Islam permits cousin marriage due to a combination of historical, social, and religious factors.
Reasons for Permitting Cousin Marriage in Islam
Here are the primary reasons why cousin marriage is allowed in Islam:
- Historical Precedent: The practice of marrying within the extended family existed in pre-Islamic Arabian society. Islam did not explicitly forbid it, hence its continuation.
- Preservation of Wealth and Property: As highlighted in the reference, Quranic law stipulates that daughters inherit a share of the family's wealth. Marrying a cousin could ensure that this inheritance remains within the family, avoiding its dispersal to outsiders. This was a strong financial incentive for cousin marriage. The marriage of Ali, Muhammad's cousin, to Fatimah, Muhammad's daughter, further exemplifies this point.
- Maintenance of Social Cohesion: In close-knit communities, marrying within the family can strengthen social bonds and maintain group identity.
- Absence of Explicit Prohibition: The Quran does not forbid marriage between cousins, unlike some other relationships which are deemed mahram (forbidden to marry).
Religious Aspects
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Quranic Guidance | The Quran does not explicitly prohibit cousin marriage. This silence on the issue was interpreted as tacit permission. |
| Financial Implications | As stated in the reference, the inheritance laws of Islam, where daughters receive a portion of the wealth, incentivized cousin marriage to keep inheritance within the extended family. |
| Sunnah | While the Prophet Muhammad himself had familial ties through marriage, this is not cited as a direct endorsement, but rather an acceptance of an existing practice within the social norms of that time. |
Summary
In summary, cousin marriage is permissible in Islam primarily because:
- It was not forbidden in the Quran
- There were social and financial benefits to keeping the wealth and inheritance within the family.
- It has a historical precedent in Arabian culture.
