Advice to affluent woman courted by poor man

Question

I am seeking advice on behalf of a young woman from our family who has been approached for marriage by a man who I see as being religious, well-mannered, sensible, and hard-working. On the other hand, his financial circumstances are not very good. He is young – 22 years old. She, on the other hand, comes from an affluent family and is now in the final year of her university studies and wishes to complete her degree. He has no objection to her doing so. However, she is afraid to accept his proposal on account of his financial circumstances. What is your advice?

Answer

Allah says: “And marry such of you as are solitary and the pious of your slaves and maid-servants. If they be poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty. Allah is of ample means, Aware.” [Sûrah al-Nûr: 32] 

Marriage is a reason for a person to acquire self-sufficiency. This is because it makes a person sense his responsibility and motivates him to work and to be industrious and frugal. 

Most importantly, Allah’s providence comes to a person according to his needs. For every weakness on a person’s part there is generosity and kindness on part of our Provider. 

Therefore, if the man is as you describe him, I would advise her to accept his proposal and complete her university degree. This is only if she herself is pleased with his character, his reputation, and his religion. 

If, however, she feels that she might not be able to respect him or that she might look down upon him on account of the disparity in their economic status, then I advise her not to marry him. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women and such a role cannot be effectively carried out by the man when his wife looks upon him with disdain.

-islamtoday.net