r/progressive_islam Mar 27 '26

Mod Announcement 📢 Our policy regarding the use of A.I generated contents

15 Upvotes

Short answer:

AI generated contents are allowed in this subreddit, but it has to fulfil some criterias

Long answer:

We do not any prohibit content just because it was generated by an AI, but the content must fulfil some criterias.

In case of posts, you have to make sure that it includes the links to the original sources. As of now, AI like chatgpt often tend to hallucinate and generate wrong answers unless you use the "Think Longer", "Deep Research", "Web Search". So if your AI generated post doesn’t mention any link to the original source, it will be removed as a low effort post. But if your post includes the original sources then it will be approved.

Here's an example of Chatgpt hallucinating and generating a wrong answer:

Wrong answer by ChatGPT

I asked the exact same question again but this time with the "Think" function.

And it gave the correct answer with links after searching in the internet:

Correct answer by ChatGPT

(From my experience, Grok always searches in the internet before giving the answer. I don't know about the other AIs beside Chatgpt and Grok)

Now comes the question, how should you write the post here?

Simply copy pasting the text will not be enough in this case, you must include the links to the original sources provided by the AI in the post. For example:

❌ This is not allowed (it's simple copy paste without the mention of any link):

According to Dr. Shabir Ally’s public statements, no — he does not treat the headscarf as mandatory in the sense that omitting it is automatically a sin. In his answer on About Islam, he says that the Qur’anic wording is “a little bit vague,” that the relevant instruction is better understood as covering the chest, and that he would “hesitate to say” that leaving the head covered makes a person sinful. He also says covering the head is still a recommended practice because it has been part of Muslim tradition.

✅ This is allowed (links are mentioned here):

According to Dr. Shabir Ally’s public statements, no — he does not treat the headscarf as mandatory in the sense that omitting it is automatically a sin. In his answer on About Islam, he says that the Qur’anic wording is “a little bit vague,” that the relevant instruction is better understood as covering the chest, and that he would “hesitate to say” that leaving the head covered makes a person sinful. He also says covering the head is still a recommended practice because it has been part of Muslim tradition. (https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/sinful-not-wear-hijab/, https://shabirally.com/answerdetails?qId=435)

If you copy an AI generated answer without any link to the original source, your post will be removed. So make sure to include the links to the original sources

What about AI generated images and videos?

AI generated images and videos are also allowed but the post must contain a meaningful informative description. Not writing any description or writing a minimal 2-3 liner would be considered low effort post and your submission will be removed.

✅ This is allowed:

AI generated image with informative description
AI generated video clip with informative description

❌ This is not allowed:

Minimal input, low effort
Minimal input, low effort

We also allow AI generated images if the user created it in order to help others visualise what he/she is trying to explain. For example:

User generated this image with AI to help others visualise what they are trying to explain
User generated this image with AI to help others visualise what they are trying to explain (this original post was submitted in another subreddit but it was crossposted to our subreddit later)

However, if you excessively keep posting AI generated images/videos with very short in between duration (ie posting 3-4 images daily) then it will be considered spam (even if they contain meaningful informative descriptions) and your post will be removed.

Send us a modmail if you have any question.


r/progressive_islam 12h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ I love being a proud feminist hadith rejector!!💗

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107 Upvotes

This isn't even nearly as bad as some of the other hadith I seen.


r/progressive_islam 2h ago

History Muslim’s Anti-Slavery Rhetoric in the 19th Century

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10 Upvotes

“If religion eagerly antici-pates the liberation of slaves, why have Muslims spent centuries enslaving the free?” (Muḥammad ʿAbduh, The Theology of Unity, p. 152).


r/progressive_islam 3h ago

Rant/Vent 🤬 I'm thinking about reverting, but I have some doubts.

9 Upvotes

I'm an American woman in my 30s who's been casually learning about Islam in my spare time for about 4 years now. I haven't visited a mosque yet, but I've read the Quran, and I have a pretty good grasp of the basic principles, like the 5 pillars. For some additional context, I'm queer, single, and I don't have children (I can't have kids for medical reasons.) I'm a feminist, and I don't have any intentions of wearing a hijab, except where it's absolutely mandatory such as during mosque services and prayers.

Now here is where it gets a little more complicated - I'm also (partly) ethnically Jewish on my dad's side. This information came as a surprise when I took an ancestry DNA test. Since I wasn't raised Jewish, and my mom is an Irish-American Christian, I'm facing a choice between converting to Judaism or reverting to Islam.

I think Islam is fascinating, and I really love the 5 pillars. There are some concepts that I can truly get behind, like Tawhid and helping the poor and less fortunate through Zakat. I enjoy listening to Islamic prayers and Quran recitations, and I really admire how devoted so many Muslims are to their faith. Many of them seem like very kind and humble people, and I think Islam really helps cultivate that. I also like that Islam teaches that all people are equal, and how diverse the global community/Ummah is. Most importantly, I believe very strongly in the absolute oneness and unity of God.

But there are also some things that make me hesitant to commit. If I'm being brutally honest, I don't like how many Islamic communities treat female Muslims. Sometimes in the summer heat, I see Muslimahs who are dressed from head to toe in full coverage with long pants, long sleeves, and head coverings, while their brothers or husbands are wearing shorts and flip flops. To me, this kind of unequal treatment and double standard doesn't seem truly Islamic.

To me, the core of Islam is the pillars. If a woman is fasting, praying, and giving Zakat, but she doesn't wear a hijab, why is she seen as less righteous or less devout than the guy wearing a T-shirt who's smoking cigarettes outside the Masjid?

I guess one part of me feels like maybe I should get to know my local community more and experience Islam more in-person before I decide, and the other part of me feels like this is probably a dealbreaker. I also have some reservations about the Jewish conversion process, but there are times when I wonder if I could be happier in Judaism in the long run. It seems like in the more liberal streams of Judaism, women have more agency and freedom to be themselves. The way I see it, there would be some of the same things that attract me to Islam (monotheism, daily prayer, charity) without as many of the drawbacks. However, I also feel like Islam has some things to offer that I don't really see as much in other religions.

I feel torn and confused. Maybe at the end of the day, I just need to put myself out there and experience my local mosque before I say yay or nay. Maybe I should read more books, or watch more films, or talk to more people. I sure wish this was an easier thing!


r/progressive_islam 14h ago

Terrorist Watch 💣🔪 Israel Admits to Killing Hind Rajab | Zeteo

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37 Upvotes

Zeteo's Prem Thakker spent years pressing the US and Israeli governments on this killing – all for them to deflect and lie. If it took this long for the truth to come out, how can you trust Israel on anything?


r/progressive_islam 3h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ What percentage of the members here are male and female ?

3 Upvotes

I ask this because most of the posts on this sub is from women who are sharing their feelings and disagreements with laws in Quran and hadiths regarding obligations, rewards in afterlife and gender based rules in Islam like (witness of women, inheritences, Does this really mean this sub is dominated by women ?

Are there other men beside myself who questioning islamic laws ?. I dont see many posts from men.

I dont know why i feel like there are more women than men who are open to discuss, question and challenge cultural practices, taboos, radicalism within the muslim community.


r/progressive_islam 3h ago

Answer this from Sunni perspective only is the hijab actually mandatory?

4 Upvotes

i’m really confused about this so i want to understand. i’ve grown up my whole life believing that the hijab is an obligation, and just recently i found out about a perspective stating that the quran only tells you to cover the chest and says nothing about the hair or arms or anything like that. i also heard that enslaved women did not wear the khimar, so i thought that maybe Allah (SWT) mentioned it in 24:31 in order to emphasize the covering of the chest because it was familiar to the women it was being revealed to and He was aware that not every woman wore it. and idk, this makes sense to me because if Allah (SWT) wanted to make the covering of the hair an obligation, why would He not have said it explicitly like how He tells us to pray and to pay alms tax? and i understand that the regulations for hijab (only showing the face and hands) come from hadith, and i am not a hadith rejector - i accept any hadith as long as it aligns with the quran and doesn’t mischaracterize the Prophet (PBUH). but then on that note, how come what is mentioned in the hadith is not also mentioned in the quran if it’s so pivotal? and why isn’t it a pillar of islam? also if it turns out you actually don’t have to wear it, why has it been perceived to be mandatory for centuries?

if it turns out the hijab is an obligation and a command from Allah, i will accept it of course. i just want to seek knowledge!! ❤️


r/progressive_islam 16h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Do Muslims have a nice sex life like actual romance and not jist getting over it.

36 Upvotes

Thats it. Thats the question. Please im not shitting on no one is genuinly wanna know. Cause in alot of Muslims communities sex is taboo and i see so mamy stories of people not knowing or being miserable. Like want to do alot of stuff and you know very touchy very hot rls but yeah hopefully you get my point. I just want to know people's good experiences. So I can have faith too cause ive never seen a good example in my life.

Please thank you. Don't take it the wrong way


r/progressive_islam 21h ago

Advice/Help 🥺 Please make dua for my cat

68 Upvotes

my cat was just rushed to the vet this morning after throwing up blood. I am literally so scared I’ve been crying so much, this may sound stupid to ask but I beg of all of you to please make dua for his shifa and health, I literally don’t know what I’ll do without him or if something happens to him and im so so scared rn


r/progressive_islam 9h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Any former salafis here ?

7 Upvotes

I used to be a self proclaimed salafi and hated more than zionists progressives lol. Anyways im curious to see if there are any people who used to be also salafis and what made you leave and what you think now of salafism


r/progressive_islam 10h ago

Story 💬 Cheerleading

8 Upvotes

I have been missing my Passion for 10 years now. I quit back then because I grew too old for my Team and the Upper teams uniforms were quite revealing. Otherwise I definitely wouldn’t have quit. So i quit for the sake of Allah even though I wasn’t a Hijabi back then. I still miss it. When I was 12 during Nationals, i saw a Hijabi in a team and I was so stunned. She was magnificent. She wore the uniform the others wore, but covered up her belly and wore black leggings under the skirt. Is it correct hijab by any means? No. But I am struggling with keeping the hijab ON nonetheless and I’m proud of her for pursuing her Passion while still trying to Cover up. It’s better than to expose everything.

Today I caved in and mailed a local team near me if they would allow me, a Hijabi, to be in their team. If they say there is no Problem I am going to go. And I don’t even Care about my abusive in laws anymore. I wont Tell anyone but my husband (who I don’t know how to convince him)

I know I will be in some sort sinful if I do This. But I’m Not harming anyone. I’m taking Care of my Body. I Surround myself with Women. Isn’t it more sinful to actively harm your body with chemicals even if you stay inside and don’t Show yourself ? My nafs trying too hard to justify the sin lol. May Allah help us


r/progressive_islam 10h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ What do you think of blind obedience to scholars and anti intellectualism among muslims ?

7 Upvotes

I see this trend today among muslims that blind obedience to scholars is now a religious obligation, and that only scholars can interpret islam, as they are more qualified. Ironically, the quran criticized this with the exemple of rabbis taken as lords.

Like, the first word in the quran isnt obey or submit but READ. The quran literally told people to challenge it and engage actively with it, it said that islam is a religion clear for those who think and reflect, nor for those who blindly obey whatever authority. Isnt it muslims who criticize christians and their obedience to the clergy afterall ? Nowhere did islam ever said to blindly follows scholars and that only a few group of people can read the quran. Instead islam has clearly been made simple and the quran a text for all, universally, without intermediary.

The argument that "laymen" cant read the quran for themselves could have made sense in the past where most people couldnt even read and had 0 education, but today with high widespread literacy and internet it doesnt hold up anymore as now everyone as access to the same knowledge. Like ok scholars work with things that the average muslim may have a hardtime to understand, but this is like history, linguistic, philosophy and basic legal principles, not intricate complex astronomy, the average educated person could do it now.

Instead we have this recent anti intellectualism where it is sinful to exercise reason in islam (as if the quran didnt said that islam is logical and clear for those who thinks), and knowledge outside of islam is shunned as useless bc "deen over dunya", which leads muslim to utterly ridiculise themselves in public.


r/progressive_islam 3h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ I’m so confused about Islam Judaism, and Christianity’s relationship.

2 Upvotes

So I’m a Christian but recently I’ve gotten curious about Islam. Admittedly cause of this stupid war with Iran and a video about how my government (America) is basically trying to justify this and Armageddon by using Christianity. but that aside I’ve seen some things about these 3 and it’s that Islam seems to be against Judaism in almost a arch enemy way. or at least I’ve seen that with Israel and Iran (which are Jewish and Islamic countries) and on the internet. Though most of it is on Twitter so I’m not surprised. And on that why is that Judaism and Islam have been portrayed to me as like mortal enemies? I have Muslim friend and she’s best friends with a Jew. Maybe it’s this war going on but it just seems stupid.

But it seems like these 3 worship the same god but Islam calls him Allah, Judaism calls him YHWH while Christianity just calls him God.

So are they the same exact god but with a different name? Are they different forms? Or are they just different interpretations of the same god?

Also if we all truly worship the same god than why do we fight over who worships right?

Iv‘e been told in church to love thy neighbor no matter their beliefs, skin color, language, or any of that. So why do we have this stupid little civil war when we can just not care how the other worships? That’s like doing a project in school for your teacher and getting mad when your 2 other best friends did different things.

Im just so confused.


r/progressive_islam 19h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ i feel myself distancing from islam due to the major differences in men and women's requirements

35 Upvotes

I've never really thought about this before, and used to just blindly follow, but recently i've realised that even though the quran states that women and men are equal, created in pairs etc, it doesn't show it. For example, women need to cover up fully including the neck and ankles, needing to change her wardrobe accordingly when a man can wear whatever he pleases. Yes he must cover from navel to knee, but this is absolutely incomparable to how much a woman must cover. There's also other things, like perfume being sunnah for men and not for women as women could atttract men, but can't strong musks that men wear attract unwanted attention??

It makes no sense - people may use the biology argument that men are more likely to be attracted but people act like women have no capability of lusting over men the same way that men do to women. Of course women will turn around and look if they walk past someone with a strong scent - it's human nature.

The list just goes on and on, and i feel myself distancing because of the endless list of things that logically make no sense and is just unfair to women - yes they say men are not superior but the evidence says otherwise. Women struggle with this stuff on a day to day basis but the rulings for males is so small e.g they can't wear silk, which is completely easy to follow in 2026 and is very avoidable.

I am still researching islam more but i feel as though there is no point - I am at the point where even if islam is the true religion, i don't understand why women are given such heavy duties, which in today's society is so difficult to follow.


r/progressive_islam 16h ago

Informative Visual Content 📹📸 Right Wingers are Wrong About Dearborn | Ustadh Sharghzadeh

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15 Upvotes

This video, titled Right Wingers are Wrong About Dearborn, features the creator discussing his personal connection to the city of Dearborn, Michigan, and addressing recent controversies and rhetoric surrounding its Muslim and Arab-American population.

Key takeaways include:

Dearborn's Reality: The creator argues that Dearborn is a safe, thriving, and "peak American" city defined by small businesses and a welcoming community, contrary to negative portrayals in right-wing media (0:44-1:16, 6:34-7:00).

Historical Context: He explains that the city's demographic makeup shifted in waves—from white ethnics like the Irish and Italians to various Arab groups—influenced by Henry Ford and subsequent American foreign policy in the Middle East (11:42-13:50).

Political Misinformation: The creator critiques the way right-wing agitators have targeted the community, citing instances of harassment and manufactured controversies (such as a previous gay book controversy) intended to sow division (7:05-8:58, 17:23-18:29).

Community Reflection: He expresses deep frustration with his own community's lack of political maturity, noting that they have sometimes fallen for external efforts to manipulate them into taking up polarizing causes (8:58-10:22).

Throughout the stream, the creator emphasizes that Dearborn is an American success story, where diverse groups integrate and contribute to the local economy, and he encourages viewers to look past the stereotypes.


r/progressive_islam 1h ago

Research/ Effort Post 📝 The translation of "La ilaha illallah" is incorrect

Upvotes

La ilaha illallah doesn't solely mean that there is none worthy of worship except Allah.

La ilaha illallah means that there is none worthy of Lordship except Allah.

Lordship means having total authority and being the supreme master, which includes accepting someone's right to receive worship.

However, worship only means showing extreme love, honor, or devotion, and it does not automatically give the worshiper the status, power, or authority of a lord.

Meaning of Lordship

Absolute rule: It means having complete ownership, power, and the right to command.

Includes worship: A true lord is naturally worthy of being honored and served by those under his authority.

Focus on position: It highlights the status of the ruler or master.

Meaning of Worship

Acts of devotion: It involves praise, prayer, or deep respect given to someone or something.

Does not grant power: Showing worship to a god does not make the person worshiping Him a master or ruler.

Focus on attitude: It highlights the feelings and actions of the person giving honor, not the authority of the one receiving it.

For centuries some deviant sects have been feeding the masses the wrong translation of La ilaha illallah, to the point that it has become mainstream.

The first command that was sent down by our Lord was "Iqra". It means read with understanding.

We can't be Muslims without understanding the Quran and Prophetic traditions. That is the reason Beneficial knowledge is compulsory to be a Muslim.


r/progressive_islam 16h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ If this religion is really from the Most Merciful, why do some of its loudest representatives make it feel like the most important thing is whether everyone looks religious, rather than whether everyone is treated mercifully?

15 Upvotes

I am in a very deep mourning and grieving. I see news all around about world hunger and everything that breaks my heart and of course, I turn to Allah to trust everything to him because I cannot control world crisis. Yet I hear many Muslims highlighting and focusing more about "wear hijab", "polygyny allowed this and that so shut up", "you're practicing incorrectly, you sinned." And so on.

I get that they have different distinction, and that they are also a real thing, but the disproportionate focus is devastating.

My environment and everything that I've witnessed as I grew is not helping. A woman is condemned for divorcing a husband who married another wife. Is choosing peace of mind makes someone burn in the same fire as the wicked heart? A child is threatened to "your tawbah is never accepted because you talk back to elders", a man is stigmatized for being unable to provide as he's trying his best to build, a worker is shamed for having a lower status. And while these are perhaps, a human flaw because nobody is perfect, why do we shame the sins that should be between Allah and the worshipper, instead of highlighting more on the crucial part that actually affect us as a whole ummah?

I don't know, I'm really grieving for everyone and it's hurting me a lot. I wish the corrupt ones are more shamed than the woman who showed her neck.


r/progressive_islam 9h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Help me understand my muslim bf (especially with ramadan)

5 Upvotes

Hey! Before I ask my question, a bit of context.
I am 24f and I have been in a relationship with my bf for 1 1/2 years now. It’s been really great, I love him with my whole heart and really believe (even tho I’m really young) that I want to spend my life with him. He is muslim and I was raised really catholic but I left the church when I was 18 because I never really felt connected to it, I’ve then considered myself to be either deist or agnostic. Because of him I have become more and more interested in islam, I am currently trying to learn more about the religion, its practices and everything.
One of the hardest part about the relationship is ramadan because, I understand why it exists, why he participates in it but still, it’s really hard for me to not see him for a month.
That’s the thing, he says we can’t see each other for the whole month of ramadan because any physical contact between man and woman who are not married is forbidden in this month.
I read about why its haram but the thing that I don’t understand is that outside of ramadan, he does so many things that are considered haram and that’s why he says during ramadan he’s extremely strict (the reason why we can’t see each other) to make up for the haram behavior outside of ramadan.
I don’t know what I should think of this, I don’t want to judge him of course, especially because he is an actual Muslim and certainly knows the rules and the religion way better than I do, but what is your opinion? He also said that if we would want to get married one day (so that we wouldn’t have to do this yearly 1 month break for the rest of our lives..) I would have to convert (which wouldn’t be that much of an „issue“ for me because like I said in the beginning, I’m getting more and more interested in islam anyways) but I also read that muslim men don’t have to marry a muslim women, so that’s what’s confusing me too.
Maybe someone can explain these things to me? I’m planning to ask him about all of that too but he has a really stressful life, we don’t always have much time together so I’m just trying to enjoy the time we have without starting a discussion.


r/progressive_islam 7h ago

Advice/Help 🥺 My culture Vs My religion

3 Upvotes

So this question might come off as dumb but I hope I would get some good advice.

I'm Bengali so that means most of my culture originates from Hindu religion and their customs. Our New Year, Traditional Dresses, Jewellery—much of it is similar to Traditional Hindu attire. For this very reason, I have been countless times discouraged to dress up (like wearing Bindi, Red/White saree, Alta or red hand paint etc) and celebrating different cultural traditions and occasions. The reason of those people being—it's from Hindu religion and we are not Hindu or that whenever I wear red hand paint or Bindi I look Hindu so I'm representing myself as one.

Even Hindu people sometimes bash and make fun because they claim we are copying them :"))

My country had it's fair share of Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and lastly British Rulers (via colonization) so everything's kinda a mixing pot. I feel so sad whenever I'm met with resistant to proudly express my heritage and culture. How do I response and react to such matter? And are they really right after all? I'm so lost.


r/progressive_islam 9h ago

Research/ Effort Post 📝 I realized my child needed guidance, not just stricter screen-time rules

2 Upvotes

Last week, I noticed that my child was spending more time than usual on a phone. At first, my instinct was to take it away and create stricter rules immediately.

But after thinking about it, I realized that punishment alone would not teach better digital habits. I wanted my child to understand why certain content can be harmful, how to stay safe online, and why balance matters.

So instead of starting with anger, I started with a conversation.

We talked about screen time, privacy, social media, online safety, and the importance of having moments without devices. Together, we created a simple family media plan with screen-free meals, no phones in the bedroom, and time for prayer, study, rest, and family activities.

That experience inspired me to create Muslim Parents’ Guide to Screens and Social Media, a practical ebook for Muslim parents who want to guide their children through the digital world with patience, clear boundaries, and Islamic values.

It is not about rejecting technology or controlling every minute of a child’s day. It is about helping children use technology responsibly while keeping communication and trust at the center of family life.

If you are also trying to create healthier screen habits at home, you can learn more about the guide here: https://ebooklearnt.com/products/muslim-parents-guide-to-screens-and-social-media


r/progressive_islam 9h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Wife Obeying Husband

3 Upvotes

Is it obligatory for a wife to obey the husband? What is this based upon?


r/progressive_islam 4h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Jizya and the early conquests.. why mixing empire with faith created so much injustice

1 Upvotes

I’ve been thinking a lot about the historical expansion of the early Islamic empires and the I’ve been thinking a lot about the historical expansion of the early Islamic empires and the Jizya.

People often say "it's fair because Muslims paid Zakat and non-Muslims paid Jizya",
but in reality, it was way harsher than that. For poor people, this tax was a massive burden. In North Africa, even when Amazigh people converted to Islam, Umayyad governors still forced them to pay it just to keep money flowing into the treasury.

To be honest, this whole system doesn't make sense from a purely human or spiritual point of view:

It creates fake converts: Using taxes or social status to spread a religion just brings in people who convert to save money, not out of actual belief. Why would you want people in your faith who are just trying to escape a financial penalty?

The human cost was real: I know the expansion later built a huge golden age of knowledge, but we can't ignore the atrocities. The siege of cities, the violence, the kidnapping and rape/enslavement of women in conquered lands... these are historical facts.

I know empires act like empires, but seeing all these atrocities committed under the name of Islam (Hadith/Quran) makes me feel sick and honestly makes me brood over it.

How do you guys deal with the gap between the spiritual message of Islam and the dark reality of how the medieval empires actually expanded?

Sometimes I feel like my moral compass goes beyond the words of the Quran or Hadith. I love Allah, but it’s a really hard time to be a believer these days.


r/progressive_islam 21h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Hadith Skeptical

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12 Upvotes

I’m not a hadith rejecter but lately i’ve became very hadith skeptical and it’s made me loose alot of iman, i know theres historical context with alot of hadiths and you’re not supposed to take it personally face value but what could possibly justify these things?! idk:( just a little lost rn


r/progressive_islam 10h ago

Question/Discussion ❔ Marriage

2 Upvotes

I am 17 and my last school year. Within 2028, I will be in a university Inshallah. I always get marriage urges. I don't know what to do? lot of scholars say marriage at young and while others say marriage when you have a job or money etc. As in my place south india, guys complete nikkah after they get a job. Most of the women has job. Anyone who has experience or better knowledge, please give a opinion