A man wants to marry, but his father is wealthy and has refused to help him until he graduates. Is it permissible for him to ask charitable organizations or scholars for money to be used as a mahr?

The questioner : He says: "My esteemed Shaykh, my father is wealthy, and I want to get married. My father said, 'I will not help you with a single riyal until you graduate from the university.' I am in my first year. Is it permissible for me to go to a charitable organization or take money from scholars and those who provide assistance to be used as a mahr for my marriage?"

The Shaykh : It is obligatory for the father to marry off his children. Whoever asks to be married must be married off if the father is able to do so, because marriage is one of the most important requirements of life. If it is obligatory for the father to provide for his children with food, drink, clothing, and shelter, then it is also obligatory for him to provide for their marriage. If he does not do so, he is sinful and disobedient to Allah. If he delays, even by one minute, then withholding from a wealthy person is injustice, and it is not permissible for him to say to his son, 'When you graduate from the university.' He is currently in his first year; how much time is left for him? Four years. He wants to have four children after four years. This is a mistake on the part of the father. If the son is able to take some of his father's money to get married with, he has the right to do so.