Is it the parents’ duty to find a suitable spouse for their children?

Q. Is it the parents’ duty to find a suitable spouse for their children?

A. Parents have a duty and responsibility in helping and assisting their adult children to find suitable spouses in marriage.

Sayyiduna Abu Sa’eed and Ibn Abbas Radhiyallaahu Anhuma reports that Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “Whoever has a child, he should give him a good name and educate him. When he matures, he should marry him off. If he matures and the father does not marry him off, then if the boy commits a sin, the sin will be on the father.” (Shu’bul-Imaan 11/137)

Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik Radhiyallaahu Anhu reports that Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: It is written in the Tawrah;“Whoever’s daughter reaches the age of twelve years and he does not marry her off, then if the girl commits a sin, the sin will be on the father.” (Shu’bul Imaan 11/139)

Once the parents identify a suitable spouse for their adult child in marriage, the choice is left up to the adult child to finally decide on marriage.

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com