Book of Nikāḥ (Marriage) (1)
Linguistically, nikāḥ denotes sexual intercourse; by figurative extension it refers to the contract, the effect being named for its cause.
In every instance of the word nikāḥ in the Quran the intended meaning is the contract, except in His statement, “She is not lawful for him again until she marries another husband” [Q 2:230], where intercourse is meant.
The legitimacy of marriage rests on three foundations: the Book, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus.
-
The Book: Allah says, “Marry whichever women seem good to you” [Q 4:3], among many other verses.
-
The Sunnah: there are abundant textual proofs—verbal, practical, and tacit—among them the ḥadīth under discussion, “O company of young men …” and so forth.
-
Consensus: the entire Muslim community agrees on its lawfulness. The All-Wise Lawgiver has urged it because of the lofty benefits it yields and the serious harms it averts. Allah says, “Marry off the singles among you” [Q 24:32]—a command—and He says, “Do not prevent them from marrying their husbands” [Q 2:232]—a prohibition.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Marriage is my Sunnah; whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of me,” and he said, “Marry and have many children, for I shall boast of your numbers before the nations on the Day of Resurrection.” Numerous other texts convey the same meaning.
All this emphasis stems from the great advantages that accrue—benefits that touch the spouses, their children, society, and the religion as a whole.
• One such advantage is the safeguarding of the chastity of both spouses: by virtue of this covenant each confines his or her gaze to the partner, turning away from male and female paramours.
• Another is that marriage enlarges the community through procreation, so that the servants of Allah and the followers of His Prophet ﷺ multiply, fulfilling the boast and helping one another in the tasks of life.
• It also preserves lineage, which fosters mutual acquaintance, affection, cooperation, and mutual support.
Were it not for the marriage contract and the protection of chastity it secures, lineages would be lost and life would descend into chaos—no inheritance, no rights, no roots, and no branches.