we dont want to do haram things, but our choices are limited! I need advice please from a religious point of view. Thank you, wa salam aleekom. jazakom Allah alf keer.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
Undoubtedly, the first thing that a woman should consider when a man proposes to marry her is his religion and good moral conduct; if these qualities are met, then this is what is required.
As regards the smoker whom you mentioned in the question who proposed to marry you, then, despite smoking, if he observes his religious obligations and refrains from major sins, it is permissible to accept him as a husband, especially if it is known and expected from him to become righteous and accept advice. Not continuing his education should not be a hindrance for accepting him as a husband since there is no relationship between education and being religious and having a good moral conduct, which are the main criteria in marriage. Moreover, some people may complete their education after marriage; this is a noticeable fact in real life. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 88350.
Therefore, we advise you to try to convince your family to marry you off to this man if he fulfills his religious obligations and refrains from major sins. First of all, you should seek Allaah's Help and then you may also seek the help of pious and righteous people to convince your parents to accept. If they are convinced, all perfect praise be to Allaah, but if they are not convinced and did not give a sound Islamic reason for their refusal, and no other better and suitable man proposes to marry you, and you fear to be tempted (to committing illegal sexual intercourse), then you may take the matter to an Islamic center so that they would decide what is better for you.
You should know that there are many religious people who have a good moral conduct where you reside, all perfect praise be to Allaah, and the matter is not as you described. Many amongst these pious people look for a pious wife, and it is expected that the Islamic centres in the country where you reside will help the brothers and sisters who look for marriage to find their suitable partners.
To conclude, it should be mentioned that as long as the marriage contract is not conducted between the man and the woman, then she is a marriageable woman to him, and it is not permissible for her to be in seclusion with him, or allow him to commit other prohibitions with her, otherwise this could lead to destructive consequences.
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