Is it preferable for a Muslim man to marry a woman from outside the family rather than marrying one of his relatives?

Some jurists have recommended marriage to a non-relative for the sake of the child's intelligence and to avoid breaking ties of kinship in case of separation, while others believe that a distant relative is preferable to a non-relative. This issue is a matter of ijtihad (independent reasoning) and varies from person to person and according to kinship ties. There is no religious text that mandates either opinion. The general principle is that marriage is permissible, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, married and gave his daughters in marriage to relatives. In this regard, fulfilling benefits is considered, and if there is a relative who is better than a non-relative in terms of religiosity and character, then he or she is more deserving. Marriage between relatives is not prohibited by Islamic law, and the occurrence of disabilities is not related to it; rather, it is by the decree and predestination of Allah.