Is it permissible to break off an engagement to a woman who turned out to be unsuitable after the family's insistence and his agreement to it, given the suitor's feeling of inability to bear responsibility and his family's disapproval?
"Retracting an engagement is not forbidden, but it is disliked if there is no valid reason. However, there is no dislike if there is a valid reason, as Ibn Qudamah stated, because it is 'a lifelong contract in which harm persists.' Therefore, there is no sin upon the questioner for breaking off the engagement for the reasons mentioned; in fact, it may be more appropriate due to his conviction that the woman is not suitable for him and the strong objection of his family, especially since Islamic law encourages marrying virgins."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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