What is the ruling on a girl's guardian who prevents her from marrying until she completes her university studies in three years?
Preventing a girl from marrying until she completes her university studies, despite her desire and need for marriage and the availability of a suitable husband, is considered a form of adhl (unjust prevention), which is forbidden by Islamic law. This is based on the Almighty's saying: "So do not prevent them from marrying their [former] husbands if they agree among themselves on an acceptable basis" (Quran 2:232). Therefore, if a girl needs to marry and a suitable suitor proposes, her guardians are not permitted to prevent her on the pretext of completing her studies. However, if the girl herself is not desirous of marriage until she completes her studies, and there is no fear of losing a suitable suitor, then there is no objection to delaying the marriage. Nonetheless, prioritizing marriage over completing studies is closer to the objectives of Islamic law.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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