Is The Father Obligated To Marry Off His Child?

Is the father obligated to marry off his child?

Islamic scholars agree that subsistence of boys are on their fathers until they are able to work and earn their own sustenance; however, they adopt different opinions on whether a father has to marry his child or not. While Hanafi and Shafiʽi scholars say that it is not wajib for a father to marry his child, Hanbali scholars say that ‘his father has to marry a child if the child’s subsistence is on his father (Mawardi, al-Hawi, IX, 183-184; Ibn Qudamah, al-Mughni, XI, 380).

Although this is the case when we look at this issue in terms of its being wajib or not in religious terms, undoubtedly, it will be a good act for a wealthy father to marry his child who has no opportunity to marry through his own means. In this respect, it is said in a hadith narrated from Prophet Muhammad (saw), “A child has three rights on his father: Having a beautiful name, being taught how to read and write, and getting married when its time comes” (Suyuti, al-Camiu’s-sagir, II, 538). Moreover, the Almighty Allah states in the Holy Qur’an, “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones” (Tahrim, 66/6). As it is stated in the aforementioned verse, it is fathers’ responsibility to protect their sons who needs to get married from committing a sin by helping them getting married.

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA