A WOMAN HAS THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE A MAN SHE LIKES

 

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

It must be noted that, just as a man has the right to chose whomever he wishes to marry, a woman also has the right to elect her choice. One of the scholars, Sheikh Saalih Fawzaan  حفظه الله mentioned in one of his relevant fataawa that:

“A woman can present herself in marriage to a man if she is attracted to him. So she or her guardian can propose to him. So the proposal is not restricted to the groom, rather the woman can also propose herself to the one who is suited to her.” [Tas-hīl al-Ilmām bi-fiqhil-Ahādīth min Bulūghil-Marām | Translator: Abū Khadeejah Abdul-Wahid]

Nowadays, a lot of our women and young ladies feel shy to practice this. The concern of our womenfolk is quite understandable as we have some men who may use the opportunity to take them for granted during the marriage. Also, Al-hayaa' (bashfulness) is part of Islam and our women are expected to imbibe it. So, it is from shyness that many of our women feel reluctant to express their mind towards a man of their choices. Apart from this, it is always better to make a man sweat a bit before getting a woman so that he can know the lady's worth during the marriage. When a man remembers how hard he tried before getting his wife's consent to marry him, he would always respect her.

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

1st October, 2016