A questioner who is twenty years old has received several marriage proposals, but her father insisted on marrying off her older sister, saying that it is not

The questioner : The questioner says: This is a girl who mentions that she is twenty years old. Several men have proposed to her, and she says: But my father, may Allah guide him, insisted on marrying off my older sister. He says, "It is not our custom to marry the younger sister before the older one." Please guide us, perhaps he will listen to this program. May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : It is not permissible for the father, nor for anyone other than the father, to prevent the one whom Allah has given guardianship over her from accepting a proposal from a man who is suitable in his religion and character, on the grounds that he does not marry the younger sister before the older one. Indeed, this excuse will not benefit him before Allah, Mighty and Majestic, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: and due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): It is well known that if the father, or any guardian below him in rank, prevents his daughter from marrying a man who proposed to her and who is suitable in his religion and character, on the grounds that their custom is that the younger sister does not marry before the older one, it is well known that this excuse will not benefit him before Allah, Mighty and Majestic. Therefore, it is obligatory for him to fear Allah and to marry off the one who proposed to his daughter, provided he is suitable in his religion and character, whether she is the younger or the older sister. Perhaps marrying the younger sister will open the door to marrying the older one. This is what I wish to direct to the father and any guardian below him in rank. So let them fear Allah regarding themselves and regarding those over whom Allah has given them guardianship. As for the one who was prevented from marrying a man suitable to her in religion and character, she should be patient and seek reward from Allah. If she has the opportunity to have a guardian other than her father marry her off, even if it reaches the judge, without sin or fitnah, let her do so, so that this bad custom which these tribes or the people of this town have become accustomed to is broken.

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims through you.