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Part of a series on Islamic Jurisprudence (in Islamic studies)

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In Islam, there are several reasons to marry, and also several things to observe if one is not able to marry. Also, there are restrictions regarding whom one may marry. Islamic law asserts rules regarding Islamic marriage, interfaith marriage, and marital conversion, and these laws apply differently to men and women.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Forbidden 3 Unmarried 4 Allowed 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Overview

Muslims who can marry are required to marry because it helps him from committing illegal sexual intercourse (Arabic: Zina). An unmarried man is deemed not to be fulfilling all his obligations as a Muslim. Muslims who are unable to marry are advised to fast, as fasting helps to diminish his sexual power. Further, a father is expected to help his son to find a suitable wife.

A Muslim man cannot marry:

• a woman who is not one of the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab), and the rules prescribe that children be raised Muslim.
• a foster relation (through suckling but not through adoption) as such relations are equated with blood ties.
• a Muslim man is forbidden to ask a woman to marry him if another Muslim has already done so.

A Muslim woman cannot marry:

• anyone who is not Muslim

[edit] Forbidden

According to Islam, it is forbidden to marry people that do not belong to the People of the Book.

Also, in Islam foster relations (through suckling, not through adoption) are equated with blood relations. Sahih al-Bukhari 3:48:813.

A Muslim is forbidden by the Sunnah to ask for a woman in marriage when another Muslim has already done so. Al-Muwatta 28 1.1.

[edit] Unmarried

In Islam, marriage is seen as an important institution into which to enter. Muhammad is reported to have said that marriage constitutes half of the religion. In other words, an unmarried man is not fulfilling all his obligations as a Muslim.

At the same time, a father is expected to assist his son in finding a suitable wife.

In Sahih al-Bukhari 7:62:1:

In another hadith in :

Further:

A man must never be alone with a woman unless there is someone who is a Mahram with them. (Bukhari, Muslim)

and:

A man must never be alone with a woman, for verily the Satan is their third. (At-Tirmithee and Ahmad)

(The above two statements only apply to the period of time before marriage when the partners are finding compatibility)

[edit] Allowed

(Bukhari 7.28)

In Tirmidhi #3090:

(Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.)

[edit] See also

• Islamic view of marriage
• Islamic view of sex

[edit] References

1. ^ Sahih al-Bukhari 7:62:4

[edit] External links

• http://muttaqun.com/marriage.html
• The Wali in Islam:1,2,3,4,5