Is the following a Hadith and is it authentic?
“Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prohibited the Muslims from marrying amongst their cousins/relatives”
Answer
‘Allamah Ibn Salah (rahimahullah) has stated that he has not come across any reliable basis for this [As a Hadith of Nabi sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam].
After quoting this ruling from ‘Allamah Ibnus Salah (rahimahullah), ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) says, ‘This is known to be the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu), for he [advised] a particular family saying ‘You have become thin/weak, so marry outside the family.’
(Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 1458, At Talkhisul Habir, vol. 5 pg. 2241, Hadith: 4766)
Note:
1) Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) himself married his cousin, Sayyidah Zaynab bintu Jahsh (radiyallahu ‘anha). (Al Isti’ab and Usdul Ghabah).
2) Kindly contact a Mufti/Darul Ifta for a Fiqh ruling on this issue, as -in some cases- it is affected by medical factors as well.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar