I was about to be engaged to a rich man; however, the engagement was suddenly broken off for reasons that I did not know. Perhaps the reason behind it was that some of my relatives conveyed to the woman who mediated in the engagement an incorrect image about my attitude towards him. Is it permissible for me to search for the reasons behind my engagement being broken off or would this act be considered an objection to the decree of Allaah The Almighty?

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that everything happens according to the decree of Allaah - even the reluctance to do something and the activity to do it. [Muslim] In this case, reluctance means neglecting what should be done and delaying it. This Hadeeth denotes that Allaah The Almighty predestined the reluctance and the activity of people. Allaah the Almighty wrote the decree of all creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth. [Muslim]. Therefore, the questioner should be sure that what happened was predestined by Allaah The Almighty and none can obstruct a good thing that is predestined for her by Allaah The Almighty or ward off a harm that has been predestined for her by Him. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that if the Ummah (Muslim nation) gathered to benefit a person, they could not benefit him with something that had not been predestined for him; and if the Ummah gathered to harm a person, they could not harm him with something that had not been predestined for him. That is because all decree was written and is unchangeable. [At-Tirmithi]

We advise the questioner not to occupy herself with this issue and to know that what happened was predestinated for her. However, if she can pursue any of the lawful means to clarify the situation; such as telling this woman about her acceptance of the marriage, then she should do so. However, we alert the questioner to the fact that choosing a husband should not be based on the factor of his wealth; rather, one should choose a husband who is righteous.

Allaah Knows best.