Would Prophet Muhammad Allow Abu Bakr to Marry Fatima

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Question:

What would Prophet Muhammad have done if Abu Bakr asked to marry his daughter Fatima? - A speculative question about whether Prophet Muhammad would have responded differently if Abu Bakr had sought Fatima’s hand in marriage. :::

Answer:

As per Islam we are not allowed to indulge in hypothetical discussions.

The Dislike of answering Hypothetical Questions

Whenever asked about a matter, Zayd b. Thâbit – Allah be pleased with him – would himself ask, “Has this happened?” If they told him that the matter had not yet occurred he would not inform them of an answer, but if they told him it had happened he would answer them.

Al-Âjurrî, Akhlâq Al-‘Ulamâ` no.81; Al-Khatîb, Al-Faqîh wa Al-Mutafaqqih Vol2. P13.

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Leave me with what I have left to you, for those who were before you were destroyed because of excessive questioning, and their opposition to their Prophets. So when I command you to do anything, do it as much as it lies in your power and when I forbid you to do anything, then abandon it.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7288) and Saheeh Muslim (2388, 4355) and the wordings are from Saheeh Muslim]

Narrated Sahl ibn Sa`d رضي الله عنه said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم disliked being asked (hypothetical) questions and disapproved it. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4745, 5308, 5259, 7304) and Saheeh Muslim (1492)]

Narrated al-Mugheerah رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Allaah تعالى disliked that you…ask too many questions (in religion)…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1477, 2408, 5975, 6473) and Saheeh Muslim (593)]

Aamir bin Sad reported on the authority of his father that Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The greatest sinner amongst the Muslims is the one who asked about a thing (from Allaah’s Apostle) which had not been forbidden for the Muslims and it was forbidden for them because of his persistently asking about it.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (7289) and Saheeh Muslim (5821, 5822)]

Amr bin Murrah said that Umar (Ibn al-Khattaab) رضي الله عنه said to the people: “I forbid you from asking questions about the things which did not take place, for we should busy ourselves with what already took place.”

On the authority of Nafithat IbnUmar رضي الله عنهما said: “Do not ask about that which did not take place, for verily I heard `Umar cursing the one who asked about the thing which did not happen.”

On the authority of Khaarijah bin Zaid that whenever someone asked Zaid bin Thaabit رضي الله عنه a question he would ask: “Did it already happen?” if the answer was in negative, he would say: “Leave it till it actually takes place.”

On the authority of al-Zuhree رحمه الله that it reached him that whenever someone asked Zaid bin Thaabit رضي الله عنه a question he would ask: “Did it already happen?” he if the answer was ‘yes’, he would narrated according to the knowledge he had. But if the answer was ‘no’, he would say: “Leave it till it actually takes place.”

On the authority of Masrooq that he asked a question from Ubai bin Ka`b رضي الله عنه . Ubai replied: “Did it take place?” I said: ‘No.” He said: “Leave us till it actually takes place. So when it does happen we would give our verdict to you.”

Source:[al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih of al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (2/11-14)]

The Dislike of answering Hypothetical Questions - Sayings of the Salaf