Aslam-o-alaikum, Dear sir, I have a few questions. One of which is very peculiar. 1. My friend died today in hospital, she was a few months younger than me. Although she was only a friend of mine, I felt that I loved her. She was of my age so marriage was not possible due to the societal restrictions. I prayed to God that if not in this world then in Heaven, make her my wife. However, I know very well that the husband in this world is the husband in hereafter, so I felt that I was praying wrong but I loved her way too much. But I feel that God listened to my prayers by taking her life before she could marry anyone. I once read in your fatwa that those women who have no husbands will be allowed to select men for themselves. Now in this world there were two people most close to her, I feel. Me and her Uncle (Mother's brother). The amazing thing is that I knew her for only 4 months and never even saw her.... only throught internet and phone I came close to her.Nevertheless, the last words that she spoke was take my name and her uncle's name. Now I know that I may be sounding absolutely stupid and sentimental, and possibly insane as well, but I really want to know that will women who leave this world unmarried will select men at random or those whom they knew? And will they be allowed to select men from their level of Paradise or any level? I know this may be difficult for you to answer but each and every single word of yours regarding my special kind of case will be invaluable. Secondly, I want to know whether dying the hair black is allowed if the hair start to turn white in teenage? My last one is not exactly a question, but do you have any prayers, hadith or quranic verses that would allow me to do Sabr. Because my exams are very near and I still can not think of anything apart from the death of my friend. I want solace but I cant find any....help me please and do hurry. Thank you.

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.

The matter is as you read in our Fataawa 88460, 88656 and 83305 that a woman who is not married in this life, will have a husband in Paradise, as there is no unmarried person in Paradise. As regards whom she will choose, whether it is a person whom she loved in this life, or any other person, then we are not aware of any narration which specifies this. However, there is no obstacle which prevents her from marrying a person whom she loved in this life and died without marrying him. Moreover, there is no obstacle for Allaah to raise the status of any person, in order to gather him with whomever he loves as He is the most merciful.

Therefore, we advise you not to think about this matter and rather think about what benefits you with regards to your religion and worldly affairs, and perform the deeds that would ensure you to be saved from Hellfire and enter Paradise. Furthermore, you should know that it is not permissible for a Muslim to establish an affectionate relationship with a marriageable woman, as this is a means which leads to corruption [fornication or adultery].

With regard to dyeing the hair black, please refer to Fatwa 89129, as concerning the supplications and mention of Allaah which helps one to be patient at times of calamities, then please refer to Fataawa 84970 and 86204.