Q: Can a Muslim woman marry a Muslim man of another caste or ethnicity/nationality where there are differences in cultures and thoughts.
A: Yes, it is permissible for them to get married. However, it is extremely important for a woman to consult with her parents before entering into nikaah. If she does not consult with her parents and independently marries a person who is of her kufu (i.e. he is an equal match to her), then the nikaah will take place.
However, if she independently marries a person who is not of her kufu (i.e. he is not an equal match to her but lower than her), then the nikaah will not be valid.
Kufu (being an equal match to her) will be considered in the following aspects:
1. Piety
2. Social standing
3. Affluence
Piety – equality in piety means that the boy is equal to the girl in piety. If the boy is equal to the girl in piety, he will be considered an equal match to her. However, if the boy does not follow Shari’ah and gets involved in shameless and sinful deeds, then he will not be considered an equal match to a pious, chaste and religious woman.
Social standing – equality in social standing is based on one’s profession and occupation. Hence, if the boy’s profession and the girl's family's profession is regarded of the same level, then the boy will be considered an equal match to the girl. On the contrary, if the boy’s profession is not as high and noble as the girl’s family’s profession, then he will not be considered an equal match to her. Therefore, if the girl comes from a family of jewellers and the boy is a street sweeper or a menial labourer, he will not be considered an equal match to her.
Affluence – equality in affluence means that the boy's financial position and status is equal to the girl's financial position and status. If the boy's financial status is equal to the girl, he will be considered an equal match to her. On the contrary, if the boy is a pauper, he cannot be an equal match for a girl who is wealthy. However, if the boy is able to pay the mahr and he can afford to provide the girl with the monthly nafaqah (monthly maintenance), then he will be considered an equal match to her, even though he is not as wealthy as her.
Note: The above ruling applies to the case where the boy and girl are both non-Arabs and both their parents and grandparents are born Muslims (i.e. they are not converts).
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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