Eligibility of Marriage
What is the Eligibility of Marriage?
In Islam, marriage is a very important and sacred relationship. There are certain rules and guidelines about who is eligible for marriage and with whom marriage is allowed. Here’s a simple explanation:
Who is Eligible for Marriage in Islam?
- Age and Maturity:
- A person must be mature enough to understand the responsibilities of marriage. This usually means reaching the age of puberty. However, maturity is also important, and it is generally understood as the ability to manage the responsibilities of marriage and family life.
- Physical and Mental Health:
- A person should be in good health physically and mentally to ensure they can fulfill the duties of marriage, such as providing for the spouse and managing family responsibilities.
- Free from Legal Impediments:
- A person must not be married already (unless they are in the process of divorce or widowhood), and there should be no legal or religious reasons preventing marriage (e.g., forbidden relationships or already being married to the maximum number of wives allowed in Islam, which is four).
- Consent:
- Both the man and woman must give their free consent. Marriage is not valid if either party is forced into it. Consent is a key element in an Islamic marriage.
- Financial Responsibility:
- The husband is expected to be financially capable of providing for his wife (and family, if applicable). This includes giving her a mahr (dowry), which is a gift the husband gives to the wife as part of the marriage contract.
Who Can One Marry in Islam?
Marriage is allowed with certain people and forbidden with others. Islam has clear guidelines about whom you can and cannot marry.
- Spouse from the Opposite Gender:
- In Islam, marriage is allowed between a man and a woman. Same-gender marriage is not allowed.
- Who You Cannot Marry (Forbidden Relatives):
Islam has clear rules about who a person cannot marry. These are the people who are forbidden due to close blood relations or marital relations:
- Direct Blood Relatives (Mahram):
- Mother and father (both parents)
- Sisters
- Daughters
- Aunts (both paternal and maternal)
- Nieces (the daughters of your siblings)
- In-laws (Due to Marital Relations):
- Mother-in-law and Father-in-law
- Stepdaughters (if you have already married their mother)
- Daughter-in-law (your son’s wife)
- Sister-in-law (your brother’s wife)
- Breastfeeding Relatives (If a woman has breastfed a child, it creates a bond like a blood relationship):
- A child who has been breastfed by a woman becomes a mahram to her daughters and any of her blood relatives.
These are all people you cannot marry in Islam because of the close family relationships.
- People You Are Allowed to Marry:
- You can marry anyone who is not part of the forbidden relationships mentioned above.
- You can marry a person from any race, ethnicity, or social background, as long as they are Muslim or they are people of the Abrahamic faiths (Jews and Christians), under certain conditions.
- The Role of the Guardian (Wali):
- For a woman to get married, she must have a wali (guardian), who is usually her father, but could also be another male relative such as a brother. The wali ensures that the marriage is in the woman’s best interest.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“A woman is married off by her guardian.”
- Sahih Bukhari
Key Guidelines for Marriage in Islam:
- Consent: Both parties must agree to the marriage willingly.
- Physical and Mental Readiness: Both individuals must be mature and capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of marriage.
- No Forbidden Relationships: A person cannot marry close relatives (blood or marital).
- A Muslim Spouse: Marriage is primarily between a Muslim man and a Muslim woman, or a Muslim man and a woman from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).
- Financial Responsibility: The husband should be able to support his wife and the family.
Summary:
- A person is eligible for marriage in Islam when they are of mature age, in good health, and financially capable of fulfilling their responsibilities. Both the man and woman must consent to the marriage.
- Marriage is allowed between a man and a woman, but there are strict guidelines about who can and cannot marry. Certain close relatives are forbidden to marry each other.
- A guardian (wali) must be involved in the woman’s marriage to ensure her interests are protected
Quran & Hadith References
References from the Quran:
- Consent in Marriage:
“And do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree between themselves in a lawful manner.”
- Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:232
- This verse emphasizes that marriage must be based on mutual consent of both parties.
- Marriage Between a Man and Woman:
“And marry those among you who are single, and the righteous among your male and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty.”
- Surah An-Nur, 24:32
- This verse highlights that marriage in Islam is permitted between a man and a woman, regardless of their social status.
- Forbidden Relatives for Marriage:
“Prohibited to you [for marriage] are: your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your paternal aunts, your maternal aunts, your brother’s daughters, your sister’s daughters, your foster mothers who gave you suck, your foster sisters, your wives’ mothers, your stepdaughters under your guardianship (born of your wives to whom you have consummated marriage), and the wives of your sons…”
- Surah An-Nisa, 4:23
- This verse lists the forbidden relationships for marriage in Islam.
- Rights of Women in Marriage:
“And give the women [whom you marry] their due compensation (mahr) as an obligation…”
- Surah An-Nisa, 4:4
- This verse highlights the importance of the mahr (dowry) in the marriage contract, which is a right of the wife.
References from Hadith:
- Consent of the Woman in Marriage:
“A woman’s marriage is not valid unless her guardian gives permission, and a virgin is not married unless her consent is sought.”
- Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2085
- This Hadith makes it clear that consent is crucial for the validity of the marriage, especially the woman’s consent.
- Marriage is Allowed Between a Man and Woman:
“When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion. So let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half.”
- Sunan Al-Bayhaqi, Hadith 15
- This Hadith highlights the significance of marriage between a man and woman as part of fulfilling half of one’s faith.
- Forbidden Relationships for Marriage (Relatives):
“A man is not allowed to marry his mother, daughter, sister, paternal aunt, maternal aunt, or a woman with whom he has suckling ties.”
- Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1406
- This Hadith lists the forbidden relationships that one cannot marry due to the close family ties.
- The Role of a Guardian (Wali) in Marriage:
“There is no marriage except with a guardian and two witnesses.”
- Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2085
- This Hadith explains the requirement of a wali (guardian) for the woman in the marriage process.
- The Importance of Financial Responsibility:
“The best of you are those who are the best to their wives.”
- Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162
- This Hadith emphasizes the financial responsibility of the husband in ensuring his wife is treated well, including providing for her needs.
- Marriage Between Muslims and Non-Muslims (People of the Book):
“[Lawful to you in marriage] are chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers.”
- Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:5 (referenced in Hadith discussions)
- This verse permits a Muslim man to marry a chaste woman from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) under certain conditions.
Summary of the References:
- Quranic References:
- Consent is essential in marriage (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:232).
- Marriage is allowed between a man and woman (Surah An-Nur, 24:32).
- Forbidden relationships for marriage are listed in Surah An-Nisa, 4:23.
- The mahr (dowry) is the woman’s right (Surah An-Nisa, 4:4).
- Hadith References:
- Consent of the woman and the guardian’s permission are required (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2085).
- Marriage is a key part of faith (Sunan Al-Bayhaqi, Hadith 15).
- Forbidden relationships for marriage are mentioned (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1406).
- The wali (guardian) is required for a valid marriage (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2085).
- A husband must be responsible and caring toward his wife (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162).
- Muslims can marry chaste women from the People of the Book (Quran, Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:5).
These references help guide who is eligible for marriage and with whom marriage is allowed in Islam, emphasizing the importance of mutual consent, the mahr (dowry), the role of the guardian, and the forbidden relationships.
