Caste

124994

Why it is obligatory to pay a portion of Khums compulsorily to Syed families only and not to others? Does this differentiation not encourage a caste system in the religion of Islam?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 11 months ago

Islam does not allow the needy Sayeds to receive Zakat from people, and instead of that, kept for needy pious Sayeds a share in Khums. It is a matter of keeping the respect of the family of the Prophet (SAWA) with out any differentiation or discrimination. Non Sayed needy persons are allowed to receive Zakat while needy Sayeds are not allowed to receive Zakat. Justice requires providing a source away from Zakat to help needy Sayeds which is in fact Sahm e Sadat.

Wassalam.

116761

Parents . Marriage . Caste . Love . Marriage Proposal

A boy sent a proposal to my parents asking for my hand in marriage but my parents are making caste an issue because we are both from different castes. My father also has a problem with love marriage. What should I do?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 1 year ago

Bismihi ta'ala

As Muslims, we do not believe in caste, and we rather condemn such an attitude. Our criterion for evaluating someone is piety, as the Quran says. It is unfortunate that some parents still carry such a mentality, and hopefully one day we will all be able to implement our religion in the best way possible.

That being said, you must take into consideration compatibility and overall mindset of who it is you are marrying. There must be a good level of compatibility for you and your future spouse to have a successful marriage. It would be best for an elder or a local scholar to somehow discuss this topic with your parents, if you see this suitor to be appropriate for you to marry.

Do not allow this to escalate, or turn into major problems, and try to deal with it in a calm and wise way.

As for "love marriage", this is an unfamiliar term in Islam. For us, it is either marriage, or not. Love is one thing, and legitimacy of a relationship between two non-mahram people is another.

With prayers for your success.

75707

Islam . Caste . Marriage . Qur'an

Is there any rule in Islam on marrying somebody out of caste? Is there anything in the Quran to say you have to marry within your own caste?

Seyed Ali Shobayri, Seyed Ali Shobayri is of mixed Iranian and Scottish descent who found the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a) by his own research. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University through the... Answered 2 years ago

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

We don’t have any caste system in Islam. People’s characters and merits are determined by their piety.

Some people are unfortunately inflicted by Hindu ideas and try to introduce this into our community by saying things such as a Sayeda or alawiyah woman, can only marry a Sayed. We also have those who refuse to let their daughters marry people from the opposite race: sometimes a person is of the same race yet it still isn’t enough as they are not from their city or village!

None of this is from Islam.

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is the one who has At-Taqwa(piety)” (49:13)

May Allah grant you success

50012

Islam . Caste

Are castes haram in Islam?

Mohammad Saeed Bahmanpour, Sheikh Mohammad Saeed Bahmanpour is lecturer of Islamic Studies at the Islamic College for Advanced Studies, London, and a visiting lecturer at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Oriental... Answered 3 years ago

There are no castes in Islam. Q: 49:13 says:

O mankind! Indeed We created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes that you may identify yourselves with one another. Indeed the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most God wary among you. Indeed Allah is all-knowing, all-aware.