What does it mean?

　　Compatibility amounts to equality and similarity. In a Hadeeth (Prophetic narration), the Prophet, , said: "Muslims are equal in their inviolability of life." [Abu Daawood]

　　Compatibility in marriage means equality and closeness between the spouses in terms of religiosity and morality, as well as social and financial aspects. Compatibility between the spouses certainly contributes to the success of their marriage, whereas lack of compatibility causes a sort of aversion and leads to separation and discord.

　　Compatibility includes:

　　Compatibility in religion: It is considered the foundation of a marriage, and it even constitutes a condition for its validity, according to the unanimous agreement of scholars. Therefore, it is not permissible for a woman to marry a non-Muslim by consensus. A guardian should not give a righteous woman, who is in his charge, in marriage to a Muslim, yet corrupt man. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Wicked women (are) for wicked men, and wicked men (are) for wicked women; and good women (are) for good men, and good men (are) for good women.} [Quran 24:26]

　　Though this condition is not a requisite for the validity of the marriage contract, it is very important to consider it. Sometimes the guardian of the woman gives her in marriage to a wicked man and prefers him to a religious man because the wicked man is wealthy or has a high position. The wicked man may work in unlawful jobs, turning away from obedience to Allah The Almighty and neglecting His Orders. Such guardians will be held accountable before Allah The Almighty for destroying their daughters.

　　It was narrated on the authority of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, , said: "Allah will ask every caretaker about everything that was entrusted to him, whether he preserved it or wasted it, and He will ask the man about his family." [Ibn Hibbaan]

　　In Bidaayatul-Mujtahid wa Niyaayatul-Muqtasid, Ibn Rushd, may Allah Have mercy upon him, said, "The Maaliki School of Fiqh states that when the father gives his virgin daughter in marriage to a man who consumes intoxicants (liquor) or a wicked man in general, the daughter has the right to prevent him from establishing conjugal relations with her. In such instances, the judge should investigate the case and separate them. The same ruling applies to the woman whose father gave her in marriage to a man whose money is ill-gotten or who frequently swears by divorce."

　　Compatibility in family background: the majority of scholars take this type of compatibility into consideration, with the exception of Imaam Maalik .

　　Compatibility in wealth: Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.}[Quran 4:34] This is considered by both the Hanafi and Hanbali scholars as well as in one opinion of the Shaafi‘i scholars.

　　Compatibility in freedom: Both the Hanafi and Hanbali scholars considered compatibility in freedom, with the exception of Imaam Maalik .

　　Compatibility in work and profession: This is considered by the Hanafi, Shaafi‘i and Hanbali scholars.

　　Freedom from defects (intolerable defects): This is considered by the Maaliki and Shaafi‘i scholars as well as Ibn ‘Aqeel from the Hanbali scholars.

　　However, there is a question in this regard: Is compatibility a condition for the validity of marriage? Scholars hold two opinions in this matter.

　　First: Compatibility is not a condition for the validity of marriage. This is the preponderant opinion, which represents the opinion of the majority of scholars, including Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Ash-Shaafi‘i and Ahmad in one of his two opinions. This was also reported on the authority of ‘Umar and Ibn Mas‘ood, may Allah be pleased with them.

　　The following is evidence that supports this:

　　· The Prophet, , gave Faatimah bint Qays, may Allah be pleased with her, (who was from the Quraysh) to Usaamah ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, (who was an ex-slave). When Faatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, came to consult the Prophet, about her proposals of marriage from Mu‘aawiyah and Abu Jahm, the Prophet, , said: “As for Mu’aawiyah he is a poor man and has no property, while Abu Jahm does not put down his cane from his shoulder (i.e. frequently beats his wives). So, marry Usaamah.” [Muslim]

　　· Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Abu Hind cupped the Prophet in the middle of his head. The Prophet said: 'O Banu Bayaadhah, marry Abu Hind (to your daughters), and ask him to marry (his daughters) to you. '" Abu Hind was an ex-slave of the Banu Bayaadhah, not from them, and was working as a cupper. Cupping was considered the most menial profession at that time.

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