Shaykh, some people on social media say cousin marriage should be avoided. They don’t call it makruh but suggest avoiding it, citing Imam Shafi‘i and Ibn Qudamah, saying children may be weak or less intelligent, and even science supports this.I want to marry my cousin is this okay or should I avoid?

Imam Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Rather, marrying from relatives can be better. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ married from among his relatives. As for what some jurists say, this has no basis. Rather, a person has the choice: if he wishes, he may marry a relative, such as the daughter of his paternal uncle or maternal uncle, and if he wishes, he may marry someone unrelated—there is no harm in that. As for the statement of those who say that marrying a non-relative results in better offspring and is preferable, this has no basis and no evidence. If a good, righteous relative is available, then she is more deserving, and this also falls under maintaining family ties. However, if the non-relative woman is more beautiful and has more goodness, then the non-relative is better. The main point is that one should seek a righteous woman, whether she is a relative or not.”