Principles
A Sunnah and half of faith
«Whoever among you can afford it, let him marry — it lowers the gaze and guards chastity. Whoever cannot, let him fast, for it is a shield.»
Bukhārī & Muslim
Purpose
Marriage brings tranquillity, mutual love, and a righteous family — «He created for you spouses that you may find tranquillity in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy.»
30:21
Choose for faith
«A woman is married for four: her wealth, lineage, beauty, and religion — so take the one with religion, may your hands be rubbed with dust (you will prosper).»
Bukhārī & Muslim
Consultation (istikhārah)
Pray istikhārah before deciding — seeking Allah's guidance in all important matters is the way of the believer.
Bukhārī
The mahr (dowry)
«Give the women their mahr as a gift» — it is the right of the wife, a gift from the husband, and should not be excessive.
4:4
The walī (guardian)
«No marriage without a guardian» — the bride's guardian protects her interest, and her consent is required.
Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī
The witnesses
«No marriage without a guardian and two just witnesses» — the marriage is publicized, not hidden.
Aḥmad
The sermon (khuṭbah)
The Prophet ﷺ would recite the khuṭbah of marriage beginning with praising Allah and the words of taʿwīdh.
Abū Dāwūd, Nasāʾī
Rights & Responsibilities
Good companionship
«Live with them in kindness» — the foundation of married life is gentleness, patience, and mutual care.
4:19
The husband provides
He is responsible for maintenance, housing, and provision according to his means — «Let a person of means spend according to his means.»
65:7
The wife guards the home
She guards the home and herself in his absence — «So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding what Allah has entrusted.»
4:34
Intimacy with consent
Intimate relations are based on mutual care, not force — «Your wives are a tilth for you, so come to your tilth as you wish.»
2:223
Resolving disputes
If discord arises, appoint arbiters from both families to seek reconciliation.
4:35
Fairness in polygyny
If a man marries more than one, he must be just — «If you fear you will not be just, then only one.»
4:3
Kindness in divorce
If reconciliation fails, «Release them with kindness or hold them with kindness» — divorce is permitted but disliked, done with dignity.
65:2
Raising Righteous Children
A righteous child is ongoing charity
«When a person dies, his deeds end except three: continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for him.»
Muslim
Teaching tawḥīd first
«Command your children to pray at age seven and separate their beds at age ten.»
Abū Dāwūd
Choosing good names
«You will be called by your names and your fathers' names on the Day of Judgement, so choose good names.»
Abū Dāwūd
Aʿaqīqah
«Every child is pledged by his aqīqah, sacrificed on the seventh day, his head shaved, and a name given.»
Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī
Duʿās
بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَبَارَكَ عَلَيْكَ وَجَمَعَ بَيْنَكُمَا فِي خَيْرٍ
For the newlyweds
May Allah bless you, bless you, and bring you together in goodness.
Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لَنَا شَيْطَانًا
Before intimacy
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from Shayṭān, and I seek refuge that You make for us a Shayṭān (in our offspring).
Bukhārī & Muslim