A Research-Based, Scholarly, and Social Analysis of the Principle of Kafāʾah (Social Equality) in Marriage Between Ahl al-Bayt and Non-Ahl al-Bayt

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16842953

الملخص

This study examines the principle of kafāʾah (social equivalence) in marriage between Ahl al-Bayt and non-Ahl al-Bayt, highlighting its legal, social, and cultural dimensions. Islam unequivocally rejects caste-based superiority, recognizing taqwā—piety and righteous conduct—as the sole measure of distinction. Nevertheless, it emphasizes marital stability, often supported by compatibility in socio-cultural and economic backgrounds.

In Islamic jurisprudence, especially within the Ḥanafī and Shāfiʿī traditions, kafāʾah serves to ensure harmony and prevent marital discord. For Sādāt, their honored connection to the Prophet ﷺ and esteemed status within the Muslim community often lead to a preference for intra-community marriage, aimed at preserving lineage and cultural cohesion. While such preferences are rooted in tradition and social sentiment, they are not legally mandated, and Islamic law validates inter-lineage marriages when there is compatibility in faith, morals, and rights.

Historical precedents from the Prophetic era, such as the marriage of Ḥazrat Zaynab bint Jaḥsh (RA) to Zayd ibn Ḥārithah (RA), affirm that lineage is not an absolute determinant in Islamic matrimonial rulings. The study concludes that while intra-community marriages among Sādāt may serve sociocultural interests, they must be distinguished from binding religious requirements.