Insufficient income to get married

Question:-

I intend getting married but I am not financially stable. I currently earn R3000.00 which will not suffice in meeting my expenses if I get married. Because of this, my parents are asking me as to how will I support my family. How can I increase my sustenance? Is there any special Amal that I can carry out? What other advice can you offer?

Answer:-

The responsibility of providing sustenance is solely and purely upon Allah Ta’ala. This is proven from various verses of the Quraan Sharif. Allah Ta’ala states,

We do not ask sustenance from you, We will sustain you. [Surah Taa-Haa; verse 132]

 

Without doubt, Allah is the sustainer, the possessor of absolute power, Strong. [Surah 51, Verse 58] 

The responsibility of sustaining every creature on earth rests with Allah.   [Surah 11, Verse 6] 

These are just some of the verses of the Quraan Sharif that indicate that Allah alone is our sustainer.

We advise that you carry out the following;

1. Obey every command of Allah Ta’ala. By obeying the commands of Allah Ta’ala one is blessed with abundance of sustenance, whilst the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala deprives one of sustenance.

2. Recite the following verse after every Fardh Salaah 5 times,

اللَّهُ لَطِيفٌ بِعِبَادِهِ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَاء وَهُوَ الْقَوِيُّ العَزِيزُ

Allah is compassionate towards His bondsmen (servants.) He sustains whoever He wills, and He is The Powerful, The Mighty.

 

3. Excessive Istighfaar. Allah Ta’ala promises to sustain (the one that engages in excessive Istighfaar) from places that he cannot imagine.

 

4. You should make Dua to Allah Ta’ala daily to open the doors of sustenance for you.

5. Together with the above, you should seek a suitable occupation whereby you may earn the sustenance that Allah Ta’ala has decreed for you.

Your current income of R3000.00 will not suffice in running a home at this stage in South Africa, particularly if you will be renting a home. It also seems that your parents are apprehensive, as they too are enquiring as to how you will make ends meet. We therefore suggest that you pursue your intention of Nikah only after having secured a suitable and stable income. Financial problems play a major role in the break-up of marriages with the wife’s party passing comments such as, “Why did he get married when he was not in the position of providing for his wife.” I’m sure that you are aware that it is the husband’s duty to provide suitable accommodation, food, clothing, monthly expenditure, etc. for the wife. It will not be correct to get married and then oppress the spouse by not fulfilling one’s duties towards her.

You should exercise patience until Allah Ta’ala opens the way. At the same time the Quraan Sharif advices,

وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّى يُغْنِيَهُمْ اللَّهُ مِن فَضْلِهِ

Those that are unable to marry (despite their desire and efforts) should preserve their chastity until Allah Ta’ala grants them both independence through His grace (and then they are able to get married.).

 

May Allah Ta’ala open the way for you in the best of ways and provide you with abundance of Halaal wealth filled with Barakah. Ameen!

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 28 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1434 / 03 December 2021