FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
AL-KAFI #1153: MAKSUD SEKUFU DALAM PERKAHWINAN
What does kafa'ah (compatibility) mean in marriage?
Short answer
Kafa'ah means equivalence in standing between a man and a woman in terms of religion and piety, occupation, and absence of defects that would permit annulment.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Kafa'ah means equivalence in standing between a man and a woman in terms of religion and piety, occupation, and absence of defects that would permit annulment. It is the right of the wife and her guardians and, according to this ruling, is not a condition for a valid marriage, but it is needed to prevent harm and secure the continuity of the marriage. The bride and her guardian may waive it, and a marriage to a non-equivalent man with her consent is valid. The conclusion stresses the compatibility and piety of the couple themselves rather than family background alone.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Walaupun kufu bukannya syarat sah nikah,[2] tetapi ia perlu untuk mengelakkan perkara yang buruk terhadap isteri dan para walinya dan menjamin kelangsungan hidup suami isteri.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #1153: MAKSUD SEKUFU DALAM PERKAHWINAN”, 16 March 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/3201-al-kafi-1153-maksud-sekufu-dalam-perkahwinan. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/meaning-of-kafaah-in-marriage/