Book of Marriage
Introduction
In the Arabic language, nikah means “joining.” In its literal sense it denotes sexual intercourse, while by figurative extension it is used for the marriage contract—attributing the effect to its cause. Throughout the Qur’an, whenever the word nikah appears it refers to the contract, except in the verse, “Then she is not lawful for him thereafter until she marries another husband” [al-Baqarah 2:230], where it clearly refers to intercourse.

The legitimacy of marriage is founded on the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the scholars.

1. The Qur’an: Allah the Exalted says, “Marry such women as seem good to you…” [al-Nisa’ 4:3], along with many other verses.
2. The Sunnah: countless reports—statements, actions, and tacit approvals—attest to it, among them the hadith at hand: “O young men…,” and so on.
3. Scholarly consensus: the Muslims unanimously agree on its legitimacy. The Lawgiver has encouraged marriage because of the manifest benefits it secures and the considerable harms it prevents. Allah, Exalted is He, said, “And marry off those among you who are single” [al-Nur 24:32]—a positive command; and He said, “Do not prevent them from marrying their husbands” [al-Baqarah 2:232]—a clear prohibition.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Marriage is part of my Sunnah; whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me.” He also said, “Marry and multiply, for I will boast of your numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection.” Numerous other texts convey this same meaning.

All of this is because of the tremendous benefits that marriage brings to both spouses,