Benefits of Having Arranged Marriages
Arranged marriages, when conducted in accordance with Islamic principles, can provide several advantages. These include:
1) Reduced temptation to engage in haram.
In an arranged marriage, individuals are less likely to engage in haram activities, such as zina (unlawful sexual relations), as they are not meeting potential partners in secret.
2) Benefiting from parents’ experience.
Similar to any profession or life endeavor, experience imparts valuable knowledge. It is highly encouraged to benefit from the experiences of those we admire and who genuinely have our best interests at heart. Choosing a spouse is one of the most significant decisions we make, and making such a decision independently may not be the wisest course of action.
3) Less emotional decision-making.
Arranged marriages tend to be less emotionally charged than “love marriages.” This is because they are based on factors such as religious compatibility, financial stability, reputation, good character, and shared cultural norms rather than on fleeting emotions such as infatuation. If emotions cloud our judgment to overlook these matters, we will likely feel regretful after the emotional “honeymoon phase” ends.
4) Safeguarding women against deception.
How many men would dare to deceive a girl into believing that he intends to marry her, only to engage in a temporary physical relationship? The knowledge that he would have to confront her father and siblings and jeopardize his own family’s reputation if his intentions were exposed serves as a significant deterrent. While he might be able to get away with this deception once, his tarnished reputation would dissuade other families from considering him as a potential prospect for their daughters. Therefore, arranged marriages significantly limit the spread of such deceit and protect numerous innocent women by increasing the public accountability of prospective grooms. In an arranged marriage, the woman’s family is involved in the selection process, ensuring that the prospective groom is a serious and committed suitor. Overall, this ensures clarity of intentions and discourages manipulative behavior.
5) Enhanced familial support for the marriage’s success.
When both families consent to and bless the marriage, it is reasonable to expect that they would be more inclined to provide support in case any issues arise, including financial assistance, conflict resolution, and help with childcare. In contrast, “love marriages” often lack the same level of involvement from families, and some family members might withhold support out of resentment. Thus, when both families are involved in the decision to marry, they are more likely to offer enduring support for the marriage, which proves invaluable during challenging times.
6) More thorough vetting.
Arranged marriages allow for a more thorough vetting of potential partners than is possible in love marriages. This is because parents and other family members can use their networks to gather information about the potential partner’s religious beliefs, reputation, and lifestyle.
Recommended Reading
Naema N Tahir, “Understanding Arranged Marriage: An Unbiased Analysis of a Traditional Marital Institution,” International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Volume 35, Issue 1, 2021. Online Source: https://academic.oup.com/lawfam/article/35/1/ebab005/6344842