It is our custom that girls are not married to men from outside the family, and this has led to an increase in spinsterhood. We ask for advice regarding this?

Question:
She says: It is our custom and tradition that girls do not marry men from outside the family. So, a girl in our community remains until she becomes a spinster if her cousin, her maternal cousin, or a relative does not propose to her. Please, Honorable Shaykh, kindly offer advice on this matter. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
This is a matter that is not permissible to persist in, and it is a form of restriction. Restricting a girl from marriage to anyone other than her relatives, or her cousins, is wrong. In fact, it is obligatory to marry her to a suitable match who is good for her and whom she desires, even if he is not one of her relatives. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The important thing is to marry the girl when she reaches maturity and has the need for a husband. As for preventing her from marrying so that no one from her relatives proposes to her, this is the forbidden *'udl* (preventing marriage) that is prohibited by the Shari'ah. Because it causes the poor girl to miss the prime of her life and her youth, it causes her to miss suitable suitors, and it exposes her to remaining without a husband. In the end, she may end up marrying someone who is not suitable for her. It is not permissible to restrict a girl to her cousins or relatives, as they may not be suitable for her, and she may not be suitable for them. The criterion is the one who has the suitability for her and the good for her, even if he is not one of her cousins. Yes.