Can I Marry Young as a Convert?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I live in Australia and am trying to get married. I am 17, and he will be 18 soon. He can not provide a living for me, but my brother has agreed to allow us to marry, regardless. We intend to marry early because we are enrolled in the same program, and we need to be alone together. I don’t want to do something impermissible.

We want to move in together As soon as possible to save enough money to buy his mother a house and buy our own, with the help of Allah Most High. If we marry, will our marriage be halal? I am a revert, while my family is not Muslim except for my brother.

Answer

Thank you for your question. It is permissible (halal) for you to marry this man with your Muslim brother’s permission. Your financial situation sounds complicated, so I pray you can be patient until things get better. You should pray istikhara no matter what to ask Allah if this man is good for you or if this is the right timing. You should take a free course on marriage on SeekersGuidance before you take on such a big responsibility. May Allah rewards you for wanting to protect yourself and your religion. Please see the following links for more information:
Keys to Successful Muslim Marriages: Practical lessons that explain the Prophetic Spirit of Marriage
Love, Marriage, and Relationships in Islam: All Your Questions Answered
What Are the Minimum Steps That Must Be Taken for a Marriage to Be Valid?

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.