What does it mean?

　　Islam did not stipulate freedom as a condition for the validity of marriage, as evident from the following instances of marriage:

　　· Abu Huthayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, gave his niece Hind bint Al-Waleed ibn ‘Utbah ibn Rabee‘ah, may Allah be pleased with her, in marriage to his ex-slave Saalim, may Allah be pleased with him

　　· The Prophet, , said: "Such-and-such family is not my ally; my allies are the pious Muslims wherever they are." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

　　· It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, , said: “A virgin should not be given in marriage except after taking her permission; and a previously married woman should not be given in marriage except after consulting her ." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] In another narration, the Prophet, , said: “A previously married woman should not be given in marriage except after consulting her; and a virgin should not be given in marriage except after taking her permission." People asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how is the permission of the virgin taken?" The Prophet said: "Her permission is her silence.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

　　To summarize:

　　Compatibility in religion is the only condition that must be met in marriage; other aspects are not conditions. Nevertheless, the guardians of the woman have the right to choose a husband who is suitable for or equal to her, and with whom she could live a harmonious life. They should choose the husband with whom the stability and harmony of the family can be achieved, and the causes of discord, harm and disturbance are removed. However, if the woman accepted the husband who is not suitable for her in terms of family background, profession, wealth or the like, her marriage is without doubt valid.

　　Lessons and notes:

　　· Compatibility applies to the man, not the woman. There is no harm at all if a man marries a woman who is not equivalent to him because the man has the right to be in charge of his wife, the children are attributed to him and the right to divorce is given to him. The Prophet, , married women from the Arab tribes, who were not equivalent to him in religion or lineage, and he had bondswomen. He also said: "Whoever has a slave-girl whom he teaches well and treats kindly, then, he freed and marries her, he will have a double reward." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

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