Equality and Kafa’ah in Marriage

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The problem of inequality in terms of level of knowledge, wealth, etc, between a man and a women who get married could lead to disputes and the couple may even end up in divorce as a result of it.

Here we discuss the view of the Quran on this issue.

Kafa’ah is among the very important requirements in marriage and a major factor in the strength and firmness of the family.

Kafa’ah is a term used in the field of Islamic jurisprudence with regard to marriage in Islam, which in Arabic, literally means, equality or equivalence. It is thus defined as the compatibility or equivalence between a prospective husband and his prospective wife which should be adhered to. This compatibility is dependent on multiple factors that include religion, social status, age, morality, piety, wealth, lineage or custom.

Experience shows that in addition to spiritual and moral fields, there should be Kafa’ah between a husband and wife in terms of wealth as well.

In the Holy Quran, numerous reasons have been mentioned for the necessity of Kafa’ah between a husband and wife. Here is one of them:

“Do not marry pagan women unless they believe in God. A believing slave girl is better than an idolater, even though the idolaters may attract you. Do not marry pagan men unless they believe in God. A believing slave is better than an idolater, even though the idolater may attract you. The pagans invite you to the fire, but God invites you to Paradise and forgiveness through His will. God shows His evidence to people so that they may take heed.” (Verse 221 of Surah Al-Baqarah)

Shia and Sunni scholars believe that based on this verse, marrying a Muslim man with a pagan woman and marrying a Muslim woman with a pagan man are not allowed.

So a believer, whether a man or a woman, should marry a believer. Even if someone has financial problems and cannot marry a believer, he or she is not allowed to marry an unbeliever because it would undermine his or her faith and spiritual life in this world and predicaments in the hereafter. Also, differences in beliefs would lead to tension and violence in family.

Therefore, one should pay a lot of attention to choosing a spouse so that there is Kafa’ah and compatibility in terms of beliefs, actions and behaviors.  

This should be taken into consideration by the man and the woman as well as their parents and relatives who play a role in choosing a spouse for them.