Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

So what is your opinion on proforma marriages? That it is ok as long as the person has the right faith? And in some cases you do know the intention of the person, when they actually brag about their intentions for instance. I find it appalling that a person who praises islam can condone criminal activities. There is a reason many get caught in proforma marriages by the government etc. I dont believe in entering a marriage because you want money, passports etc. Thats not marriage but a business deal. Maybe you should seperate your opinions from what Allah actually preaches. Its unclear but I am sure Allah does not promote something sacred as matrimony in order to obtain materialistic goods. 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Proforma Marriage

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

We must be able to comprehend the difference between one thing being legal in the sight of Shariah, and one being ethical or right or just or fair! The believers have not been given the power to go into the hearts of mankind and see what are their real intentions when they do a deed; that Power is vested in the Supreme Lord Alone, Who will Judge each act of each individual by their intentions on an Inevitable Day. The believers can only look at the available witnesses and decide whether it is legal or not in accordance with the Shariah.

If a believing man marries a woman fulfilling all the Shariah legal requirements, with Mehr, two witnesses, proposal by the man and acceptance by the woman, etc.; that marriage will be deemed legal and binding in the sight of Shariah and the believers, as will the children that may result from the marriage.

But if the man or the woman has ulterior motives in performing the marriage, be it his/her money, or a visa, or a passport, or anything else for that matter; that intention of their hearts can only be known for sure by that person and their All Knowing Creator! If someone has married someone for ulterior motives and disrespected this sacred and noble institution of matrimony, then he/she will have to give a severe accounting in the Presence of their Just and All Mighty Lord on an Inevitable Day!

Therefore, the clear guidance of Allah to the believers is to fear Allah whatever they do, and be aware that He has full knowledge of everything that everyone does, and fear the Accounting in His Just Court on an Inevitable Day! If one fears Allah, and is conscious of His Creator and His Attributes, it is expected that he would never dare abuse any of His given blessings.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 1: O mankind! Fear your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person; (and) created of like nature, his mate; and from them twain, scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Fear Allah through Whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan