MarriageinIslam

FromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopedia

InIslam,marriageisalegalcontract(LiteraryArabic:aqdal
qirn,"matrimonycontract"Urdu:/ALALC:Niknmah),(In
Persian(Farsi):(ezdevj)(=marriage)andor
(Sndeezdevjaqdnmeh)forthecertificate),betweentwopeople.Both
thegroomandthebridearetoconsenttothemarriageoftheirownfree
wills.Aformal,bindingcontractisconsideredintegraltoareligiouslyvalid
Islamicmarriage,andoutlinestherightsandresponsibilitiesofthegroom
andbride.TheremustbetwoMuslimwitnessesofthemarriagecontract.
Divorce(Arabic:Talaq)canbeeffectedthroughhusbandorthroughkhula
ispermittedandcanbeissuedbyboththebrideandgroomwithequal
rightsasperIslamiclawsandShariah.[1]

Inadditiontotheusualmarriageuntildeathordivorce,thereisadifferent
fixedtermmarriageknownaszawjalmutah("temporarymarriage")
permittedonlybytheTwelverbranchofShiaIslamforaprefixedperiod.
ThereisalsoNikahMisyar,anontemporarymarriagewiththeremovalof
someconditionspermittedbysomeSunniMuslims,whichusuallyamount
tothewifewaivingherrighttosustenancefromherhusband.

Nikah(thetermforIslamicmarriage)literallymeans"sexual
intercourse."[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]Islamistotallyopposedtomonasticismand
celibacy.[10]MarriageisanactofSunnahinIslamandisstrongly APakistanibridesigningmarriage
recommended.[10][11] certificate

Contents
1 History
1.1 PreIslamicArabia
1.1.1 Marriagebyagreement
1.1.2 Marriagebycapture
1.1.3 MarriagebyMahr
1.1.4 Marriagebyinheritance
2 ReformsafterIslam
3 Conditions
3.1 Prerequisites
3.2 Rightsandobligationsofspouses
3.3 Mahr,dowryandgifts
4 Marriagecontractsandforced/unconsentedmarriages
4.1 Internationalhumanrightsresponses
5 Divorce
6 Relationshipswhichprohibitmarriage
7 Prohibitedmarriages
7.1 Prohibitionsbasedonconsanguinity
7.2 Prohibitionsbasedonsuckling
7.3 Prohibitionsbasedonmarriage
7.4 Prohibitionbasedonreligion
 7.5 Prohibitedmarriagepartners
8 Polygamy
8.1 Sororalpolygynyprohibited
9 Iddah
10 Seealso
11 References
12 Externallinks

History
PreIslamicArabia

InPreIslamicArabiaavarietyofdifferentmarriagepracticesexisted.Themostcommonandrecognizedtypesof
marriageatthistimeconsistedof:marriagebyagreement,marriagebycapture,marriagebymahr,marriageby
inheritanceand"Mot'a"ortemporarymarriage.[12]

PriortoIslam,intheArabworld,womencouldnotmakedecisionsbasedontheirownbeliefs,andhadlittle
controlovertheirmarriages.Theywereneverboundbycontractformarriageorcustodyofchildrenandtheir
consentwasneversought.Womenwereseldomallowedtodivorcetheirhusbandsandtheirviewwasnotregarded
foreitheramarriageordivorce.[13]Iftheygotdivorced,womenwerenotlegallyallowedtogobytheirmaiden
nameagain.[13]Theycouldnotownorinheritpropertyorobjects,eveniftheywerefacingpovertyorharshliving
conditions.[14]Womenweretreatedlesslikepeopleandmorelikepossessionsofmen.They,however,couldbe
inheritedandmovedfromhometohomedependingonthewantsandneedsoftheirhusbandandhisfamily.
Essentially,womenwereslavestomenandmadenodecisionsonanything,whetheritbesomethingthatdirectly
impactedthemornot.Iftheirhusbanddied,hissonfromapreviousmarriagewasentitledtohiswifeiftheson
wantedher.Thewomanhadnochoiceinthematterunlessshewasabletopayhimforfreedom,whichwas,in
mostcases,impossible.[14]

Oneofthemostextraordinarypracticesthattookplacewasthatifahusbanddied,hissoncouldinherithiswife
(hisownmother)tobehisownwife.Marriagebyinheritance,andincestuousrelationshipsbetweenasonandhis
ownmotherwas"awidespreadcustomthroughoutArabia,includingMedinaandMecca".[12]Ifthesonofa
deceasedhusband(hisdeceasedfather)didnotwanthiswife(ownmother),thewomanwasforcedtoleaveher
homeandliveinahutforoneyear.Thehutthatthewomenlivedinwaskeptdarkwithverypooraircirculation.
Afteroneyear,thewomanwasallowedtocomeoutofthehut,andpeoplewerepermittedtoheavecamel
excrementather.PeopleinMakkawouldblameherforrefusingtosleepwithherownson.[15]

In586ADwomenwereacknowledgedtobehuman.[16]Althoughthisappearstobeachangeinthestatusof
womeninArabia,theywereonlyacknowledgedashumanwiththesolepurposeofservingmen.[16]Theywere
consideredhuman,butwerenotgiventhesamerightsasmenandwerenottreatedequallyinrespecttomen.In
fact,itwascommonforanewfathertobeoutrageduponlearningthathisbabywasafemale.Itwasbelievedthat
thebirthofagirlwasabadomen,andmenthoughtthatdaughterswouldbringdisgracetothefamily.[14]Because
babygirlswerethoughttobeevil,manyofthemweresoldorburiedalive.[14]

Marriagebyagreement
ThefirstofthefourcommonmarriagesthatexistedinpreIslamicArabia
wasmarriagebyagreement.Thisconsistedofanagreementbetweenaman
andhisfuturewife'sfamily.Thismarriagecouldbewithinthetribeor
betweentwofamiliesofdifferenttribes.

Somewomenwereforbiddenfrommarryingoutsideoftheirtribeandhad
toeithermarryanothermemberofthetribeorastrangerwhowouldagree
tolivewiththetribe.
HennaonaMuslimbride'shands,
Inthecasethatinvolvedamanandwomanoftwodifferenttribes,the TamilNadu,India.
womanwouldleaveherfamilyandpermanentlyresidewithherhusband.
Thechildrenofthesemarriageswereconsideredpartoftheirfather'stribe,
unlessadifferentarrangementhadpreviouslybeenmadewhichreturnedthechildrentotheirmother'stribe.

Thereasonforintertribalmarriageswastoensuretheprotectionandpossessionofthechildrenthecouplewould
produce.[17]Womeninintertribalmarriageshadmorefreedomandretainedtherighttodismissordivorcetheir
husbandsatanytime.Thewomenhadpreciseritualstheyusedtoinformtheirhusbandsoftheirdismissal,suchas
this:"iftheylivedinatenttheyturneditaround,sothatifthedoorfacedeast,itnowfacedwest,andwhenthe
mansawthis,heknewthathewasdismissedanddidnotenter".[18]

Marriagebycapture

ThesecondofthecommonmarriagepracticesthatexistedinpreIslamicArabiawasmarriagebycapture("Ba'al"
inArabic).Mostoftentakingplaceduringtimesofwar,marriagebycaptureoccurredwhenwomenweretaken
captivebymenfromothertribesandplacedontheslavemarketofMecca.Fromtheslavemarketthesewomen
weresoldintomarriageorslavery.Incaptivemarriages,menboughttheirwivesandhadcompletecontrolover
them.Womeninthesemarriageshadnofreedomandweresubjectedtofollowingtheirhusbands'orders.These
womenbecametheirhusbands'propertyandhadnorighttodivorceordismissaloftheirhusbands.Theythus
completelylostanyfreedomtheymaypreviouslyhavehad.Herhusbandhadabsoluteauthorityoverher,including
theexclusiverighttodivorce.Thehusbandsinthesemarriageswereclassifiedastheirwives'lordsorownersand
hadcompletecontroltohiswifeandheractions.[17]

MarriagebyMahr

ThethirdofthecommonmarriagepracticesthatexistedinpreIslamicArabiawas"marriagebyMahr."Thiswasa
moretraditionalmarriagepractice.Thesemarriagesconsistedofthegroomorgroom'sfatherpayingthebride
"Mahr",tomarrythem.(MahrisveryimportantinIslamicmarriage.Allahhasusedthewordfaridahforit.It
meanssomethingfixed,decidedandobligatory.Itisobligatoryonthehusbandtopaymahrtohiswifeunlessshe
expresslybyherownwillwithoutanypressureforgiveshimorreturnstheamountofmahrtohim.Mahrbelongs
tothewifeanditistobegiventoheronly.Itisnotthepropertyofherparentsorherguardian.Noonecanforgive
thehusbandtopaytheMahrexceptthewifeherselfor,incaseshedidnotgotoherhusbandandthemarriage
endedwithoutconsummation,theninthatsituationherguardiancanalsoforgivethemahronherbehalf.Ifa
husbanddieswithoutpayingmahrtohiswife,itwillbeanoutstandingdebtonhimanditmustbepaidbeforethe
distributionofhisinheritanceamonghisheirs.Ithelpsthewomenduringthetimeofdivorce).[17]

Marriagebyinheritance

ThefourthofthecommonmarriagepracticesthatexistedinpreIslamicArabiawas"marriagebyinheritance".
Whenamandied,hissoninheritedallhiswivesexcepthisownmother.Such"marriage"was"awidespread
customthroughoutArabia,includingMedinaandMecca".[12]Thispracticealsoinvolvedthepossessionsofa
deceasedman'swifebeingpassedtohisson.Insuchacase,thesoncouldkeephisfather'sotherwivesforhimself
orarrangetheabovedescribedmarriagesbyMahr.Inthesecases,asinthemajorityofmarriagepracticesatthis
time,thewomanhadfewornorightsandwasrequiredtofollowtheordersofherinheritor.[17]

ReformsafterIslam
Muhammadhadreformedthelawsandproceduresofthecommonmarriagepracticesthatexistedduringhis
prophethood.Therulesof"marriagebyagreement(marriagethroughconsent)"and"marriagebycapture"were
reformedandastrictsetofrulesandregulationswereputinplace.Thepracticesof"marriagebyinheritance"was
forbidden.SeveralchaptersandversesfromtheQuranwererevealedwhichbannedsuchpractices.[19]

UndertheArabianpreIslamiclaw,nolimitationsweresetonmen'srights
tomarryortoobtainadivorce.[20]Islamiclaw,however,restricted
polygamy([Quran4:3(https://quran.com/4:3)])[21]Theinstitutionofmarriage,
characterizedbyunquestionedmalesuperiorityinthepreIslamiclawof
status,wasredefinedandchangedintooneinwhichthewomanwas
somewhatofaninterestedpartner.'Forexample,thedowry,previously
regardedasabridepricepaidtothefather,becameanuptialgiftretained Hadithaboutmarriage
bythewifeaspartofherpersonalproperty'[20][21]UnderIslamiclaw,
marriagewasnolongerviewedasa"status"butratherasa"contract".Theessentialelementsofthemarriage
contractwerenowanofferbytheman,anacceptancebythewoman,andtheperformanceofsuchconditionsas
thepaymentofdowry.Thewoman'sconsentwasimperative.Furthermore,theofferandacceptancehadtobe
madeinthepresenceofatleasttwowitnesses.[20][21][22]Amarriedwomanalsohadrightsoverthehusbandas
statedbyMuhammadthat"Youhaveyourrightsuponyourwivesandtheyhavetheirrightsuponyou.Yourright
isthattheyshallnotallowanyoneyoudislike,totrampleyourbedanddonotpermitthosewhomyoudisliketo
enteryourhome.Theirrightisthatyoushouldtreatthemwellinthematteroffoodandclothing."[23]

Conditions
Islamicmarriagesrequireacceptance,inArabic:qubl,ofthegroom,thebride[24][25]andtheconsentofthe
custodian(wali)ofthebride.ThecontractofanIslamicmarriageisconcludedbetweentheguardian(wali)ofthe
brideandbridegroom,notbetweenbridegroomandbride.Thewaliofthebrideisnormallyamalerelativeofthe
bride,preferablyherfather.Theguardian(wali)ofthebridecanonlybeafreeMuslim.[26]Thebrideisnormally
presentatthesigningofthemarriagecontract,butthisisnotmandatory.

TheWalimujbir(Arabic:)isatechnicaltermofIslamiclawwhichdenotestheguardianofabride.In
traditionalIslam,theliteraldefinitionof"wali",whichmeans"custodian"or"protector",isused.Inthiscontext,it
ismeantthatthesilenceofthebrideisconsideredconsent.InmostschoolsofIslamiclaw,onlythefatherorthe
paternalgrandfatherofthebridecanbewalimujbir.[26]

Iftheconditionsaremetandamahrandcontractareagreedupon,anIslamicmarriageceremony,orwedding,can
takeplace.Nowadaysthemaritalcontractisalsooftensignedbythebride,whereastechnicallyitonlyrequires
verbalagreementbybothparties,waliandbridegroom.Theconsentofthebrideismandatoryeventhoughinsome
areasoftheworldthelocalculturedictatesitasnotrequiredifherwali,herfatherorherpaternalgrandfather(wali
mujbir),agreestothemarriage.Hadith[27]TheIslamicmarriageisthendeclaredpublicly,inArabic:,aa'laan,
byaresponsiblepersonafterdeliveringasermontocounselandguidethecouple.Itisnotrequired,though
customary,thatthepersonmarryingthecoupleshouldbereligiouslyqualified.Thebridegroomcandeliverthe
sermonhimselfinthepresenceofrepresentativesofbothsidesifheisreligiouslyeducated,asthestorygoesabout
ImamMuhammadbinAliaround829ADandrecentlyinKashmirin2013ADbyMuhammadAsifbinAlimore
thanelevencenturieslater.Itistypicallyfollowedbyacelebratoryreceptioninlinewiththecouple'sorlocal
customs,whichcouldeitherlastacoupleofhoursorprecedetheweddingandconcludeseveraldaysafterthe
ceremony.

TheQur'antellsbelieversthateveniftheyarepoortheyshouldmarrytoprotectthemselvesfromimmorality[28]
[Quran24:33(https://quran.com/24:33)].TheQuranassertsthatmarriageisalegitimatewaytosatisfyone'ssexual

desire.[29]Islamrecognizesthevalueofsexandcompanionshipandadvocatesmarriageasthefoundationfor
familiesandchannelingthefulfillmentofabaseneed.Marriageishighlyvaluedandregardedasbeinghalfof
one'sfaith,accordingtoasayingofMuhammad.Whethermarriageisobligatoryormerelyallowedhasbeen
exploredbyseveralscholars,andagreedthat"Ifapersonhasthemeanstomarryandhasnofearofmistreatinghis
wifeorofcommittingtheunlawfulifhedoesmarry,thenmarriageinhiscaseismustahabb(preferred)."[30]

Prerequisites

TheQur'anoutlinessomeconditionsforamarriagetotakeplace:[Quran4:24(https://quran.com/4:24)]

Amarriageshouldbeconductedthroughacontractandamandatorysumofwealthprovidedtothebride,
whichherereferstothemahr.Onceamahrhasbeenascertainedwiththerealizationthatitisanobligation
ofaMuslimhusband,thegroomisrequiredtopayittothebrideatthetimeofmarriageunlessheandhis
bridecanmutuallyagreetodelaythetimeofsomeofitspayment.In2003,RubyaMehdipublishedan
articleinwhichthecultureofmahramongMuslimswasthoroughlyreviewed.Thereisnoconceptof
dowry[31]assuchinIslam,althoughmahrisoftentranslatedintoEnglishasdowryinthewantofamore
accurateword.Adowryassuchisapaymenttothegroomfromthebride'sfamily,andisnotanIslamic
practicebutborrowedfromotherreligionsintosomeMuslimcultures,notablyintheIndianSubcontinent.
Bridepricesarealsoexpresslyprohibited.
Anotherrequisiteofmarriageischastity.Nofornicatorhastherighttomarryachastepartnerexceptifthe
twopurifythemselvesofthissinbysincererepentance.[32][33]
MarriageispermittedforamanwithachastewomaneitherMuslimorfromthePeopleoftheBook(Arabic
AhlalKitab,Jews,SabiansandChristians)butnottopolytheists(or"idolaters":Yusufalitranslationor
"idolatresses":Pickthaltranslation).Forwomen,marriagetoJews,SabiansandChristiansandtopolytheists
(Idolatry)(or"idolaters":Yusufalitranslationor"disbelievers":Pickthalltranslation)isprohibitedtheyare
onlyallowedtomarryMuslims.[34][35]ThereisnoexpressprohibitionintheQur'anorelsewhereabouta
Muslimwomanmarryingakitabi(PeopleoftheBook).However,thevastmajorityofMuslimjuristsargued
thatsinceexpresspermissionwasgiventomen,byimplicationwomenmustbeprohibitedfromdoingthe
same.[36]ThemovementofIslamicjuristsandimamsthatdonotagreeonthisinterpretationisgrowing.[37]
Spokenconsentofthewomanisonlyrequiredifsheisnotavirginandherwaliisneitherherfathernorher
paternalgrandfather.Butavirginmaynotbemarriedoffwithoutherpermission.Ifsheistooshytoexpress
heropinionhersilencewillbeconsideredasimplicitagreement[AlBukhari:6968].Thewali,whocanforce
abrideagainstheroutspokenwillintomarriage,iscalledwalimujbir,accordingto"TheEncyclopaediaof
Islam".Ifthewomanwasforcedintoamarriage,withouttheabovementionedconditions,accordingtothe
HanafischoolofIslamiclawthedecisioncanberevoked,whenthebridecomesofage.[38][39]Binti
Khudhamsaysthatwhenshebecameawidowherfathersolemnizedhermarriage.Shedidnotlikethe
decisionsoshewenttoMuhammad,whogaveherpermissiontorevokehermarriage.[40]Hence,forced
marriagesareagainstIslamicteachingsifthewomanisavirgin,andthoseforcedintomarriagesbeforethey
havecomeofagehavetherighttocontestthemoncetheydo.[41]
Theimportanceofthewaliisdebatedbetweenthedifferentschoolsofthought.TotheHanafiSunnis,amale
guardianisnotrequiredforthebridetobecomemarried,evenifitisherfirstmarriage.Therefore,the
marriagecontractissignedbetweenthebrideandthegroom,notthegroomandthewali.TotheHanbali,
Shafi'i,andMalikiSunnischools,awaliisrequiredinorderforavirginalwomantomarry.Intheseschools,
 ifawomanhasbeendivorced,shebecomesherownguardiananddoesnotneedawalitosignamarriage
contract.[42]

Rightsandobligationsofspouses

AccordingtoIslam,bothmenandwomanhaverightsovereachotherwhentheyenterintoamarriagecontract[43]
withthehusbandservingasprotectorandsupporterofthefamilymostofthetime,fromhismeans.[Quran4:34(http
s://quran.com/4:34)]Thisguardianshiphastwoaspectsforbothpartners:

Thehusbandisfinanciallyresponsibleforthewelfareandmaintenanceofhiswifeorwivesandanychildren
theyproduce,toincludeataminimum,providingahome,foodandclothing.Inreturn,itisthedutyofthe
wifetosafeguardthehusband'spossessionsandprotecthowwealthisspent.Ifthewifehaswealthinher
owncapacitysheisnotobligedtospendituponthehusbandorchildren,asshecanownpropertyandassets
inherownright,sothehusbandhasnorightforherpropertyandassetsexceptbyherwill.Apremarital
agreementofthefinancialexpectationfromthehusbandisinthemahr,givenbyhimtothewifeforher
exclusiveuse,whichisincludedaspartofhisfinancialresponsibility.

Severalcommentatorshavestatedthatthesuperiorityofahusbandoverhiswifeisrelative,andtheobedienceof
thewifeisalsorestrictive.[44]TheQuranadvisesmenthatiftheyarecertainofarebelliousattitudebythewoman,
theyshouldfirstadmonishher,thenrefusetosharebeds,andfinallybeat("darab")her,accordingtoQur'an4:34.
(TodaymostIslamicscholarsagreethatitbewithoutleavingamarkandnotontheface).Thisreferstoserious
breachesofbehavioursuchasbeingpromiscuousaccordingtorenowned20thcenturyscholarMuhammad
Hamidullahwhichisnotexpectedfromadutifulwife,andnotforsimpledisobediencetothehusband.In
explainingthis,IbnAbbasgivesanexampleofstrikingwithatoothstick.

Womenarealsoremindedthatincasethehusbandisnotfulfillinghisresponsibilities,thereisnostigmaonthem
inseekingdivorce.[Quran4:128(https://quran.com/4:128)]TheQuranreemphasizesthatjusticeforthewomanincludes
emotionalsupport,andremindsmenthattherecanbenotakingbackofthemahrorbridalgiftsgiventowomen.In
unfortunatecaseswheretheagreementwastopostponepaymentofthemahr,somehusbandswillbullytheirwives
andinsistonthereturnofwhathegaveherinordertoagreetothedissolutionofthemarriage,thisisunIslamic
andcruel."Wherethehusbandhasbeenabusiveorneglectfulofhisresponsibilities,hedoesnothavetherightto
takehiswifespropertyinexchangeforherfreedomfromhim.Unfortunatelymostcouplesrefusetogotothe
judgeandbindingarbitrationfortheseissueseventhoughtheQuransays:

"Andifyoufearabreachbetweenthem,thenappointanarbiterfromhisfolkandanarbiterfromher
folk.Ifthey(thearbiters)desirereconciliation,Allahwillaffectitbetweenthem.Surely,AllahisAll
Knowing,AllAware."[4:36]

Mahr,dowryandgifts

Mahr(donatiopropternuptias[45])differsfromamarriagedowryorgiftinWesterncountries,inthatitis
mandatoryforaMuslimmarriageandispaidbythegroomtothebride.Theamountofmoneyorpossessionsof
themahrispaidbythegroomtothebrideatthetimeofmarriageforherexclusiveuse.[46]Themahrdoesnothave
tobemoney,butitmusthavemonetaryvalue.Therefore"itcannotbelove,honesty,beingfaithful,etc.,whichare
anywaytraitsofrighteouspeople."[47]Ifthemarriagecontractfailstocontainanexact,specifiedmahr,the
husbandmuststillpaythewifeajudiciallydeterminedsum.[48]
MahrismentionedseveraltimesintheQuranandHadith,andthereisnomaximumlimittotheamountthegroom
maypayasmahr,[49]butataminimumitisanamountthatwouldbesufficientforthewomantobeabletosurvive
independentlyifherhusbanddiesortheydivorce.

Thetermdowry(Latin,dosdotis)isinaccurateasstrictlyspeakingitisthemoney,goods,orestatethatawoman
bringsforthtothemarriage,usuallyprovidedbyherparentsorfamily.InIslam,bridepricesanddowriesare
forbidden.Anyassetsbroughtintotheunionbythewifemayonlybeacceptedbythehusbandafterthemahrhas
beenpaidbyhimtoher.

Withpriormutualagreement,themahrmayalsobepaidinpartstothebridewithanamountgivenbythegroom
tothebrideatthesigningofthemarriagecontract,alsocalledamu'qadamm(inArabic:,literallytranslated
asforepartpresented),andthelaterportionpostponedtoadateduringthemarriage,alsocalledamu'akhaar(in
Arabic:,literallytranslatedasdelayed).VariousRomanizedtransliterationsofmu'qadammandmu'akhaar
areaccepted.Suchanagreementdoesnotmakethefullamountofthemahranylesslegallyrequired,noristhe
husband'sobligationtofulfilltheagreementwaivedorlessenedwhilehefulfillshisobligationstoreasonably
house,feed,orcloththewife(andanychildrenproducedfromtheunion)duringthemarriage.[50]

Quran[4:4]"Youshallgivethewomentheirduedowries,equitably."[47]

Quran[5:5]"Today,allgoodfoodismadelawfulforyou.Thefoodofthepeopleofthescriptureislawfulforyou.
Also,youmaymarrythechastewomenamongthebelievers,aswellasthechastewomenamongthefollowersof
previousscripture,providedyoupaythemtheirduedowries.Youshallmaintainchastity,notcommittingadultery,
nortakingsecretlovers.Anyonewhorejectsfaith,allhisworkwillbeinvain,andintheHereafterhewillbewith
thelosers."[47]

Quran[60:10]"Oyouwhobelieve,whenbelievingwomen(abandontheenemyand)askforasylumwithyou,you
shalltestthem.GODisfullyawareoftheirbelief.Onceyouestablishthattheyarebelievers,youshallnotreturn
themtothedisbelievers.Theyarenotlawfultoremainmarriedtothem,norshallthedisbelieversbeallowedto
marrythem.Givebackthedowriesthatthedisbelievershavepaid.Youcommitnoerrorbymarryingthem,solong
asyoupaythemtheirduedowries.Donotkeepdisbelievingwives(iftheywishtojointheenemy).Youmayask
themforthedowryyouhadpaid,andtheymayaskforwhattheypaid.ThisisGOD'sruleHerulesamongyou.
GODisOmniscient,MostWise."[47]

Marriagecontractsandforced/unconsentedmarriages
Themarriagecontractisconcludedbetweenthewali,orguardian,ofthebrideandbridegroom,notbetween
bridegroomandbride.ThewaliofthebridecanonlybeafreeMuslim.Thewaliofthebrideisnormallyamale
relativeofthebride,preferablyherfather.Ifthebrideisavirgin,thewalimujbir,thatisherfatherorpaternal
grandfather,cannotforcethebrideintothemarriageagainstherproclaimedwillaccordingtomostscholars.
AccordingtoKhomeini[51]andAlialSistani,[52]bothShiascholars(bothhavingthedegreesmujtahidandmarja'),
andalsoalmostallcontemporaryscholars,themarriageisinvalidwithoutbride'sfreeconsentandnoobligation
canmakemarriageofficialandlegal.[53][54][55][56][57][58]

ThenotableexampletothisistheHanafischool(thelargestofthefourclassicalschoolsofIslamicthought),
whichholdsthatabride'spermissionisrequiredifshehasreachedpuberty.Theyalsoholdthatifabridewas
forcedintomarriagebeforereachingpubertythenuponattainingpuberty,shehastheoptiontonullifythe
marriageifshewishes.Awaliotherthanthefatherorthepaternalgrandfatherofthebride,thencalledwali
mukhtar,needstheconsentofthebrideaccordingtothemajorityofscholars.Ifthebrideissilentabouttheissue,
i.e.herwaliexpressedhisintentiontomarryherofftoacertainman,andshedidnotobjecttoitthenconsentis
assumedviaherlackofobjection.[59]
ForallschoolsofIslamicjurisprudencethesystematizationoftheirschoolistheguidelinefortheirdecision,not
singlehadiths,thatliberalMuslimsoftencite.Twoofthesehadithsarethefollowing:

AbuHurayrahreportedthattheProphetsaid:"Anonvirginwomanmaynotbemarriedwithouthercommand,and
avirginmaynotbemarriedwithoutherpermissionanditispermissionenoughforheristoremainsilent
(becauseofhernaturalshyness)."[AlBukhari:6455,Muslim&Others].

ItisreportedinahadiththatA'ishahrelatedthatsheaskedtheProphet:"Inthecaseofayounggirlwhoseparents
marryheroff,shouldherpermissionbesoughtornot?"Hereplied:"Yes,shemustgiveherpermission."Shethen
said:"Butavirginwouldbeshy,OMessengerofAllaah!"Hereplied:"Hersilenceis[consideredas]her
permission."[AlBukhari,Muslim,&Others][60]^

Source:'AlMasaailAlMaardeeniyyah'by:ImaamIbnTaymiyyah.

Internationalhumanrightsresponses

ChildreninsomeMuslimsubcultureswhodefytheirparents'wishesmayinpractice,sufferpenaltiessupported
bythecommunity.Internationalawareness,campaignsandorganizationssuchastheU.K.'sForcedMarriageUnit
(http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelandlivingabroad/whenthingsgowrong/forcedmarriage/)haverecognizedthe
severityofthishumanrightsissueandtheirrescueandsupportservicesextendbeyondthebordersofU.K.
territories.Somecountrieshaveinstitutedprisontimeforparentswhotrytocoercetheirchildrenintosuch
unions.[61]

Divorce
DivorceinIslamcantakeavarietyofforms,someinitiatedbythehusbandandsomeinitiatedbythewife.The
theoryandpracticeofdivorceintheIslamicworldhavevariedaccordingtotimeandplace.[62]Historically,the
rulesofdivorceweregovernedbysharia,asinterpretedbytraditionalIslamicjurisprudence,andtheydiffered
dependingonthelegalschool.[63]Historicalpracticesometimesdivergedfromlegaltheory.[63]Inmoderntimes,as
personalstatus(family)lawswerecodified,theygenerallyremained"withintheorbitofIslamiclaw",butcontrol
overthenormsofdivorceshiftedfromtraditionaljuriststothestate.[62]

Relationshipswhichprohibitmarriage
IncertainsectionsofthepreIslamicArabtradition,thesoncouldinherithisdeceasedfather'sotherwives(i.e.not
hisownmother)asawife.TheQur'anprohibitedthispractice.

Marriagebetweenpeoplerelatedinsomewayissubjecttoprohibitionsbasedonthreekindsofrelationship.[64]
Thefollowingprohibitionsaregivenfromthemaleperspectiveforbrevitytheanalogouscounterpartsapplyfrom
thefemaleperspectivee.g.,for"aunt"read"uncle".

Prohibitedmarriages
QuranStates

Oyewhobelieve!Itisnotlawfulforyoutoinheritwomenforcefully
 (AlQuran4:19)

Anddon'tmarrywomentowhomyoufatherhasevermarriedexcept
whathaspassed.Indeeditwaslewdness,disbelief,andabadway.
Prohibitedtoyouareyourmothers,yourdaughters,yoursisters,your
paternalaunts,yourmaternalaunts,brother'sdaughters,sister's
daughters,yourmothersthatarethosewhosuckledyou,yoursisters
fromsuckling,mothersofyourwomen,yourstepdaughtersinyour
guardianshipfromyourwomenyouhaveentereduponbutifyou
havenotentereduponthemthenthereisnoblameonyou,womenof
yoursonsfromyourloins,andthatadditionoftwosisters(ina
wedlock)exceptwhathaspassed.SurelyGodisAllforgivingAll
merciful.
Abridesigningthenikah
nama(marriagecertificate)
(AlQuran4:2223)

Prohibitionsbasedonconsanguinity

Sevenrelationsareprohibitedbecauseofconsanguinityi.e.kinshiporrelationshipbyblood,viz.mothers,
daughters,sisters,paternalaunts,maternalauntsandnieces(whethersister'sorbrother'sdaughters).Inthiscase,
nodistinctionismadebetweenfullandhalfrelations,bothbeingequallyprohibited.Distinctionishowevermade
withsteprelationsi.e.whereboththebiologicalmotherandfatherofacouplewishingtomarryareseparate
individualsforbothparties,inwhichcaseitispermitted.Theword"mother"alsoconnotesthe"fathersmother"
and"mothersmother"allthewayup.Likewisetheword"daughter"alsoincludesthe"sonsdaughter"and
"daughtersdaughter"allthewaydown.Thesisterofthematernalgrandfatherandofthepaternalgrandmother
(greataunts)arealsoincludedonequalbasisintheapplicationofthedirective.[65]

Prohibitionsbasedonsuckling

MarriagetowhataresometimesdescribedasfosterrelationsinEnglisharenotpermitted,althoughtheconceptof
"fosterage"isnotthesameasisimpliedbytheEnglishword.Therelationshipisthatformedbysucklingfromthe
breastofawetnurse.Thisiswhatismeantby"fosterage"inIslaminthequotationbelow.InIslam,theinfantis
regardedashavingthesamedegreeofaffinitytothewetnurseasinconsanguinity,sowhenthechildgrowsup
marriageisprohibitedtothoserelatedtothewetnursebythesamedegreeasiftothechild'sownmother.

Hadithreportsconfirmthatfosteragedoesnothappenbyachancesuckling,itreferstothefirsttwoyearsofa
child'slifebeforeitisweaned[66][67][68][69]Islahiwritesthat"thisrelationshipisestablishedonlywiththefull
intentofthoseinvolved.Itonlycomesintobeingafteritisplannedandiswellthoughtof".[70]

Prohibitionsbasedonmarriage

Thedaughterinlawisprohibitedforthefather,andthemotherinlaw,thewifesdaughter,thewifessisterand
daughtersofthewife'ssiblings(nieces),thematernalandpaternalauntsofthewifeareallprohibitedforthe
husband.However,theseareconditionalprohibitions:

1.Onlythedaughterofthatwifeisprohibitedwithwhomonehashadconjugalcontact.
2.Onlythedaughterinlawofarealsonisprohibited.
3.Thesisterofawife,hermaternalandpaternalauntsandherbrother'sorsister'sdaughters(nieces)areonly
prohibitedifthewifeisinwedlockwiththehusband.[71]
Prohibitionbasedonreligion

Quranstates"Donotmarry(yourgirls)tounbelieversuntiltheybelieve:Amanslavewhobelievesisbetterthan
anunbeliever,eventhoughhealluresyou.Unbelieversdo(but)beckonyoutotheFire.ButGodbeckonsbyHis
GracetotheGarden(ofbliss)andforgiveness,andmakesHisSignscleartomankind:ThattheymaycelebrateHis
praise."(AlQuran2:221)

Oyewhobelieve!Whentherecometoyoubelievingwomenrefugees,examine(andtest)them:Godknowsbest
astotheirFaith:ifyeascertainthattheyareBelievers,thensendthemnotbacktotheUnbelievers.Theyarenot
lawfulwivesfortheUnbelievers,noraretheUnbelieverslawfulhusbandsforthem.(AlQuran60:10)

neverwillAllahgivethedisbelieversoverthebelieversaway[toovercomethem].(AlQuran4:141)

itisnotlawfulbyAllahAlmightyforMuslimwomentomarrynonMuslimmenofanyfaith.(Quran2:22160:104:141)
butItislawfulforMuslimmentomarryonlyJewishorChristianwomen.(Quran5:5)

Prohibitedmarriagepartners
Marriagebetweenpeopleofthesamesex
Marriagebetweenamanandhissister,halfsister,fostersister,mother,stepmother,fostermother,wife's
mother,aunt,grandmother,greataunt,greatgrandmother,etc.
Marriagebetweenawomanandherfather,stepfather(unlesshismarriagetohermotherwasnot
consummated),husband'sbiologicalfather,uncle,grandfather,greatuncle,greatgrandfather,etc.
Marriageofamanwithwomenwhoaresistersorstepsistersorfostersistersofeachother(exceptif
marryingonewhowasseparatedfromherhusbandbydivorceordeath)

Note:Marriagebetweencousinsisnotprohibited.

Polygamy
Accordingtosharialaw,Muslimsareallowedtopracticepolygyny.AccordingtotheQur'an,amanmayhaveup
tofourlegalwivesatanyonetime.

Thehusbandisrequiredtotreatallwivesequally.Ifamanfearsthathewillnotbeabletomeettheseconditions
thenheisnotallowedmorethanonewife.

"Ifhefearsthatheshallnotbeabletodealjustlywiththeorphans,marrywomenofyourchoice,two,orthree,or
fourbutifhefearthatheshallnotbeabletodealjustly(withthem),thenonlyone,orthatwhichyourrighthands
possess.Thatwillbemoresuitable,topreventyoufromdoinginjustice."(Qur'an4:3)YusufAlitranslation.

Abridetobemayincludetermsinhermarriagecontractthatrequiremonogamyforherhusbandorrequireher
consentbeforehemarriesanotherwife.

Polyandryisforbidden.Awomancannothavemorethanonehusbandatatime.

Sororalpolygynyprohibited

Sororalpolygynyisforbidden.Amancannotmarry:

twosisters
awomanandadescendantofhersibling
 awomanandsiblingofherancestor

Iddah
Awomancannotmarryafterdivorceordeathofherhusbandforacertainperiod.Thisperiodisknownasiddah.

Adivorceecannotmarryforthreemenstrualcyclesafterdivorce
Adivorceewhohasnocoursescannotmarryforthreemonths
Apregnantwomencannotmarryuntillayingherburden
AwidowcannotremarryforFourmonthsandtendays

Seealso
Beenamarriage,apreIslamicformofmarriage.
ChildMarriageandReligionofIslam,(ProtectingHumanRightsofChildrenandWomen).
Divorce(Islamic),unilateraldivorceatthebehestofthehusband.
Iddah,aperiodfollowingdivorceorthedeathofahusbandduringwhichawomanmaynotmarry.
Islamicadoptionaljurisprudence
Islamicmaritaljurisprudence.
Islamicmaritalpractices.
Islamicsexualjurisprudence.
Islamicviewofmarriage.
Islamicviewsonprostitution.
Islamicviewsonslaveryandconcubinage.
Jihadalnikah.
Kafa'ah,compatibilityofprospectivespouses.
Khula,"extraction"adissolutionofmarriageatbehestofwife.
Mamalakataymanukum,slavery,sexandlimitationsonforcedsex.
Mahr,mandatorypaymentpaidbythegroomtothebrideatthetimeofmarriageaconceptoverlapping
withdowry.
Minangkabaumarriage,marriagepracticesofWestSumatra,Indonesia.
Nafaqah,"expense"financialobligationsofthehusband.
NikahHalala,themarriageofawomantoasecondmanafteratripletalaq(divorce).
NikahIjtimah,apreIslamicformofmarriage.
NikahMisyar,amarriagepracticeinSunniIslam.
NikahmutahorZawjmutah,"pleasuremarriage"afixedtermmarriageinShiaIslam,alsoknownas
sigehorsighehinIran.
Nikah'urfi,a"customary"SunniMuslimmarriagecontract.
PolygamyinIslam.
Rada(fiqh),prohibitedmarriageduetofosterage(Islamic)orsuckling.
RightsandobligationsofspousesinIslam.
Walima,amarriagebanquetofferedbythegroomthedayafterthesigningofthemarriagecontract.
WivesofMuhammad.
WomeninIslam.

References
1.Hasso,FrancesS.(2011)."ConsumingDesires:Family
CrisisandtheStateintheMiddleEast".Stanford
UniversityPress.ISBN9780804761567.
2.CyrilGlasse.TheNewEncyclopediaofIslam:Third
Edition,Altamira,2001
3.FrancisJ.Steingass.EnglishArabicDictionary:For
theUseofBothTravellersandStudents.W.H.Allen,
1882
4.FedericoCorriente,ADictionaryofAndalusiArabic,
BRILL,1997,p.539
 5.DennisRoberts.Islam,Aconciseintroduction.Harper
&Row,1982,p.143
6.ZibaMirHosseini,Marriageontrial:Islamicfamily
lawinIranandMorocco,I.B.Tauris,2001,p.20
7.VincentJ.Cornell(2007),Voicesoflife:family,home,
andsociety.p.59(MarriageinIslambyNargisVirani).
8.RonakHusni,DanielL.Newman.Muslimwomenin
lawandsociety:annotatedtranslationofalTahiral
Haddad.p.182
9.TheRisalaof'AbdullahibnAbiZaydalQayrawani
(310/922386/996)ATreatiseonMalikiFiqh
(IncludingcommentaryfromathThamradDanibyal
Azhari)(http://bewley.virtualave.net/Rismarr.html)Ch.
32
10."ImportanceofMarriageinIslam".alislam.org.
Retrieved10June2015.
11."IsMarriagetheProphet'sSunnah?".onislam.net.
Retrieved22September2015.
12.Shah,N.(2006).Women,TheKoranandInternational
HumanRightsLaw.MartinusNijhoffPublishers.pp.
32.ISBN9004152377.
13.Esposito,John(2002).WhatEveryoneNeedsToKnow
AboutIslam.OxfordPress.p.80.
14."WomeninthePreIslamicSocietiesandCivilization".
WomeninIslam.Retrieved1December2011.
15."WomenBeforeIslam".InternationalIslamicWeb.
Retrieved8December2011.
16.Mouhamadou,Shaykh."WomeninIslam".NoorAla
Noor.Retrieved1December2011.
17.MuslimWomen'sLeague.(1995).WomeninPre
IslamicArabia.MuslimWomen'sLeague.
18.Mernissi,F.(1987).BeyondtheVeil:MaleFemale
DynamicsinModernMuslimSociety.Indiana
UniversityPress.pp.75.ISBN0253311624.
19."IslamsWomenIntroductiontoMarriageinIslam".
islamswomen.com.Retrieved22September2015.
20.Khadduri(1978)
21.Esposito(2005)p.79
22.Esposito(2004),p.339
23.MarriageAccordingtoQuranandSunnah(http://web.
archive.org/web/20120214071901/http://muttaqun.com/
marriage.html)accessed22September2015
24."Chapter:Seekingpermissionofapreviouslymarried
womaninwords,andofavirginbysilence".Hadith
TheBookofMarriageSahihMuslim.sunnah.com.
Retrieved22September2015.
25."Chapter:Thefatherortheguardiancannotgivea
virginormatroninmarriagewithoutherconsent".
HadithBookofWedlock,Marriage(Nikaah)Sahih
alBukhari.sunnah.com.Retrieved22September2015.
26.TheEncyclopaediaofIslam,NewEdition,Vol.VIII,p.
27,Leiden1995.
27.SahihBukhari&SahihMuslim
28.AminAhsanIslahi,TadabburiQuran,vol.5,400.
29.Quran24:32(https://quran.com/24:32)
30."SameSexMarriageandMarriageinIslam".irfi.org.
Retrieved22September2015.
31.IntroductiontoIslambyDr.MuhammedHamidullah
32.Quran24:3(https://quran.com/24:3)
33.AbuDaud,Sunan,vol.2,227,(nos.2051(http://sunna
h.com/abudawud/12/6)2052(http://sunnah.com/abudaw
ud/12/7))
34.Quran2:221(https://quran.com/2:221)
35.Quran60:10(https://quran.com/60:10)
36."FatwabyDr.AbouElFadl:OnChristianMen
marryingMuslimWomen".ScholaroftheHouse.
Retrieved22September2015.
37.(PDF)EthicalPrinciplesScottishCommitteefor
InterreligiousDialogue(http://interreligiousdialogue.we
ebly.com/uploads/7/9/1/5/7915856/when_two_faiths__m
eet.pdf)
38."HadithBookofTricksSahihalBukhari".
sunnah.com.Retrieved22September2015.
39.Muslim,AlJami'alsahih,596,(no.3476)
40.AlBukhari,AlJamialsahih,919,(no.5138)(http://s
unnah.com/bukhari/67/74)
41."Honourkillings'unIslamic,'fatwadeclaresinwakeof
Shafiatrial".TheGlobeandMail.Retrieved
22September2015.
42.Saifuddin,Ebrahim."MarriagewithoutWali".People
ofSunnah.PeopleofSunnah.Retrieved29July2016.
43.Quran2:228(https://quran.com/2:228)
44.AminAhsanIslahi,TadabburiQur'an,vol.2,291292
45."DonatioPropterNuptias".lawin.org.Retrieved
22September2015.
46.KeciaAli,"MarriageinClassicalIslamic
Jurisprudence:ASurveyofDoctrines",inTheIslamic
MarriageContract:CaseStudiesinIslamicFamily
Law11,19(AsifaQuraishi&FrankE.Vogeleds.,
2008).
47."DowryforMarriageinQuran/Submission(Islam)".
masjidtucson.org.Retrieved22September2015.
48.PEARL&MENSKI,supranote11,716,at180.
49."IslamsWomenFiqhofMarriageDowry".
islamswomen.com.Retrieved22September2015.
50.(PDF)TheIslamicInstitutionofMahrandAmerican
Law(http://www.law.gonzaga.edu/academicprogram/Fi
les/GJIL/Volume4/Vol4TheIslamicInstitution.pdf)by
RichardFreeland,GonzagaUniversity
 51.RisalahyeTowzihulMasaaeleImamKhomeini. 58.Marriage(PartIofII)|IslamicLaws|BooksonIslam
(PersianandArabic).Titletranslation:Imam andMuslims|AlIslam.org(https://www.alislam.org/i
Khomeini'sIslamicLawsExplanationBook. slamiclawsayatullahalialhusaynialsistani/marriage
NiloofaraanehPublications.Withthecooperationof partiii).Permalink(http://www.webcitation.org/6ody
Mosol,GorganandEbadorrahmaanPublications.18th vs2KB)
print.2011.ISBN9647760280.Bibliographicaldata 59.TheEncyclopaediaofIslamNewEdition,Leiden1995,
(https://www.adinehbook.com/gp/product/9647760280/r tome8,page27b,articleNik:"Thewalicanonly
ef=sr_1_1000_1)."Pages375&376.MarriageContract givethebrideinmarriagewithherconsent,butinthe
RequirementsandConditions.QuestionNo.2370. caseofavirgin,silentconsentissufficient.Thefather
Translation:"Marriagecontractandmarriage orthegrandfather,however,hastherighttomarryhis
agreementhaveseveralrequirements:First,....Fifth, daughterorgranddaughteragainstherwill,aslongas
Womanandman[must]becontenttothemarriageand sheisavirgin(heisthereforecalledwalimudjbir,wali
mustbewillingforitbut,ifthewoman,inappearance withpowertocoercion)theexerciseofthispoweris,
(apparently),givespermissionreluctantlyanditis however,verystrictlyregulatedintheinterestsofthe
obviousandknownthatsheiscontenttothemarriage bride."
inly(=inheart),thecontractandagreementarevalid" 60.Sahih,Bukhari."MarriageinIslam".sahih
52.http://www.sistani.org/english/book/48/.Seemarriage bukhari.com.Retrieved20February2015.
linksinthetableofcontents.Permanentversion(http:// 61."MPactsagainstforcedmarriage".Stuff.Retrieved
web.archive.org/web/20161205145309/http://www.sista 22September2015.
ni.org/english/book/48/) 62.MaaikeVoorhoeve(2013)."Divorce.ModernPractice".
53.ResaaleyeDaneshjouyiPorseshhavaPasokhha. TheOxfordEncyclopediaofIslamandWomen.Oxford:
MotaabegheNazare10TanazMaraaje'eEzaam. OxfordUniversityPress.(subscriptionrequired(help)).
.. 63.MaaikeVoorhoeve(2013)."Divorce.Historical
Ma'aarefPublication.Student'sRisalah.Questionsand Practice".TheOxfordEncyclopediaofIslamand
Answers.CompatiblewiththeFatwaofTenPeopleof Women.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress.(subscription
Marja's.ISBN9789645313072. required(help)).
54.http://www.islamawareness.net/Marriage/marriage_article001.html
64.Quran4:22(https://quran.com/4:22)
Permanentarchivedlink(http://web.archive.org/web/20 65.Ghamidi,JavedAhmad.Mizan:AComprehensive
160725110919/http://www.islamawareness.net/Marriag IntroductiontoIslam.Lahore:AlMawrid.
e/marriage_article001.html) 66.Muslim,AlJamialsahih,616,(no.3590)
55.http://www.islamhelpline.net/node/7611.Permalink(htt 67.AlBukhari,AlJamialsahih,912(no.5102)
p://www.webcitation.org/6odzlfi1s) 68.Muslim,AlJamialsahih,619,(no.3606)
56.https://works.bepress.com/olanikeodewale/1/download/ 69."Everyrelationshipwhichisprohibited(formarriage)
Permalink(https://archive.org/details/Requirements_of_ owingtoconsanguinityisalsoprohibitedowingto
a_Valid_Marriage_in_Islam) fosterage"MalikibnAnas,AlMuatta,395396,(no.
57.https://www.soundvision.com/article/annikahthe 1887)
marriagecovenantPermalink(http://www.webcitation.o 70.AminAhsanIslahi,TadabburiQuran,vol.2,275.
rg/6odyli3Wa) 71.MalikibnAnas,AlMuatta,341,(no.1600)

Externallinks
(PDF)EBook:MarriageAformofIbada(http://www.islamicbulletin.org/free_downloads/marriage/marria
ge_a_form_of_iIbadah.pdf)
(English)Fiqhofthefamily(http://www.islamqa.info/en/cat/343)onIslamQA.infoAsubjectwise
completeguidelineforIslamicmarriageandmaritallife
(English)ThemarriageprocessinIslam(http://www.icna.org/hadithsthemarriageprocessinislam/)on
ICNAwebsite

Retrievedfrom"https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marriage_in_Islam&oldid=768570260"

Categories: MarriageinIslam

Thispagewaslastmodifiedon4March2017,at16:13.
TextisavailableundertheCreativeCommonsAttributionShareAlikeLicenseadditionaltermsmayapply.
Byusingthissite,youagreetotheTermsofUseandPrivacyPolicy.Wikipediaisaregisteredtrademark
oftheWikimediaFoundation,Inc.,anonprofitorganization.