As'salamu Alaikum Everyone,
Marriage of cousins is dangerous, just as women getting pregnant at age of 40 is also dangerous, dear brother Sama. The comparison in the article is misleading. If a woman, by choice, is reckless enough today to get married at very late age, and risk having deformed babies due to her eggs being too old, then this is something that can not be upheld or defended.
In my humble opinion, the reason why Islam (all religions on earth also allow it) allows for cousins to marry is for the following reasons:
1- Children born from cousins-marriage are not always deformed or born with genetic problems. Many of them are born ok with perhaps minor deformities or issues.
2- People back then were very tribal. In the days of the sword, you stuck with your brothers. Otherwise, you'd end up either dead or a slave. And your women and children would be enslaved.
But today, we must highly discourage marriage with cousins. It's dangerous for the children. Also, all non-related people who have serious genetic issues, such as big birth defects or cancer that runs in the family should be avoided.
Take care,
Osama Abdallah
