Marriage in Islam

Generally, many people do not realize that marriage is a binding contract between two individual of different gender that binds all the actions committed by the couple throughout the life span of the marriage contract itself. In Islam, marriage is a scared matrimonial life contract between a man and a woman to live together as husband and wife with blessing from Almighty Allah.

Like any other contracts, a marriage contract is an agreement between two parties having common objectives aiming to achieve one common goal. It is automatically terminated upon the death of one party. In addition to this, in an Islamic matrimony, the marriage can be terminated through divorce. However this is not preferred unless it is unavoidable. Divorce is labelled as ''the most hated of permitted things'' in Islam.

Islam encourages adult Muslims to develop a good family structure through a system concerning marriage laid out under the Islamic Family Institutions prescribed by Shari'ah. It forbids marital relationships without wedlock because it can produce abundance of illegitimate children which is a very disturbing issue. Islam also condones but discourages Muslims to be married followed by divorce many times. Muslim men are encouraged to marry needy women and have large families. They are allowed to marry legally a maximum of four wives at one time under acceptable circumstances. Polygamous marriage in Islam is strictly controlled and governed by the Shari'ah Law.

''Marry women of your choice, two or three or four, but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them then only one or one that your right hands possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.'' (Translation of Surah An-Nisa verse 4:3)''You will never be able to deal justly between wives however much you desire (to do so). But (if you have more than one wife) do not turn altogether away (from one), leaving her in suspense…'' (Translation of Surah An-Nisa verse 4:129)

The Quranic verse 4:3 discourages but allows a man to marry more than one wife if he could deal justly with them while verse 4:129 highlighted that a man is unable to deal justly between wives which Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) himself, the greatest Prophet of all, unable to qualify as one, without Allah's help and guidance. No mere man of reasonable intelligence could handle such situation as what the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) had gone through. Since generally, no mere human beings can fulfil this Qur'anic requirement hence, no Muslim should really have more than one wife.

All in all, marriage in Islam constitutes all the good things such as healthy relationship, responsibility, commitment, good health, good deeds, happiness and abundance of wealth, i.e. legitimate children. Its primary objective is to preserve and continue the human race while at the same time provide protection of morals. Hence, marriage in Islam encompasses the developing of good family structure to continue respectable generations in the future. It is of no doubt that marriage relationship is good morality and happiness, creating a just and cohesive society where the needs of men and women are well taken care off. Thus, all adult Muslims are encouraged to get married in order to avoid pre-marital sexual affairs. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) had directed Muslims to get married otherwise, they are to observe patience until they get married.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (r.a.): Allah's Messenger (s.a.w.) said to us, ''O young men, those of you who can support a wife should marry, for it (marriage) controls the gaze and preserves one for immorality; but those who cannot should fast, for it is a means of suppressing the sexual desire.'' [(Agreed upon) – Bulugh Al-Maram compiled by Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani]