Nikah is an Arabic term used for marriage. It means "contract". ("Aqd in Arabic). The Quran specifically refers to marriage as "mithaqun Ghalithun," Which means “a strong covenant”?"And they have taken a strong pledge (Mithaqun Ghalithun) from you?" (Quran 4:21). Marriage is considered the fortress of chastity. As a meaningful institution, marriage has two main purposes: To ensure preservation of the human species and continuation of the human race, "O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them has spread abroad a multitude of men and women" (Quran: 4:1) To provide spiritual and legal foundation of the family" And of His signs is this: He created for you mates from yourself that you might find rest in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, therein indeed are portents for folk who reflect". (Quran30:21)
Through Marriage, the conjugal relationship between a man and a woman becomes lawful. It provides a legitimate outlet for recreation as well as procreation. Marriage provides spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological companionship. This companionship generates and sustains love, kindness, compassion, mutual confidence, solace and succor (sakinah). It lays a spiritual and legal foundation for raising a family. The children born of the matrimonial union become legitimate and mutual rights of inheritance are established.
Marriage in Islam is a recommended as a religious requirement."Marry those among you who are single and (marry) your slaves, male and female, that are righteous" (Quran 24:32) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared: "When the servant of Allah marries, he has fulfilled half the (responsibilities laid on him by the) faith; so let him be God conscious with respect to the other half". (Mishkat) Marriage has also been commended as the way of the prophets. "We indeed sent messengers before you (O Muhammad), and we assigned them wives and children" (Quran 13:38) Marriage, in fact, is specifically considered the tradition (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he declared: "Marriage is my Sunnah, whoever disregards my (sunnah) path is not from among us". (ibn Majah).
Islam discourages celibacy and encourages marriage, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended: "Whoever is able to marry, should marry" (Bukhari). Marriage is recommended for partners who share a common way of life. The matrimonial partners should be able to fulfill their purpose of creation as defined by Allah. They should be able to effectively carry out their responsibility as care-takers (khalifah) of earth. They should share the common goal of building a well integrated Muslim community and be able to work harmoniously towards it.
Normally the criteria for selecting matrimonial mates are many: wealth, beauty, rank, character, congeniality, compatibility, religion, etc. The Quran enjoins Muslims to select partners who are good and pure (tayyib) "Women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity "(Quran 24:26) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended Muslims to select those partners who are best in religion (din) and character.”A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, for her rank, for her beauty, and for her religion (and character). So marry the one who is best in the religion and character and prosper" (Bukhari and Muslim). Contrary to this it is most unfortunate to note that in majority of our so called Muslim societies today (including Kashmir valley also), we are actually preaching and practising the customs and traditions of unIslamic/non-Muslim societies. Casteism and family occupations have been given much more importance than the Deen and character in selecting the Partners. Our mental setup is very much preoccupied by the manmade customs and traditions of other societies.
Islam has given freedom of choice to those who wish to get married. The mutual choice of the would-be-spouses is given the highest consideration: "do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree between themselves in a lawful manner" (Quran 2:232).The process of mate selection should be a function of a healthy balance between the freedom of choice of the would-be-spouses and consideration of the influence and consent of the parents / guardians. The freedom of choice of those who wish to get married should not preclude the influence and consent of the parents/guardians nor should the parents/guardians ignore the wishes and consent of the would be spouses. Islam does not allow any kind of pre-marital relationship between a boy and a girl. However, for the purpose of selecting an appropriate mate, the would-be-spouses are allowed to see and/or talk to each other. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended: "When one of you seeks a woman in marriage, and then if he is able to have a look at whom he wishes to marry, let him do so". (Abu Dawood). The would-be-spouse is allowed to see each other for matrimonial purposes under the direct supervision of their mahram relatives. This provision is expected to be conceived and executed with piety and modesty. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed: "No man has the right to be in the privacy with a woman who is not lawful for him. Satan is their third party unless there is a mahram". (Ahmad)
The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract. 'And give the women (on marriage) their mahr as a (nikah) free gift"(Qurar4:4). Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.
The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) considered simple weddings the best weddings: ‘The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed" (Mishkat). Nowadays in the name of marriage parties (walima/reception of barat etc.) to keep their so called pride and the hallow respect high in their society, a very huge amount of money is wasted which ultimately not only dilute the values of our pure Islamic society by setting a new bad trend in it but also leaves thousands of our sisters and brothers un-married.
Through Marriage, the conjugal relationship between a man and a woman becomes lawful. It provides a legitimate outlet for recreation as well as procreation. Marriage provides spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological companionship. This companionship generates and sustains love, kindness, compassion, mutual confidence, solace and succor (sakinah). It lays a spiritual and legal foundation for raising a family. The children born of the matrimonial union become legitimate and mutual rights of inheritance are established.
Marriage in Islam is a recommended as a religious requirement."Marry those among you who are single and (marry) your slaves, male and female, that are righteous" (Quran 24:32) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared: "When the servant of Allah marries, he has fulfilled half the (responsibilities laid on him by the) faith; so let him be God conscious with respect to the other half". (Mishkat) Marriage has also been commended as the way of the prophets. "We indeed sent messengers before you (O Muhammad), and we assigned them wives and children" (Quran 13:38) Marriage, in fact, is specifically considered the tradition (sunnah) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he declared: "Marriage is my Sunnah, whoever disregards my (sunnah) path is not from among us". (ibn Majah).
Islam discourages celibacy and encourages marriage, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended: "Whoever is able to marry, should marry" (Bukhari). Marriage is recommended for partners who share a common way of life. The matrimonial partners should be able to fulfill their purpose of creation as defined by Allah. They should be able to effectively carry out their responsibility as care-takers (khalifah) of earth. They should share the common goal of building a well integrated Muslim community and be able to work harmoniously towards it.
Normally the criteria for selecting matrimonial mates are many: wealth, beauty, rank, character, congeniality, compatibility, religion, etc. The Quran enjoins Muslims to select partners who are good and pure (tayyib) "Women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity "(Quran 24:26) Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended Muslims to select those partners who are best in religion (din) and character.”A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, for her rank, for her beauty, and for her religion (and character). So marry the one who is best in the religion and character and prosper" (Bukhari and Muslim). Contrary to this it is most unfortunate to note that in majority of our so called Muslim societies today (including Kashmir valley also), we are actually preaching and practising the customs and traditions of unIslamic/non-Muslim societies. Casteism and family occupations have been given much more importance than the Deen and character in selecting the Partners. Our mental setup is very much preoccupied by the manmade customs and traditions of other societies.
Islam has given freedom of choice to those who wish to get married. The mutual choice of the would-be-spouses is given the highest consideration: "do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree between themselves in a lawful manner" (Quran 2:232).The process of mate selection should be a function of a healthy balance between the freedom of choice of the would-be-spouses and consideration of the influence and consent of the parents / guardians. The freedom of choice of those who wish to get married should not preclude the influence and consent of the parents/guardians nor should the parents/guardians ignore the wishes and consent of the would be spouses. Islam does not allow any kind of pre-marital relationship between a boy and a girl. However, for the purpose of selecting an appropriate mate, the would-be-spouses are allowed to see and/or talk to each other. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recommended: "When one of you seeks a woman in marriage, and then if he is able to have a look at whom he wishes to marry, let him do so". (Abu Dawood). The would-be-spouse is allowed to see each other for matrimonial purposes under the direct supervision of their mahram relatives. This provision is expected to be conceived and executed with piety and modesty. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed: "No man has the right to be in the privacy with a woman who is not lawful for him. Satan is their third party unless there is a mahram". (Ahmad)
The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract. 'And give the women (on marriage) their mahr as a (nikah) free gift"(Qurar4:4). Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.
The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) considered simple weddings the best weddings: ‘The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed" (Mishkat). Nowadays in the name of marriage parties (walima/reception of barat etc.) to keep their so called pride and the hallow respect high in their society, a very huge amount of money is wasted which ultimately not only dilute the values of our pure Islamic society by setting a new bad trend in it but also leaves thousands of our sisters and brothers un-married.