Fatwa

Premarital testing

Question

I wanted to find out on something and your response would be highly appreciated
It’s allowed for the couple to get pre marital testing before they get married right and once the tests are done the tests are clearly confidential between the couple
Do the tests need to be given to the parents ? For them to reach a decision for the couple or it’s upto the couple and do the parents have the right ?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It is permissible to get tested for diseases or fertility before marriage provided both parties consent to it. Furthermore, it is of imperative importance that this decision of getting tested is only known to the couple, not even their parents. This is to ensure that medical records are confidential and confined to the couple only. No one else needs to know. Such information cannot be divulged to anyone else without consent of the affected party.

In the event one party does not wish to marry due to the results of the tests, this should not be disclosed as the reason for rejecting the proposal, rather, another reason should be offered to ensure that privacy is maintained regarding an individual’s medical status.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Bilal Pandor

Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel

Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia

www.daruliftaazambia.com