Choosing to marry, or to further one’s Islamic education
QUESTION:-
Is it preferable for a female ‘Taalib-Ilm’ (student) to leave Madrassah and get married, as she is of marriageable age, or, should she remain in Madrassah to further her Deeni studies?
ANSWER:-
Anas Radiallahu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim male (and according to one narration), upon every Muslim female.” [Re:- Mishkaat Page.24]
The commentary of Mishkaat Sharif titled, ‘Mazaahir-e-Haq’, states that seeking knowledge is Fardh. It is recorded in ‘Ta’leequs Sabeeh’, which is also a commentary of Mishkaat Sharif: “The term ‘Knowledge’ refers to that knowledge which is necessary for one to acquire. For example, when a person becomes a Muslim, then it is obligatory (upon him) to recognize Allah Ta’ala and His attributes, and to know His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. If these aspects are not in order, then the Imaan of a person will not be in order.”
When it is the time of Salaah, then one needs to have the necessary knowledge pertaining to Salaah. When the month of Ramadaan dawns upon a person, he needs to have the necessary knowledge of fasting. If one owns the Nisaab, he is required to have the necessary knowledge of Zakaat. When one is ready for marriage, one is required to have the necessary knowledge of Haidh, Nifaas, Talaaq, and the necessary laws pertaining to the husband and wife. If one commences business, one is required to know the Masaa’il of buying and selling. Similarly, one is required to have the necessary knowledge of all those matters which one experiences and encounters in life. If one doesn’t acquire the relevant knowledge, one will be sinful. (Mazaahir-e-Haq Pg.96 /97 Vol.1)
وقال البيضاوي المراد من العلم ما لا مندوحة للعبد عن تعلمه كمعرفة الصانع او لعلم بواحدانية ونبوة رسوله وكيفية الصلوة فان تعلمه فرض عين ص151 ج1
It is proven from this Hadith that it is Fardh upon every Muslim male and female to acquire that amount of knowledge by which one’s fundamental beliefs are corrected, and by which one can fulfill all his acts of Ibaadaat correctly (such as Salaah, fasting, Zakaat and Hajj), and by which one’s social life, business transactions, and character is corrected.
In conclusion, acquiring the necessary knowledge of Deen is not only obligatory upon males, but upon females as well, and, in fact, great importance has been attached to this. If women acquire the necessary knowledge of Deen, their minds will be beautified with the knowledge of Deen, and they will be able to live their lives in accordance to Shariah. They will also be able to nurture and mould their children in accordance to Shariah from childhood.
It is clear as daylight that without knowledge, one cannot make Amal correctly. To make Amal correctly is Waajib and Fardh, hence, acquiring the knowledge of Deen is also Fardh. This is proven logically, as well as in the narration quoted above.
If in some homes, one’s father, brother or husband is an Alim, then asking them certain questions is sometimes difficult. Therefore, women need to be educated, and educating them in Deeni matters is also obligatory. [Islaahi Inqilaab Pg.194 / Bahishti Zewar Pg.99 Vol.1]
From the above discussion, the importance of educating girls has been established. It is therefore necessary to afford importance to their Deeni education and arrange for them to acquire it. However, proper arrangements should be made for their education in such a manner that their respect, honour and chastity is not compromised in any way whatsoever. [Re:- Fataawa Rahimiyyah Pg.160 – 162 Vol.3]
They should return home by the evening, and furthermore, they should be dropped off and picked up by a Mahram if they are required to go to the home of a female Apa (to be educated in the locality). By doing so, there is hope that they will be protected from all forms of Fitna.
Now, if a female has already acquired the necessary knowledge of Deen which will enable her to act upon the injunctions of Deen and live a life in accordance to Shariah, then she should get married as soon as she receives a good proposal. She should not delay in doing so simply because she intends furthering her Islamic studies.
It is recorded in a narration of Musnad Ahmad, “Do not delay in three things; Performance of Salaah when the time of Salaah has entered; when the Janaazah is present; when a suitable match is found for an unmarried girl.”
ان رسول الله – صلى الله عليه وسلم – قال: “ثلاثة يا علي لا تؤخرهنّ، الصلاة إذا آنت، والجنازة إذا حضرت، والأيم إذا وجدت كفؤا”. (مسند احمد)
A narration of Ibn Majah states, “O Guardians! If such a boy comes to you with a proposal and with whose character and Deen you are pleased, then get your daughters married to him, for if you do not do so, then Fitnah and corruption will spread on the earth.”
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِذَا أَتَاكُمْ مَنْ تَرْضَوْنَ خُلُقَهُ وَدِينَهُ فَزَوِّجُوهُ، إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوا تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ عَرِيضٌ» (ابن ماجة)
In conclusion, a female is required to acquire the necessary knowledge of Deen. Once this has been achieved, she should not delay in getting married. In fact, when a suitable match is found, she should settle down as soon as possible. To delay the marriage simply because she wants to further her Islamic education is against the teachings of the Ahaadith, which we have quoted above, and is a means of corruption becoming widespread on the earth. Alhamdulillah, there are many Ulama in our country, Darul Ulooms, Darul Iftas, Islamic literature, authentic Kitaabs translated into English by reliable scholars, etc. hence, our queries can be directed to any of these sources, if there is a need. Delaying marriage for a female on the basis of furthering her studies is, therefore, unacceptable, particularly when she has acquired the necessary knowledge of Deen.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date:- 10 Dhul Qa’dah 1444 / 31 May 2023