💍 Khitbah & engagement · #114
My family rejected my suitor because he is of a different race. What is Islam's view?
In Islam, race is not a measure of suitability; what comes first is religion and character. Kafa'ah, or compatibility, is taken into account, but it concerns things such as religion, character and means, not skin colour or ethnic descent. Even so, a family's concern is sometimes really about differences in custom, language or where you will live. Start by listening to those concerns first. Then let your suitor get to know your family gradually, respecting their customs. If the wali keeps refusing without a Shariah reason, the state Islamic religious office can explain the options available. See Kafa'ah.