• This article explores the potential wisdoms behind the permissibility of cousin marriages in Islam.
• It also examines the hypocrisies of other faith groups who criticise Muslims for engaging in this practice.
I have a world exclusive for you: Cousin marriages have been practiced for millennia. In England, Queen Victoria (member of the Church of England), Albert Einstein (a Jew), even Charles Darwin (an agnostic) all entered into consanguineous marriages. Christian kings and rulers also married their cousins. For an example, Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies married Maria Carolina in 1768.
Today, A quick trip around the Internet unveils a disturbing trend of vitriol aimed at Muslims, particularly for the allowance of cousin marriages in Islam, with pejorative labels such as “inbreds” being hurled.
To frame this discussion, it is essential to confront the glaring hypocrisy underlying such so called slurs. As is often the case, similar customs within other faith communities are conveniently disregarded. However, to forestall accusations of “whataboutism,” this article will first examine the underlying wisdom and potential reasons why Islam permits consanguineous marriages.
The Muslim mind is being colonised
In contemporary times, just as polygyny is increasingly frowned upon by a growing chorus of Muslims (due to modernity clouding their judgment), if I maybe candid with you, there is an extraordinary cavalcade of incompetence in understanding our Islamic lineage amongst certain diaspora communities. This in turn, has led to a sense of shame and embarrassment among some Muslims when questioned by non-Muslims about the practice of cousin marriages within the community. Furthermore, those Muslims may even make some silly sneers in front of their non-Muslim counterparts such as, “Oh we don’t do all that cousin marriage malarkey, that’s just a particular culture that does that!”
Allow me to elucidate: The greatest man whoever walked this Earth, prophet Mohammed (saw) married his cousin Zainab bint Jahsh. Furthermore, Zaynab Bint Mohammed (saw): The First daughter of Rasool Allah (saw) and Khadijah (RA) married her maternal cousin.
According to various studies, as of 2016, 40% of marriages in Egypt were between cousins. Fredrik Barth’s research on tribal societies in Northern Iraq found that 57% of marriages were consanguineous, while a 2009 study in Reproductive Health reported 63.7% in Jordan. Additionally, 30% of Muslims in Lebanon, 46.2% in Afghanistan, and over 60% in Pakistan (2014) practice cousin marriages.
Benefits of Cousin Marriages and Potential Wisdom Behind Their Permissibility in Islam
In a 2013 study focusing on Pakistanis residing in Bradford, UK, divorce rates were exceptionally low, at 0.8% among those in consanguineous marriages. Similarly, a 2015 study published in the Egyptian Journal of Medical Genetics found that consanguinity plays a protective role against divorce and contributes to increased marriage stability.
Cousin marriages have the potential to strengthen family relations
The customs and practices of the new bride and groom are often aligned, which facilitates a smoother adjustment in their marital relationship. For instance, if a mother-in-law is also the bride’s maternal aunt, this familial connection can further strengthen family bonds.
Your cousin is a non-mahram, not your brother
For Muslim women, the protective instincts of her mahram are unparalleled; your cousin will not exhibit the same level of gayrah (protective jealousy) or readiness to go to war for you as your own brother, for instance. Of course, it’s true that Muslim men should have gayrah for all sisters in our ummah. However, Allah swt has created the role of a mahram for a reason.
While a male cousin may also care for you and share a familial bond, it will never quite match the depth of connection and commitment that exists between siblings who share the same parent/(s) or come from the same womb.
In Islam, family relationships are regarded with authenticity and clarity. For example, Zayd Ibn Harithah, the adopted son of Prophet Mohammed (saw), was deeply cherished by him, yet their relationship was always understood as one of adoption.
Furthermore, in the West, when a man refers to his girlfriend as “wifey” merely to please her, this is insincere and deceptive.
Genetic Risks and Potential Defects in Children from Cousin Marriages
According to Prof. Alan Bittles of Murdoch University (Perth, Australia), the highest rates of consanguinity occur among the rural poor, who tend to have poorer health in general. The medical risks of consanguinity have been exaggerated because people attributed causal relationships to them based on anecdotal evidence (correlation not proving causation).
Genetic studies have shown that cousin marriages are not significantly more harmful than general marriages. While the incidence of birth defects in general marriages is 3-4%, this rate only increases slightly to 4-7% in cousin marriages. Geneticists argue that this modest rise does not justify a blanket condemnation or prohibition of cousin marriages. The New York Times states:
“Contrary to widely held beliefs and longstanding taboos in America, first cousins can safely have children together, without a great risk of birth defects or genetic disease, scientists are reporting today. They say there is no biological reason to discourage cousins from marrying…. First cousins are somewhat more likely than unrelated parents to have a child with a serious birth defect, but scientists say the risk is not large. In the general population, the risk that a child will be born with a major birth defect, like spina fida, is 3 to 4 percent; to that background risk, first cousins must add another 1.7 to 2.8 percentage points, the researchers said…. Although the increase represents almost a doubling of the risk, since the background risk is small to begin with, the result is still not considered large enough to discourage people from having children, geneticists say. And they point out that no one questions the right of other people with far higher levels of risk to have children. For example, people with Huntington’s disease, a severe neurological disorder, have a 50 percent chance of passing the disease to their children….. Dr. Motulsky said the American laws against cousin marriage should be abolished, because they are based in part on the mistaken belief that the children of such parents will suffer from terrible physical and mental illnesses…”They are ancient laws in terms of thinking it’s really bad,” he said. “The data show it isn’t that bad. There shouldn’t be a law that you can’t marry your cousin.’
The evidence indicates that the primary genetic risk arises when cousin marriages are practiced repeatedly.
It’s an option not a Fard: Forced marriages are not from Islam
Cousin marriages are an option and not a necessity. For an example, if one takes a liking to someone from outside their culture and race, marriage in this context is perfectly permissible. Similarly, a Muslim man can marry a person of the book.
It must also be mentioned, pressuring children to marry their cousins is fundamentally contrary to Islamic principles. In Islam, marriage must be consensual to be valid; coercion or mere familial appeasement does not constitute a legitimate union. Forced marriages are antithetical to Islamic teachings and cannot be justified within its ethical framework.
One might ask, “Why does Allah permit cousin marriages despite potential genetic risks?” Islam allows certain practices but does not advocate for their excessive application. For instance, eating halal-certified fried chicken and chips is permissible. However, consuming this meal daily would be detrimental to your health.
Furthermore, although cousin marriages are statistically associated with lower divorce rates and various socio-economic benefits, neglecting the sanctity of marriage can severely impact family dynamics.
Cousin Marriage in Judaism
The Talmud, offers the following advice regarding cousins marriages:
It is taught: Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Rav: One who marries the daughter of his sister it is as if he performs a mitzvah (good deed), as it is stated: 'Do not ignore your flesh' (Isaiah 58:7). (Bava Batra 110a)
In his book The Myth of the Jewish Race, Raphael Patai highlights a significant study conducted between 1955–57: Ashkenazi Jews revealed the highest rates of first-cousin marriages among Jews from Iraq (28.7%) and Iran (26.3%). A subsequent 1969–70 study found that 56% of marriages among Habbani Jews in Israel were between first cousins. Similarly, the Samaritans displayed high rates, with 43% of marriages occurring between first cousins and 33.3% between other cousins.
Consanguinity in the bible
If Christians have an issue with Muslims marrying their cousins, they ought to read the following verse in their bible:
Genesis 20:12 (NIV):
“Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife."
This biblical passage that shows Sarah is the half-sister of Abraham. In this verse, Abraham explains to King Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, but they share the same father, though not the same mother. Marriage to one’s half sister is not allowed under Islamic law.
Exodus 6:20:
“Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses."
Although such marriages were later prohibited under Mosaic Law (detailed in Leviticus 18:12-14) cousin marriages were not prohibited. For instance, Jacob married his cousins Leah and Rachel.
According to the 2006 study Genetic Disorders in the Arab World, consanguinity reaches up to 35% amongst Christians in Iraq, with cousin marriages forming a significant portion.
Interesting to note, 20 states in America have legally permitted cousin marriages, including: California, Alaska. hawai. New York, New Mexico, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, South Calorina, Tennessee, Alabama.
Cousin marriages in Hinduism
Krishna and Mitravind
‘Lord Krishna’ married Mitravinda, who was his father’s sister’s daughter. This marriage is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana (Skanda 10, Chapter 58) and other texts like the Harivamsa and the Vishnu Purana.
Arjuna and Subhadra
Arjuna married Subhadra, who was his mother’s brother’s daughter (Krishna’s sister). This marriage is described in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva, Chapter 220). Subhadra was Arjuna’s cousin on his maternal side.
Bheema and Hidimba’s Son Marrying His Cousin
In the Mahabharata, Ghatotkacha, the son of Bheema and Hidimba, married Ahilawati, who is sometimes described as his cousin in local folklore, though this is not directly stated in the canonical texts.
According to a 2009 study the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have the highest rates of consanguineous marriages in India. Tamil Nadu are 47%. Tamil Nadu has an 87.58% of the population identifies as Hindu. Similarly, according to the 2011 Census of India reported that 84% of the state’s population adhered to Hinduism.
Online personalities such as Alex Jones continue to hurl unjust offensive remarks towards Muslims but may need to take a long hard look in the mirror!
You may want to have a sick bucket at hand if you haven’t already been exposed to this video:
Can we walk away from that territory at speed please?
I’d like to leave you with this: The degeneracy of Western society, the blizzard of online pornography, children consuming puberty blockers, grown women identifying as a cat, feminism, red pill, materialism and the pandemic of loneliness, depression and suicide are issues that must be focused on as opposed to why someone may choose to marry their cousin and live a fulfilled life. As the West continues to superimpose their Liberal agenda onto others, Muslims must always remember that Islam is and will always provide a superior way of life that is timeless and caters to society as a whole. Moreover, it offers a wide range of options within its framework, tailored to individual needs, thereby fostering a harmonious and well-functioning society.
