Marriage

According to the Qur'an, men and women were created to be partners in life. Marriage is therefore intended to bring tranquility, love and protection for both partners. There is extensive material in both the Qur'an and the Hadith on the essential role marriage plays in the life of the faith.

Marriage is expected for all Muslims and sex should only take place within marriage. Muslims do not expect any individual to take a vow of celibacy. Muslim parents may arrange a suitable marriage partner for their children. However, the couple have to agree to their parents' choice. Love often grows between a couple as the marriage develops, rather than the couple falling in love before they enter into marriage. Forced marriages are generally not acceptable to Muslims.

The Hadith reminds Muslims:

Do not marry only for a person's looks; their beauty might become the cause of moral decline.

Do not marry for wealth, since this may become the cause of disobedience.

Marry rather on the grounds of religious devotion.

Key Actions

Marriage celebrations for Muslims are traditionally simple events performed at the bride's home and led by a respected member of the Muslim community. They tend to include the following:

The bride and groom accept each other in the presence of witnesses.
The groom hands over a marriage gift called mahr to the bride. This might be money, an item or a commitment to perform some service to validate the marriage.
Most Muslims will have a reading from the Qur'an.
There may be an exchange of vows and rings.
Those witnessing the marriage may be asked to pray for the couple, their families and the Islamic community.

For Sunni Muslim marriages, two men must witness the marriage contract. For Shi'ah Muslims, there is no requirement to have witnesses for a marriage contract to be valid.

You shall encourage those of you who are single to get married. They may marry the righteous among your male and female servants, if they are poor. God will enrich them from His grace. God is Bounteous, Knower.

(Qur’an, 24:32)

The purpose of marriage

Marriage is intended to be:

for the mutual love and support of the husband and wife

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Quran 30:21)

“They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them…” (Quran 2:187)

“It is He who created you from one soul and created from it its mate that he might dwell in security with her… ” (Quran 7:189)

for the sexual expression of love
for the conception and raising of children

“Observe justice in dealing with your children in the same manner in which you expect them to observe justice in being kind and good to you.” – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – Sahih Bukhari.

to support a stable society

“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding chastity, and whoever cannot then he should fast, for it will be a restraint (wija’) for him.'” (Sunan an-Nasa’I, 3209)

“Marriage is my sunnah, whoever does not perform my sunnah has no relation to me” - Prophet Muhammad (Refers to the rejection of the sunnah out of arrogance)

Having a Muslim marriage means that the bride and groom can understand what is expected of each other in living together and in bringing up their family. They have the support of the ummah (nation or community) to help them through the issues that all marriages may face.

Polygamy in Islamic marriage

The Qur'an allows a man to practise polygamy. A husband may have up to four wives, provided that all four are treated equally and lovingly. A woman is only allowed one husband. In most cases, however, Muslims practise monogamy.

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