Abstract:
The concept of Kafa’ah (compatibility or equivalence) in Islamic marriage is critical to ensuring social harmony and marital stability. Rooted in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), Kafa’ah primarily refers to the suitability between a prospective bride and groom in aspects such as religion, lineage, financial status, profession, freedom (as opposed to slavery), and personal conduct. While the Qur’an and Sunnah emphasize piety and good character as primary criteria for choosing a spouse, classical jurists, particularly in the Hanafī School, extended the notion of compatibility to safeguard familial honor and social cohesion. This paper examines Kafa’ah through the lens of Sharīah principles, highlighting the prophetic guidance that precedes religious commitment over worldly status. Furthermore, it analyzes the diverse positions of the four Sunni schools of thought (Hanafī, Malikī, Shafi’ī, Hanbalī) regarding the application and legal implications of Kafa’ah. Notably, most scholars view Kafa’ah as a right of the woman’s guardian (walī) rather than a direct condition for the validity of marriage. Therefore, while a marriage between unequal partners may be legally valid, it may still be subject to annulment upon the objection of the guardian if Kafa’ah is absent. In conclusion, the concept of Kafa’ah is a flexible legal tool, not a rigid requirement, and must be applied with consideration of the objectives of Sharīah (Maqāsid al-Sharīah) justice, family stability, and social well-being rather than purely cultural or tribal preferences.
Keywords: Kafa’ah (Kufw), Compatibility in Marriage, Sharīah Law, Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Walī (Guardian), Islamic Family Law, Maqāsid al-Sharīah (Objectives of Sharīah), Nikāh
