Islam considers marriage to be an extremely important institution that builds strong families and communities. The document discusses several key aspects of marriage in Islam: 1) Marriage is established through mutual consent between the couple and their parents or guardians, with witnesses and a dowry. 2) Marriage serves religious purposes like fulfilling natural desires in permissible ways, continuing human generation, and being part of the Prophet's teachings. 3) Getting married can be obligatory, recommended, disliked, or forbidden depending on one's health, wealth and ability to fulfill marital responsibilities with justice. Maintaining a happy marriage requires reflection on questions like the right time, partner, process, purpose, and management of marriage.

1. CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE IN ISLAM: INSIGHTS & ISSUES
PREPARED BY:
SIRAJ MUH’D. FUNTUA

2.  Since time memorial, marriage is considered as part and
parcel of tradition in any civilized society.
 However, Islam makes marriage even more meaningful. This
is because the family unit is extremely important in the sight
of Allah (SWT) indicated by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and
as .
 In fact, the topic on marriage and family life are discussed in
details in the glorious Qur’an.
 The harmony in the family unit builds a better community and
consequently determines the quality of life in a society.

3. Islamically, marriage is a relationship that is
established between a male and a female
with the acknowledgement of their parents
or guardians.
 Four criteria for marriage establishment:
1.Mutual agreement between the intending
spouses;
2. Mutual agreement between the parents of
both above in (a);
3. Two witnesses that are known to be
trustworthy in the society
4. Nihla (i.e. dowry) Q4:4.
 TYPES OF MARRIAGE BASED ON
ABILITY/CERTAIN REASONS
Marriage could be:
1. Compulsory (Farzhun)
2. Supererogatory (Sunna)
3. Non-Supererogatory (Makaruh)
4. Forbidden (Haram)
 On an individual
This defers from one person
to another.

4. Type of Marriage
 Compulsory (Farzhun)
 Supererogatory (Sunna)
 Non-Supererogatory
(Makaruh)
 Forbidden (Haram)
Reasons
 Rich, healthy and Uncontrolable
Desire.
 Rich, Healthy and Controlable
Desire.
 Poor, Healthy and controlable
desire.
 Ill-health such as AIDs

5.  Commandment of Allah (SWT) in the glorious Qur’an. Suratu Nisai,
verse 3:
If you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of
your choice, two or three or four; but if your fear that you shall not be able to deal
justly (with them), then (marry) only one or that which your right hands possess.
That will be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice. Q4:3
It is a tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Marriage is my tradition, he who dislikes my tradition ( such as the
marriage) is not among my followers. (Hadith)

6.  Commandment from Allah;
 Prophet’s way of life;
 Natural weakness of human beings;
 Source of human generation & preservation
 “… (That is) the nature of (Fitra) with which Allah has created mankind”. (Q30:30)
Innate impulses and sexual urges of people. Refer to Q: Suratu Ar-Rum 30

7.  Abdul-Razaq and Al-Baihaqi reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: … O my followers, you
should marry in order that you may reproduce and multiply, because I will be proud
of you on the Day of Judgment before the other nations… (Hadith)
 This is why Islam prohibits monasticism (i.e. abstaining from marriage) and regarding sexual
urges as something filthy, with the intention to devote one’s time to worship and drawing
near to the creator.
 Al-Baihaqi reported on the authority of Sa’ad Ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) that the Prophet (SAW)
said: “verily Allah has replaced monasticism with Islam for us”.
 This is why in another tradition of Prophet:
At-Tabarani and Al-Baihaqi reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever is able to
marry and then does not do so, he is not from me”.

8.  Satisfaction of sexual needs through righteous means is an act of Ibada (worship)
that deserves reward in Islam.
…and having sexual intercourse with your legal mate (wife) is also charity”. The
companions exclaimed, “O messenger of Allah, is one rewarded even for
satisfying his desire?”. The Prophet (SAW) explained, ‘if one satisfied it (his
desire) by prohibited means, (fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism,
bestiality, etc) would not he be punished? Likewise, if he satisfies it (his desire)
by legal means, he would be rewarded. (Muslim reported from Abu Zharr)
 Establishment and preservation of self-esteem in the society.
Every society recognise the importance of family life and attach special regards to people that
live as husband and wife among them.

9. The following questions need to be known, ponder upon and provide answers for:
What is the ripe time for marriage?
Who are you planning to marry?
How are you planning to get married?
Why are you marrying?
How do you keep and manage marriage?