Asalamualaikum, Dear Sheikh, the question I have is regarding choosing a possibe future husband. I am a practicing Muslimah, Alhamdulilah and in my twenties. I have kidney failure and curently on kidney dialysis. At the hospital that I attend, there is a Muslim brother there who also has kidney failure and is on kidney dialysis. He is the perfect and ideal Muslim husband.The problem is that he is in prison.He is always being escorted by two police officers in handcuffs to his treatments and hospital appointments. I feel that my heart has become attracted to him. It is the first time I see a Muslim brother who is practicing true Islam. He is very polite and nice to all the nurses and doctors. I am currently studying Medicine and also the time for me to find a suitable husband is drawing near. I am attracted to him. I have not spoken to him and he has not spoken to me. I want to prevent any fitnah from occuring. My mum and brother have seen him and they like him. I feel that we are both suitable for each other for many reasons such as we both practice our deen, we have the same nationality, and we are similar ages, and we both have kidney failure and both are awiting kidney transplants. This is good for us because since we are both going through similar problems, we can at least understand each other. I occupy myself with my studies to stop my self thinking of him (I know about the dangers of falling in love for the wrong reasons and how it is a sickness of the heart). The problem is that he is in prison and I don't know why (the nurses can't say for confidential reasons). I think he as been wronged! I really want to marry this brother when he is released from prison InshaAllah. I will wait for him inshaAllah. Please pray for him. What advice can you give me? What shall I do? Shall I ask my father or brother to go and speak to him? Shall I ask Allah {SW} to free him and keep him for me for marriage?
JazakumAllahu khairan

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we ask Allaah to cure both of you and that young man and free him from prison.

There is no doubt that a man who is religious and has a good moral conduct is the best husband to be hoped for a girl, and it is for this reason that the Prophet said: “If a man whose religion and moral character are pleasing to you proposes to you, let him marry.” [At-Tirmithi] Hence, it is permissible for you to supplicate Allaah to free him and make him your husband.

However, before taking any step in regard to marrying that young man, you should be patient about this matter and ask the trustworthy people who know him in order to know what he is accused of and whether or not he will be freed from prison soon. The decision of marriage should not be based on emotions or just because of liking the personality of someone and his delicacy in speaking with others.

Then, if your marriage to him is facilitated, praise be to Allaah, otherwise you should avoid thinking about him and supplicate Allaah to bless you with a better husband. For more benefit on the ruling of love before marriage, please refer to Fataawa 120630 and 84444.