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What is the Shari'ah law concerning marriage with a Sunni girl?

Answer:

According to Islam, marriage is the basic institution which aims at establishing the family, the primary unit of society. It is desirable and recommended by itself but if a person is in need of marriage and is afraid that he may fall into haram, then marriage becomes obligatory on him.

The following points are necessary to be mentioned concerning your question:

According to Islamic Shari'ah, forbidden marriages are restricted to the following:

1. Maharem[i], 2. Married woman, 3. Wife's sister, 4. A woman who is in her Iddah (waiting period), 5. Sister of a man who has committed sodomy, 6. A woman who is not from the People of the Book, 7. In the state of Ihram of Hajj, 8. Permanent marriage with a fifth woman.

Hence, if one is not afraid that his faith may be weakened or he is not likely to be led astray, there would be no problem in the marriage of a Shia with a Sunni especially when there is the possibility that the other party may be led to the school of Ahlulbayt (a.s.).

2. Shia believes that in order for a person's personality to be assessed and known, it is necessary that his conducts be properly examined. Although being a companion of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, is a matter of great pride, it does not imply that we should ignore his mistakes or that we should consider him as inerrant and infallible. Following the demise of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), a situation came into being as a result of which the Commander of Faithful, Ali (a.s.) who had been appointed by the Prophet (pbuh) as his successor was deprived of his right to the caliphate. Thus, during the period of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, he was made to keep aloof in his house. Indeed, for the good of Islam and Muslims, Ali (a.s.), despite being dissatisfied with the performance of the caliphate, never refrained from giving his advice to the caliphs.

3. Since kindness to parents is considered to be next to monotheism, if possible, try to get your mother's consent for marriage with the girl you want. This would be better for you. If your mother does not give her consent and while you are faced with a problem and you are likely to fall into a sin, there would be no problem in your marriage with the girl provided that you should follow all the rules and act within the framework of the Islamic Shari'ah.

[i] - In Islamic legal terminology, a mahram (Arabic محرم, also transliterated mahrim or maharem) is an unmarriageable kin with whom sexual intercourse would be considered incestuous, a punishable taboo.

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