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Is it permissible to reject a religious and well-mannered suitor due to a lack of physical attraction, even though this feeling gradually diminishes, and what is the interpretation of seeing the beloved young man in a dream after performing Salatul-Istikharah?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The fundamental criterion for choosing a spouse is religion and character, based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "If someone whose character and religious commitment you approve comes to you, then marry him. If you do not do so, there will be tribulation on earth and widespread corruption." This does not mean that it is impermissible to stipulate other permissible matters, such as physical acceptance. As for Istikhara (prayer for guidance), the prevailing view is that the person should proceed with what they intended, and only abandon it if Allah diverts them from it. A dream has no bearing on the outcome of Istikhara. It is recommended to strive to remove the heart's attachment to this young man by seeking Allah's help and making abundant supplications.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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