Should I Mention My Financial Struggles to a Potential Spouse?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Should I disclose my financial struggles and career uncertainties to a potential spouse during marriage discussions, or is it permissible to keep them private?

Answer

Yes, you must tell your potential spouse about this for transparency and honesty. Generally, nothing good comes of hiding information.

Marriage and Money

One should not necessarily avoid marriage due to a low income because of the following words of Allah Most High:

“Marry off the singles among you, as well as the righteous of your bondmen and bondwomen. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.” [Quran, 24:32]

And these types of people are guaranteed help from their Lord: Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “There are three for whom it is a right upon Allah to help him. One who strives (mujahid) in the path of Allah Most High, a slave who has a contact of manumission and intends to repay his money, and one getting married who intends chastity.” [Tirmidhi]

Husband or Wife

If you are male, it is potentially sinful for you not to tell a prospective bride about your finances, as part of her reason for marrying you would be for your ability to provide. If you are a female, you must still tell the prospective suitor because he will need to understand what financial obligations or debts you will be trying to pay, and he must consider that information before agreeing to marry you, although your debts would remain your debts, not his.

Please see these links as well:
What Questions Should I Ask Someone I Intend to Marry?
Should I Marry a Poor Suitor with Mental Health Issues?
The Woman I Love Doesn’t Want to Marry Me Because of My Low Income.

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.