Marriage
What is Marriage in Islam?
Marriage in Islam is a sacred and important institution. It is not just a social contract but also a moral and spiritual commitment between a man and a woman. The purpose of marriage in Islam is to provide companionship, love, support, and to build a family in accordance with Islamic values.
Here’s a simple explanation of marriage in Islam:
- Marriage is a Sunnah and Blessing:
- Marriage is highly encouraged in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Marriage is my Sunnah, and whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
- It is a way to follow the teachings of the Prophet and a means to lead a fulfilling life.
- The Purpose of Marriage:
- Companionship: Marriage provides emotional support, and the relationship between husband and wife should be based on love, kindness, and mutual respect.
- Spiritual Growth: It’s a way to protect oneself from sinful behavior. Through marriage, a couple can live a halal (permissible) life, protect their chastity, and help each other grow spiritually.
- Family and Children: Marriage is a foundation for building a family. Having children and raising them with Islamic values is highly encouraged.
- Requirements for Marriage:
To get married in Islam, certain conditions must be met:
- Consent: Both the man and the woman must agree to the marriage. The marriage cannot take place if one party is unwilling.
- Mahr (Dowry): The husband must give a gift to the wife, known as mahr. This can be money or something valuable. It is a sign of respect and financial responsibility.
- Witnesses: The marriage must be witnessed by two trusted people (usually Muslims) to ensure its legitimacy.
- Proposal and Acceptance: The process usually involves a proposal from the man, and the woman’s consent to marry him.
- Rights and Responsibilities in Marriage:
- Husband’s Responsibilities: The husband is the primary provider and protector of the family. He is responsible for the financial upkeep of his wife and children, providing them with food, clothing, and shelter.
- Wife’s Responsibilities: The wife is responsible for managing the household, maintaining family harmony, and supporting her husband emotionally. She also has the right to be treated with kindness and respect.
- Mutual Rights: Both spouses have the right to be treated with love, respect, and fairness. They should help each other in matters of life, religion, and family.
- Marriage in Islam is a Contract:
- Marriage in Islam is considered a contract between the man and the woman. Both parties must fulfill their responsibilities, and either can seek dissolution of the marriage if the relationship does not fulfill its purpose.
- Polygamy in Islam:
- In Islam, men are allowed to have up to four wives, but they must treat all their wives equally in terms of financial support, love, and respect. However, it is not mandatory, and a man must ensure fairness and justice before taking another wife.
- Divorce (Talaq) in Islam:
- If a marriage doesn’t work, divorce is allowed in Islam, but it should be the last resort after all efforts of reconciliation have failed. Talaq is the process by which a husband can divorce his wife. However, it is meant to be done with care and fairness. The wife also has the right to ask for a divorce under certain conditions, known as khula.
- The Marriage Ceremony:
- The marriage ceremony itself is simple in Islam. It is not about extravagance but about the intention to live together in harmony and to please Allah.
- Nikah is the marriage contract, and once it is completed in the presence of witnesses, the marriage is official.
- The Prophet’s Advice on Marriage:
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised choosing a spouse for their religion, character, and piety. He said: “A woman is married for four reasons: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her piety. So, marry the one who is best in terms of religion (piety), and you will be successful.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Summary of Key Points:
- Marriage is encouraged and is a blessed relationship in Islam.
- The couple must agree, there must be mahr (dowry), and the marriage must be witnessed.
- Both have responsibilities towards each other, and they should treat each other with love, respect, and kindness.
- Divorce is allowed but should be a last resort.
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave advice on marriage, emphasizing the importance of piety over wealth, beauty, or lineage.
- Polygamy is allowed but must be done justly.
In Islam, marriage is not just a legal contract but a partnership to support each other both in this life and the hereafter. It’s about building a relationship based on love, mercy, and respect for each other.
Quran & Hadith References
References from the Quran
- Marriage is a Blessing and a Sign from Allah:
“And among His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.”
(Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21)
- This verse highlights the purpose of marriage: finding peace, love, and mercy between spouses.
- The Importance of Mahr (Dowry):
“And give the women [whom you marry] their due compensation, as an obligation. But if they, of their own accord, remit to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:4)
- This verse stresses the obligation of the husband to give mahr (dowry) to the wife, which is a key part of the marriage contract.
- Spouse as a Garment for One Another:
“They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:187)
- This verse explains the intimate and protective relationship between husband and wife, comparing them to clothing that shields and protects one another.
- Rights and Responsibilities in Marriage:
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their wealth (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in the husband’s absence what Allah would have them guard.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:34)
- This verse discusses the roles of the husband and wife, with the husband being the protector and provider, and the wife being a guardian of the home.
- Permissibility of Polygamy (Under Fair Treatment):
“Then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one…”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:3)
- This verse permits polygamy but emphasizes the need for justice in treating multiple wives.
References from Hadith
- Marriage is Half of Faith:
“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 importance of marriage in Islam as a significant part of a Muslim’s faith.
- Marriage is a Sunnah (Practice of the Prophet):
“Marriage is my Sunnah, and whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.”
- Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1845
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized that marriage is part of his teachings (Sunnah) and should be followed by Muslims.
- The Rights of the Wife:
“The best of you are those who are the best to their wives.”
- Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162
- This Hadith emphasizes the importance of treating wives with kindness, respect, and care.
- Importance of Choosing a Good Spouse:
“A woman is married for four things: for her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her piety. So marry the one who is best in terms of religion, and you will be successful.”
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5090
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advises choosing a spouse for their piety rather than superficial qualities.
- Marriage Should Be in the Right Manner (Nikah):
“There is no marriage except with a wali (guardian) and two witnesses.”
- Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2085
- This Hadith outlines the necessary conditions for a valid marriage contract in Islam, including the role of the guardian (wali) and witnesses.
- The Role of Polygamy:
“Whoever has two wives and he inclines to one of them more than the other, he will come on the Day of Judgment with a side that is leaning.”
- Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2134
- This Hadith warns that if a man has multiple wives, he must be just in his treatment of each one.
Summary of the References:
- Quran teaches that marriage is a source of peace, love, and mercy (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21), and it requires the husband to provide mahr (Surah An-Nisa, 4:4) and act as a protector, while the wife is a partner in guarding the home (Surah An-Nisa, 4:34).
- Hadith emphasizes marriage as part of faith (Sunan Al-Bayhaqi, Hadith 15), the importance of treating wives well (Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1162), and encourages choosing a spouse based on piety (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5090).
- The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also encouraged marriage as a Sunnah (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1845) and highlighted the importance of fairness in polygamy (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 2134).
These references show how marriage in Islam is meant to be a harmonious, loving, and responsible relationship, guided by clear ethical principles.
