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Fatwa CenterMarried without his parents' approval
Question
If a Muslim man marries a woman who was Roman Catholic and divorced with children, then on meeting this man she finds out about Islam and accepts it then they get married and the man did not request permission from his parents, is this marriage acceptable.
The man was younger than the woman also and an only son and parents lived in another country, so he told them after the marriage but they were very upset and still are even though the couple have children of their own and are following Allash's Book. Because the parents are still upset with him and he has tried to talk with them to accept his wife and children but they refuse and don't want to meet. He has invited them to come and stay with him, but they still don't accept, how can he sort this out, as no one wants people to be divided. The woman even said to the husband to finish the marriage if it means that his parents will be happy but he does not want to do this as he cares for his wife and children and also he cares for his parents.
What can be done to put this right? Has he done something terrible and unforgivable, and also will the woman get punished. Please can you answer this question as soon as possible?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
If the conditions of marriage (getting married with the consent of the guardian and in the presence of witnesses) are met, then the marriage is valid. As regards the guardian of a new Muslimah if she does not have a Muslim guardian, read the following Fatwa: 83373 and 83338.
A man's marriage without the consent of his parents is valid as their disapproval does not have any affect on the validity of the marriage. However, it was better for this man to consult his parents regarding his marriage lest he would hurt their feelings and avoid causing harm to them. Since the marriage is now completed and the woman is religious and of noble character, the marriage is legally valid. So, if there is no legal reason for divorce, then he has to keep her as a wife and should try his best to please his parents using all the possible and lawful means and being kind to them.
Know that the age difference has nothing to do in marriage as the Prophet 
married Khadeejah 
while she was much older than he.
Allaah knows best.
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