Helping Someone Seeking Marriage Partner

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 6 Jamad-ul-Awwal 1424, 6 July 2003


Q.) My sister and my husband's brother like each other [for all the good reasons including deen] and both of them wish to marry. Is this marriage approved in Islam? Can I act as their go-between [or for the matter, any such relationship], supporting this cause and helping them share their feelings and also keeping them away from all haram activities before the marriage? Is this custom, i.e, finding a partner to marry, understanding themselves well before marriage etc in tandem with Islamic teachings? Please give a well-detailed answer on this issue and please publish it on the website. [A Muslim sister]

A.) It is permissible and in fact an act of virtue to assist a person, male and female, to find a marriage partner on condition that there is no violation of any law of Shari'ah in doing so. If there is any violation of Shari'ah, then it will not be permissible.

In your situation, acting as a go-between between your sister and brother-in-law, you cannot communicate with your brother-in-law as he is your Ghayr Mahram (Not Unmarriageable). You have to observe Hijab from him. Instead, he should communicate with your husband. Both the parties should be advised to make Istikhaara before making a decision.

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best