Marriage to Distant Relatives Rather Than Close Relatives
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Question:
What is your opinion regarding one who prefers to marry distant relatives over close relatives?
Answer:
That is not correct. The correct approach is to choose the best, whether close or distant. Close relatives are better because they are relatives to whom one does good and with whom one maintains family ties. Most of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were from among his close relatives. In fact, the majority of all his wives were from his kin, including Aisha, Umm Salama, and Hafsa bint Umar, among others. All of them were from his kin, except for Safiyya bint Huyayy, who was not from his kin. Otherwise, the majority were relatives. Yes.
The presenter : And what is your opinion, Your Eminence, regarding the statements of doctors on this matter?
The Shaykh : Some doctors and some jurists say that a non-relative is more fertile, but that is not correct. Rather, it varies. A close relative may be more fertile, or a distant relative may be more fertile. This is up to Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). However, if one marries from a family known for their religion, known for their intelligence, known for their sound minds, and known for their noble morals, then that is better and closer to having children like them, whether they are close relatives or not. As for the claim that a non-relative’s child is good and a close relative’s child is not, this is not correct. How many non-relatives does Allah have who are not good, and how many close relatives does He have who are good.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. So, are these statements rejected, Your Eminence?
The Shaykh: Yes, yes. Rather, one should choose the best, whether from close relatives or not. And if there is someone among the close relatives who is worthy, they are more deserving, because of the maintenance of family ties and doing good to them. This is all good, as mentioned earlier, that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had most of his wives from among his close relatives. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
What is your opinion regarding one who prefers to marry distant relatives over close relatives?
Answer:
That is not correct. The correct approach is to choose the best, whether close or distant. Close relatives are better because they are relatives to whom one does good and with whom one maintains family ties. Most of the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were from among his close relatives. In fact, the majority of all his wives were from his kin, including Aisha, Umm Salama, and Hafsa bint Umar, among others. All of them were from his kin, except for Safiyya bint Huyayy, who was not from his kin. Otherwise, the majority were relatives. Yes.
The presenter : And what is your opinion, Your Eminence, regarding the statements of doctors on this matter?
The Shaykh : Some doctors and some jurists say that a non-relative is more fertile, but that is not correct. Rather, it varies. A close relative may be more fertile, or a distant relative may be more fertile. This is up to Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). However, if one marries from a family known for their religion, known for their intelligence, known for their sound minds, and known for their noble morals, then that is better and closer to having children like them, whether they are close relatives or not. As for the claim that a non-relative’s child is good and a close relative’s child is not, this is not correct. How many non-relatives does Allah have who are not good, and how many close relatives does He have who are good.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good. So, are these statements rejected, Your Eminence?
The Shaykh: Yes, yes. Rather, one should choose the best, whether from close relatives or not. And if there is someone among the close relatives who is worthy, they are more deserving, because of the maintenance of family ties and doing good to them. This is all good, as mentioned earlier, that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had most of his wives from among his close relatives. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.