Question

Al-salāmu `alaykum,

It has become clear that finding good matches in temperaments can be beneficial between potential couples. The traditional science of temperaments seemed to rely on the 4 Temperaments as described in Unani medicine and other middle eastern Hikmat.

Is reliance on this model’s scientific approach to identifying a person’s temperament permissible?

Is there any further wisdom behind it in how best to find worldly comparability between a couple according to their temperament (based on the four temperaments)?

Attached image is a graphic that illustrates this traditional method of studying temperament.

Answer

As we are not experts in traditional sciences and we do not have much knowledge regarding the four temperaments we cannot advise you on the wisdoms behind it and how to use it to find compatibility between couples.

From the brief research we were able to conduct regarding this concept, we can conclude that there does not seem to be anything contradicting and conflict the teachings of Islam. For this reason, if one was to utilise it to determine the personality of a person and their suitability as a potential spouse, it will not be unlawful.

Bear in mind that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) has also laid out a framework for suitability in marriage in the following hadith:

“A woman may be married for four things: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty and her religious commitment. Seek the one who is religiously-committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust”.

This hadith highlights the factors which are usually considered when looking for a suitable spouse and ends by stating that a person should look for someone who is religiously-committed.

صحيح البخاري (7/ 7)
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: ” تُنْكَحُ المَرْأَةُ [ص:8] لِأَرْبَعٍ: لِمَالِهَا وَلِحَسَبِهَا وَجَمَالِهَا وَلِدِينِهَا، فَاظْفَرْ بِذَاتِ الدِّينِ، تَرِبَتْ يَدَاكَ

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel