Marriage Between Young Egyptian Men and Older Foreign Women: Social, Economic, and Islamic Perspectives

A Social and Religious Perspective

In recent years, Egypt has seen a noticeable rise in young men marrying foreign women significantly older than themselves—sometimes by 20 or 30 years. Studies show that this phenomenon is particularly concentrated in tourist areas of Upper Egypt and the Red Sea, where young men often work in tourism-related jobs such as camel riding, sailing, or horse carriages.

While economic hardship and high local marriage costs push many young Egyptians toward these relationships, Islam and cultural traditions provide a deeper perspective on whether such unions are appropriate or sustainable.

Economic and Social Motivations

The high expenses of marrying an Egyptian woman—dowry, wedding celebrations, and the obligation of securing a fully furnished apartment—create financial obstacles for young men from modest families. On the other hand, older foreign women, often divorced or widowed, usually seek emotional companionship rather than material conditions.

For struggling young men, such marriages promise a quick escape from poverty, an opportunity to travel abroad, or a chance to return home with enough resources to build a house or buy a car.

The Islamic Perspective on Marriage with Foreign Women

According to Islamic Shariah, marriage is a sacred contract built on sincerity, permanence, and compatibility. While Islam permits Muslim men to marry women from the People of the Book (Christians and Jews), there are several clear conditions:

1. Faith Requirement

The woman must be Muslim or from the People of the Book (Christian or Jewish).

It is not permissible to marry a woman who is polytheist, idol-worshipper, fire-worshipper, Buddhist, or atheist, as such unions contradict the foundation of Islamic belief.

2. Conditions of a Valid Marriage Contract

Consent of the bride

Presence of a guardian (wali)

Two Muslim witnesses

Mutual acceptance and public announcement (ishar)

3. Permanence of Marriage

A valid Islamic marriage must be contracted with the intention of permanence, not temporary pleasure or financial benefit.

Islam strictly forbids temporary marriages (mut‘ah), which are considered void and sinful.

4. Compatibility (Kafaa)

Islam encourages balance between spouses in terms of religion, culture, education, and social background, to ensure stability and reduce conflict.

A Muslim man is highly recommended to marry a believing Muslim woman for the sake of shared faith, values, and lifestyle.

The Qur’an emphasizes this in the verse:

> “But a believing bondwoman is better than a polytheist woman, even though she might please you.” (Qur’an 2:221)

 

Why This Type of Marriage Is Problematic

When young men marry older foreign women solely for financial or sexual reasons, the marriage lacks the foundation of mutual faith, cultural compatibility, and long-term stability. Such unions are often driven by:

The man’s need for money or travel opportunities.

The woman’s desire for companionship, intimacy, and care in old age.

This transactional nature undermines the spiritual, social, and emotional goals of marriage in Islam. It risks becoming a purely utilitarian relationship, detached from the values of compassion, mercy, and shared responsibility.

Conclusion

Although Islam allows marriage to foreign women of the People of the Book, it sets strict conditions to ensure that marriage remains a sacred, permanent bond, not a temporary arrangement based on material gain. Islam prefers that Muslim men marry believing Muslim women, ensuring religious, cultural, and social harmony.

The rising trend of young Egyptian men marrying older foreign women often fails to meet these conditions. It is therefore viewed by many scholars as a marriage of necessity and utility, rather than one built on true compatibility, faith, and commitment.

Ultimately, such unions may provide short-term relief but rarely lead to the stable, lifelong companionship that Islam envisions for marriage.