Delaying consummation of the marriage after doing the marriage contract

 

 

Delaying consummation of the marriage after doing the marriage contract

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A young man came and proposed marriage to me, but I was surprised to see his family objecting strongly to that, and they caused a great deal of trouble for him. I suggested to him that we do the marriage contract on paper for now, and we will stay apart from one another for some of the time, especially since I want to leave my current job and I have many entitlements that I cannot take unless I am married. Is there anything Islamically wrong with doing the marriage contract in this manner and delaying the consummation of the marriage?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

We ask
Allaah to help you and guide you, and to compensate you with something
better if you leave your job, and to bless you with a righteous husband who
will be a delight to you.  

Secondly: 

If the
marriage contract is done with the consent of both parties and in the
presence of the woman’s wali (guardian) and two witnesses, then it is a
valid marriage, whether the consummation takes place immediately afterwards
or it is delayed for a long time or a short time. 

The
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did the marriage
contract with ‘Aa’ishah when he was in Makkah, and he consummated the
marriage with her three years later. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3894) and
Muslim (1422). 

Thirdly: 

It is better
for him to try and convince his parents of this marriage, because that will
be beneficial for him and for you and your children. He should try not to do
this marriage without the agreement of his family, so that it will not be a
cause of never-ending disputes and arguments or have a bad effect on your
family life. 

Fourthly: 

It should be
noted that it is not permissible for you to form a relationship with this
young man, and that the fiancé is a stranger (non-mahram) to his fiancée
until the marriage contract is done.

And Allaah
knows best.