Wa alaikum salaam wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh,

Certainly, the prospect of marriage and having children is exciting for many, but there are also many that feel like you do and fear the thought of it. This feeling is made especially strong in your case by the fact you have heard of many a negative experience from colleagues.

First of all, you cannot judge what your own experience of marriage will be like based on this handful of people, because there also many others who live happily married lives too and have good relations with extended family. That said, all marriages do come with some form of test along the way, but these are tests that can also strengthen a marriage if managed in the best way. So, I would urge you to try and think beyond the experiences of your colleagues and remember that there are many positives in marriage also. Only paying head to those who have had bad experiences will inevitably leave you feeling as you are – like you don’t want to pursue marriage, because who wants to enter an institution that they feel will end up in much unhappiness?

The best way to remember the positives in marriage is to go back to the Qur’an and Sunnah and remember. Allah describes marriage as the most beautiful thing in that spouses can bring more comfort to one another than anyone else can. A spouse is someone to rely on, someone who can support you in times of difficulty. Additionally, we also know that marriage is prescribed from a young age as a protection from falling into sin also. A chance to have all your needs met in the halal way; the way that is pleasing to Allah. Many times, people who don’t pursue marriage fall into zina to have these needs met and therefore will have to face the consequence of sinning whether it be in this life or the next or both. If it is that you o chose to wait longer until you marry then you must ensure to do all you can to not fall into such traps by never being alone with another man and avoid areas where free mixing takes place.

The fact that your parents are seeking to find you a spouse now is a sign of their love for you. Having been young once they are aware of the dangers of remaining unmarried and want to protect you from this. Their actions should reassure you that they really care for your well being and want what’s best for you for the sake of Allah.

Maybe there is a chance you are not fancying marriage because you have faced a few rejections, and maybe this is not making you feel confident about yourself and your prospects as a wife, but you can rest assured that when the right man comes you way, Allah will make it happen. That man will be one who is not judging you by your skin colour. Those rejections you have had are good ones and a sign of Allah’s Mercy, because if they were truly judging you and rejecting you because of your skin tone, then they were not going to make good spouses anyway so Allah has saved you from some potentially difficult marriages.

May Allah help you to find comfort in the thought of marriage for His sake and may He bring a righteous spouse your way who will bring you happiness and contentment in this life and the next.