The Shāfi'i Position[edit]
According to the
Shāfi'i school of thought, kafa'ah concerns the factors of lineage, religiousness, profession, and being free of defects that permit annulling the marriage contract (
nikah).
[8] It must not be misunderstood as a recommendation of whom to marry. Rather, it should be taken as a legal restriction to protect a woman's interest in her marriage.
[8] If a woman wishes to marry someone who is seemingly incompatible based these factors, there is nothing wrong in her doing so.
[8] Accordingly, an Arab woman should not marry a non-Arab man; similarly, a virtuous woman should not marry a corrupt man, (though it is sufficient should the husband give up his wrongdoing).[8] A daughter of someone with a higher profession should not marry a man of a lowly profession.[8] The wealth of either parties is not a factor to be considered, as it is merely temporary and "those with self-respect and intelligence do not take pride in it."[8]