Permissibility of Cousin Marriages

[Reader Questions]

Dear brother Joseph,

I have often wondered about this verse, 33.50, which appears to make marriage to cousins lawful- but only to the Prophet, and excludes believers at large.

Is this true or is this a misreading?

Kind regards

Peace

[Joseph Islam]

As-salam alaykum

These are additional restrictions imposed on the Prophet.

Whereas believers can marry any believing cousin / women only being limited to verse 4:23, the prophet has been restricted to marry only those cousins that have migrated with him possibly inferring their staunch commitment as believers in that they were willing to be part of his exodus for the cause of Islam.

He was not allowed to marry other cousins that were not willing to migrate.

This makes sense if you consider that anything that would jeopardise his ministry was being curtailed by Divine will.

I hope that helps, God willing,
Joseph.