Is it permissible to break off an engagement due to the discovery of physical defects in the fiancée that affect speech and femininity, given that she is ideal in all other qualities, and the family does not approve of breaking off the engagement?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible to break off an engagement, even without a reason, but it is disliked to break it off without a reason. There should be no haste in breaking it off, because it is rare for all good qualities to be found in one woman. If the physical defect mentioned is tolerable, then it is better to complete the marriage. Otherwise, breaking off the engagement is easier than completing the marriage and then having a divorce occur.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/177432
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 177432
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy