Ruling on Refraining from Marriage to Relatives Due to Fear of Hereditary Diseases
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Question:
A letter reached the program from one of the listening brothers. He says: Your brother in Islam is an Egyptian residing in Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyadh. Our brother began his letter by saying: I read in one of the magazines an article about diabetes and the extent of its impact on marriage between relatives. It became clear from what I read that if the wife and husband, and their parents, are afflicted with diabetes, the rate of infection among the children becomes higher. However, if only one of the parents of the husband or the wife is afflicted with diabetes, the likelihood of infection decreases.
I have already contracted my marriage to my cousin’s daughter about a year ago, and the wedding is imminent. But after reading this article a few days ago, I have been in a state of confusion regarding my situation; because my father and my uncle, who is my wife’s father, are afflicted with diabetes, though to varying degrees. This disease is hereditary in their family, and they are being treated for it.
Your Eminence, I ask you to kindly inform me: Will completing the marriage be harmful for me?
I also ask, if there is harm, to inform me whether I should annul this marriage for the reasons stated, or hold on to my wife, knowing that I am holding on to her because the qualities and morals she possesses make her a righteous wife, and knowing that my wife’s family does not know about this matter yet?
Please inform us, may Allah reward you, and let the response be clear and explicit. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
My advice to you, O brother, my advice to you is to complete your marriage, and to rely upon Allah the Exalted, and to leave these whispers. Be glad of much good, and you will see from her—if Allah wills—what will please you, and you will see nothing but good.
As for the details of diabetes and what happens to the children, this is a matter that requires consideration. It may be known through many experiments, or it may be known by specialized doctors who have experimented extensively. Therefore, you should not pay attention to this. Rather, seek help from Allah, complete your marriage, be glad of good, and leave these whispers and these things that people say. Ask your Lord for well-being for you and for her, and you will see nothing but good—if Allah wills.
A letter reached the program from one of the listening brothers. He says: Your brother in Islam is an Egyptian residing in Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyadh. Our brother began his letter by saying: I read in one of the magazines an article about diabetes and the extent of its impact on marriage between relatives. It became clear from what I read that if the wife and husband, and their parents, are afflicted with diabetes, the rate of infection among the children becomes higher. However, if only one of the parents of the husband or the wife is afflicted with diabetes, the likelihood of infection decreases.
I have already contracted my marriage to my cousin’s daughter about a year ago, and the wedding is imminent. But after reading this article a few days ago, I have been in a state of confusion regarding my situation; because my father and my uncle, who is my wife’s father, are afflicted with diabetes, though to varying degrees. This disease is hereditary in their family, and they are being treated for it.
Your Eminence, I ask you to kindly inform me: Will completing the marriage be harmful for me?
I also ask, if there is harm, to inform me whether I should annul this marriage for the reasons stated, or hold on to my wife, knowing that I am holding on to her because the qualities and morals she possesses make her a righteous wife, and knowing that my wife’s family does not know about this matter yet?
Please inform us, may Allah reward you, and let the response be clear and explicit. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
My advice to you, O brother, my advice to you is to complete your marriage, and to rely upon Allah the Exalted, and to leave these whispers. Be glad of much good, and you will see from her—if Allah wills—what will please you, and you will see nothing but good.
As for the details of diabetes and what happens to the children, this is a matter that requires consideration. It may be known through many experiments, or it may be known by specialized doctors who have experimented extensively. Therefore, you should not pay attention to this. Rather, seek help from Allah, complete your marriage, be glad of good, and leave these whispers and these things that people say. Ask your Lord for well-being for you and for her, and you will see nothing but good—if Allah wills.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.