Is Disclosure of Hearing Impairment and Vitiligo Necessary in Marriage?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I’m 23 with hearing impairment and vitiligo. Should I disclose these to my partner before marriage, according to Hanafi law?

My vitiligo isn’t visible on my face or arms, and my hearing isn’t severe; I hear clearly even when it’s loud. My ex-wife humiliated me for these conditions and then divorced me under her family’s pressure. I felt helpless and divorced her.

Now, I’m uncertain about remarrying and repeating the same mistake.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

You should disclose your impairment and vitiligo. Just as you are searching for a life partner who would empathize, support, and care for you, she would want to know about someone she will want to live with, handle, and support.

It is important to disclose your situation; hiding it would be deceptive. One cannot expect an open and loving relationship if one is not honest. Your honesty toward a prospective will ensure that you find the right person, in sha Allah.

Have Hope

Know that Allah’s promise is true in the Quran: “And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine.

And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things.” [Quran, 65:2-3]

Honesty leads to Paradise

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah(Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “You must be truthful. Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. [Bukhari; Muslim]

Excellence in One’s Dealings

A principle of transactions is maintaining excellence in contracts, and marriage is a lifelong contract. Our religion is based on excellence (ihsan or itqan), guiding believers’ behavior with Allah Most High and creation both privately and publicly.

Make dua, take dignified steps, and trust Allah’s timing. We pray to Allah Most High that he destines for you a righteous, caring, and loving wife who is good (khayr) for you in all matters of this world and the Next life. Amin.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

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Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.