Is It Impermissible to Marry a Daughter of an Alcohol Trader? (Shafi’i)

Answered by Shaykh Jamir Meah

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I expressed my interest to marry a girl but my father was concerned about the fact that she is the daughter of an alcohol trader. Is it impermissible to marry her or even to think about marrying her?

Answer: Assalam alaykum. I pray this finds you in the best of states.

It is not impermissible to think about marrying the daughter of such a person, nor is the daughter herself impermissible to marry. The disobedience of a parent does not negate the piety of the child, and the child should not be judged just because of the parent’s behaviour, especially if she is against her father’s work

Nevertheless, consideration should still be taken when considering marriage, as the parents will become your in-laws, and your future children’s grandparents, and from this angle, your father’s concern is valid.

Considerations when marrying

Marriage is potentially more than just two individuals getting together, it is two families forming kinship, and it is the beginning of a new family coming into being. The most important aspect to the success of marriages and family life is piety.

The Prophet ﷺ said, A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, for her lineage, for her beauty or for her piety. Select the pious.’ [Al Bukhari, Muslim].

One should look for a spouse that is pious and has good character, and ideally from a good and religious family. For these reasons, I would suggest you work with your parents in making the right decision.

May Allah grant you every good.

Warmest salams,
[Shaykh] Jamir Meah

Shaykh Jamir Meah grew up in Hampstead, London. In 2007, he traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he spent nine years studying the Islamic sciences on a one-to-one basis under the foremost scholars of the Ribaat, Tarim, with a main specialization and focus on Shafi’i fiqh. In early 2016, he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continues advanced studies in a range of Islamic sciences, as well as teaching. Jamir is a qualified homeopath.