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Marriage is considered a blessing bestowed upon us by Allah in Islam, which puts together two people who complete each other and their deen. It is both a physical and emotional bond that the partners share with each other. It is also a way to keep the society going, through the blessing of children. As said by our Prophet (SAW), it is said to complete half of our religion. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, therefore he should fear Allah for the other half”. – [At-Tirmidhi 3096]
The word “marriage’ or “nikah” has been mentioned several times in the Qur’an showcasing how much focus and importance has been put on it, believing it to be a necessity for the people. It implies the fact that it is either highly recommended or even obligatory. Scholars have deciphered the meaning behind it saying that marriage or nikah is a highly recommended act even by our Prophet (SAW) but it becomes obligatory when there is a chance for a person to fall into sins. Narrated by Abdullah, Allah’s messenger (pbuh) said: “O young people! Whoever among you is able to marry, should marry, and whoever is not able to marry, is recommended to fast, as fasting diminishes his sexual power.” – [Sahih Al-Bukhari 5066]
The Prophet Muhammad SAW (pbuh) encouraged his ummah to marry and fulfill their sexual urges and desires in lawful ways. It acts as a mean to gratify the physical, sexual and emotional needs of a person, since male-female contact before marriage is forbidden in Islam and forced marriages are considered invalid.
It is said in the Qur’an that we, the humans, have been created in pairs, to share such a precious and sacred bond, and to lead life further with your partner. “And among His signs in this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in peace and tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts).”– Qur’an [30:21]
Allah SWT has placed great importance in the relationship of a husband and wife, taking it to the status of the most important relation among all relations. Even Prophet Muhammad mentioned so many times in his sayings about its virtue. He highlighted its importance by stating it as one of the most crucial acts and roles that is to be carried out by the mortals, to lead life. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself says: “Marriage is my sunnah, and whoever does not follow my sunnah has nothing to do with me.” – [Sunan Ibn Majah, 1846]
Even though a lot of young people fear getting married before sustaining themselves, it is mentioned in the Qur’an on how marriage increases rizq (sustenance) and that one should not delay getting married because of this reason. “And marry those among you who are single and those who are fit among your male slaves and your female slaves; if they are needy, Allah will make them free from want out of His grace; and Allah is Ample-giving, Knowing.” – Qur’an [24:32]. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA) also said: “Obey Allah in what He has commanded you to do by getting married, He will then fulfill His promise to make you rich.” – [Al-Durr Al-Manthur v.5 pps 80-81]
Along with one’s rizq, marriage also enhances the value of one’s prayer. Imam Sadiq (AS) said: “Two rak‘ats (cycles) prayed by a married person are better than the night-vigil and the fast of a person who is not married.” It is also recommended for the couples to pray together, as Allah SWT looks at them with mercy when husband and wife do things together for the sake of Allah even as little as looking at each other with love and affection. The Prophet SAW (pbuh) said: “When a husband and wife look at each other with love, Allah looks at them with mercy.” – [Sahih Bukhari 6:19 Tirmidhi]
All in all, the Qur’an verses and these hadiths portray the importance of nikah in the life of Muslims and established itself as one of the main responsibilities and roles held by a Muslim. It acts as a foundation on which a man can build his life with his spouse. The Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad SAW (pbuh) said: “There is no foundation that has been built in Islam more loved by Allah, than marriage.” He has also said: “The most disliked of permissible things to Allah is Divorce.” – [Sunan Ibn Majah, 2018]
