Whilst the following Hadith is in relation to choosing a woman, it refers to both sexes: the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said When a suitable partner is chosen then four things are considered, out of which one should take importance and this is the religious practice of their prospective partners. “'Truly Allah has totally forbidden disobedience (and the subsequent hurt) to mothers, burying alive daughters, with-holding the rights of others, and demanding that which is not your right.” (Hadith Muslim 4257. The Prophet of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) gave the strictest orders with relation to the rights of others. If the latter is the case then they will have to answer to Allah. 'she's my brothers daughter, lets get our son married to her'!). The parents have a responsibility to ensure that both couples are compatible and do not arrange a marriage merely for their own social or personal reasons (i.e. If either of them say ‘no’ then the Nikah cannot continue, however, silence is regarded as consent. One of the conditions for the Nikah (marriage ceremony) to be valid is both the man and woman are asked independently of each other as to whether they agree with the marriage or not. Arranged marriagesĪrranged marriages are allowed and promoted in Islam as long as they are accepted by both the bride and the groom. We find that some people use their power of authority and cultural understanding (baradarism) to arrange such forced marriages and then hide behind the religion of Islam to justify their actions.
Islam does not support in any way a marriage where either the man or woman is unhappy with the set up. These marriages are either forced or arranged against a person’s will. However, we also find that in today’s day and age that there are many marriages that are improper or unfair and can make a person’s life miserable. However, those who cannot should devote themselves to fasting, for it is a means of suppressing sexual desire.” (Bukhari and Muslim) “Young men, those of you who can support a wife should marry, for it keeps you from looking at non permissible females and protects you from immorality. The Prophet of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) has also said as narrated by Ibn Masud (May Allah be pleased with him) The Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The Nikah is my Sunnah (way), whosoever leaves my Sunnah is not from amongst me” (Kitabus Sunan – Mishkat) Marriage is also an important part of the Sunnah. “And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: Verily in that are signs for those who reflect. Allah has described, in the most moving and eloquent terms, this eternal, natural relationship between man and woman, which is filled with security, love, understanding and compassion:Īnd among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: Verily in that are signs for those who reflect. Marriage is a sacred bond between a man and woman, which makes each other permissible for them to enjoy and live happily.