Cousin Marriage in the Light of Islam and Medical Science
Cousin marriage is considered to be a cause of viral diseases in the societies where it is in practice. This study focuses on the practice of cousin marriage in the light of islam and medical science. Various holy texts regarding Maharim, non-Maharim and marriage were studied in detail. Analyses of the studies about diseases that are counted with consanguineous marriages were carried out. It was observed that there are a number of rare disorders described in medical science linked with cousin marriages. Islam taking into account this drawback in cousin marriage encourages marriages outside the family. Islam has not forbidden cousin marriages at all. However Islam has encouraged marriage outside the family to widen the social circle. Research in medical science has proved that marriages in the same family are responsible for causing various diseases.