What should a girl do when a young man of good character and religious commitment proposes to her, but he cannot live in a house separate from his family because he takes care of his father and siblings, while her father stipulates living in a separate house?

An independent dwelling is a right of the wife, so if she waives it, her guardian has no right to demand it. The independent dwelling means that the wife has a room with its annexes, such as a corridor, kitchen, and bathroom.

Al-Shirbini states in Mughni al-Muhtaj: "If a house contains separate rooms with individual facilities, it is permissible to house co-wives in it without their consent, and the upper and lower floors, if their facilities are distinct, are considered two dwellings."

Therefore, we advise the parents not to reject a suitor if the wife is satisfied. If hardship or harm occurs later, she has the right to demand what removes the harm and alleviates the hardship.