Fatwa ID: 06675
Answered by: Alimah Zakiratul Hoque
Question:
Assalamualaikum, I’m in love with a Dawoodi Bohra girl. Dawoodi Bohra is Musta’ti Ismaili Shias and firmly believes in their high priest (Dai ul Mutlaq). They never go against his commands or teachings. Every child upon reaching puberty takes an oath to follow dai’s teachings, this is done in a ceremony called Misaaq. They also believe their Dai can perform karamat(کرامات) and don’t hesitate to turn to dai for their needs. They believe Dai can hear them even if not present among them. One common practice among them is to keep Dai’s picture in their wallet for Barkat. She wants to practice her firqa and does not wish to change her beliefs about Dai’s supernatural abilities. I don’t believe in firqas but I believe only Allah can fulfil our wishes and the only karamat that can be performed by any human is through Dua. No man himself possesses any godly quality. In light of these differences do you think our marriage is permissible and also if it is suitable?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Muslim men cannot marry non-muslim women unless they are from the Ahle Kitaab (people of the book) (Badai Al Sanai, Vol 3, Pg 440). (1)
Books regarding their beliefs suggest that Dawoodi Bohras hold beliefs against Islam. For example, Dawoodi Bohras say Imaan includes accepting the Imam of the time and obeying his commands without question (Da’aim Al Islam, Pg 5). They also believe that “salvation is reserved solely for those who declared their belief in the Imams.” (Da’aim Al Islam, Pg 54). Similarly, the belief that Dais can hear and accept people’s prayers or fulfil their needs, as you highlighted, is against Islam.
As their beliefs are against Islaam, Dawoodi Bohras cannot be considered Muslims. Therefore, it will not be permissible to marry them.
(1)
و منها أن لا يكون المرأة مشركة إذا كان الرجل مسلما ، فلا يجوز للمسلم أن ينكح المشركة ؛ لقوله تعالي : ))وَلَا تَنكِحُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ(( و يجوز أن ينكح الكتابية ؛ لقوله عز و جل )) وَٱلْمُحْصَنَـٰتُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ(( و الفرق أن الأصل أن لا يجوز للمسلم )أن ينكح( الكافرة
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Zakiratul Hoque
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
