Cousin Marriage in Islamic Law: Difference between revisions

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Prophet [[Muhammad]] himself married cousins, as he did with [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Muhammads Wives and Concubines#Zainab_bint_Jash|Zaynab bint Jahsh]], who was not only the daughter of Umaimah bint Abd al-Muttalib, one of his father's sisters,<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:72; {{Tabari|8|p. 4}}; {{Tabari|39|p. 180}}; cf Guillaume/Ishaq 3; Maududi (1967), Tafhimul Quran, Chapter Al Ahzab</ref> but was also divorced from a marriage with Muhammad's adopted son, Zayd ibn Haritha. It was this last issue that caused the most controversy, with traditional Arab norms at the time being opposed, though not the Qur'an (Sura Al-Ahzab 33:37).<ref>{{Quran|33|37}}</ref>  
Prophet [[Muhammad]] himself married cousins, as he did with [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Muhammads Wives and Concubines#Zainab_bint_Jash|Zaynab bint Jahsh]], who was not only the daughter of Umaimah bint Abd al-Muttalib, one of his father's sisters,<ref>Bewley/Saad 8:72; {{Tabari|8|p. 4}}; {{Tabari|39|p. 180}}; cf Guillaume/Ishaq 3; Maududi (1967), Tafhimul Quran, Chapter Al Ahzab</ref> but was also divorced from a marriage with Muhammad's adopted son, Zayd ibn Haritha. It was this last issue that caused the most controversy, with traditional Arab norms at the time being opposed, though not the Qur'an (Sura Al-Ahzab 33:37).<ref>{{Quran|33|37}}</ref>  


According Tabari, prophet asked Zaynab to marry Zayd she refused as she was of the Quraysh tribe and marrying him(kalb tribe) is improper. So she thought of Prophet Muhammed or any person from higher clan. When Muhammed anounced of the Quranic verse:
According Tabari, prophet asked Zaynab to marry Zayd she refused as she was of the Quraysh tribe and marrying him (kalb tribe) is improper thinking that he is lowest as he was an adopted son. So she thought of Prophet Muhammed or any person from higher clan. When Muhammed anounced of the Quranic verse:


"It is not for a believing man or a
"It is not for a believing man or a
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Zaynab acquiesced and married Zayd. Hadiths record that there were frequent
Zaynab acquiesced and married Zayd. Hadiths record that there were frequent
conflicts between the couple. Zayd complained to Muhammad about Zaynab several times and Muhammad always insisted "Be afraid of Allah and keep your wife."( 27)( 28)
conflicts between the couple. Zayd complained to Muhammad about Zaynab several times and Muhammad always insisted "Be afraid of Allah and keep your wife."[Tabari and Bukhari]
Zaynab once insulted Zayd verbally and
Zaynab once insulted Zayd verbally and
eventually she shut him out of the bedroom. [29] He divorced her in December 626. [[Tabari]] states that Zaynab was only wearing a single slip, and the wind pushed away a curtain when Muhammad entered, revealing her "uncovered." Thereafter Zayd no longer found her attractive and thought of proposing divorce, but Muhammad told him to keep her. Eventually, however, Zayd did divorce her.
eventually she shut him out of the bedroom.[Tabari]
Tabari states that Zaynab was only wearing a single slip, and the wind pushed away a curtain when Muhammad entered, revealing her "uncovered." Thereafter Zayd no longer found her attractive and thought of proposing divorce, but Muhammad told him to keep her. Eventually, however, Zayd did divorce her.


However, this story has been vigorously rejected by most muslim scholars(such as Shibli Nauman, Ibn Al Arbi) mainly because of its lack of having any chain of narration and its complete absence from any authentic hadith. Some commentator (such as Yassir Qadi) have found it absurd that Muhammad would suddenly become aware of Zaynab's beauty one day after having known her all her life; if her beauty had been the reason for Muhammad to marry her, he would have married her himself in the first place rather than arranging her marriage to Zayd. Muhammad proceeded to reject the existing Arabian norms after Quranic verse 33:37 is revealed to him by God. Thereafter the legal status of adoption
However, this story has been vigorously rejected by most muslim scholars(such as Shibli Nauman, Ibn Al Arbi) mainly because of its lack of having any chain of narration and its complete absence from any authentic hadith. Some commentator (such as Yassir Qadi) have found it absurd that Muhammad would suddenly become aware of Zaynab's beauty one day after having known her all her life; if her beauty had been the reason for Muhammad to marry her, he would have married her himself in the first place rather than arranging her marriage to Zayd. Muhammad proceeded to reject the existing Arabian norms after Quranic verse 33:37 is revealed to him by God. Thereafter the legal status of adoption