And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts: Verily in that are signs for those who reflect. (Quran 30:21)
The importance of marriage in the light of Islam cannot be turned down. The Prophet Muhammad SAWW treated marriage is an integral Sunnah as well. “The Nikah is my Sunnah (way), whosoever leaves my Sunnah is not from amongst me” (Kitabus Sunan – Mishkat).
In today’s age and time, the definition of conducting a wedding as well as a marriage has changed, based on societal norms. The marriages today, if not all, but many, are conducted in an improper and unfair manner, leading to making the lives of two involved individuals miserable.
Forced or arranged marriages which happen without the will of the involved individuals are not in any way supported in Islam. If either one is not happy with the set up, they hold the right of rejecting the proposal. However, due different norms and implications, forced marriages continue happening all over the world.
Islam Speaks Against People Using their Authority and Baradarism to Encourage Forced Marriages in the Name of Islam!
Those who are involved in forcing others to marry without their will are committing a huge sin. The following incident in Islam clarifies the notion of the Prophet Muhammad SAWW:
Khansa Bint Khidam said “My father married me to his nephew, and I did not like this match, so I complained to the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace). He said to me “accept what your father has arranged.” I said “I do not wish to accept what my father has arranged.”
He said “then this marriage is invalid, go and marry whomever you wish.” I said “I have accepted what my father has arranged, but I wanted women to know that fathers have no right in their daughter’s matters (i.e. they have no right to force a marriage on them). (Fathul Bari Sharah Al Bukhari 9/194, Ibn Majah Kitabun Nikah 1/602)
The Prophet Muhammad SAWW started with telling Khansa Bint Khidam to obey her father. The concerns of our parents hold a lot of importance, even in the light of Islam. However, the Prophet SAWW noticed that her father was forcing her in this marriage and therefore, he told her to make a decision of her own.
While love, understanding compatibility are important notions to look for in a marriage, the approval of both parties holds a lot of importance as well.
“There is no compulsion in religion, the right path and wrong path, both have been clearly explained and explicitly differentiated from each other”. (2:256)
Islam has been very clear towards the rights of individuals on getting married. It is essential to understand and grasp the basic Islamic principles and stances.
Islam gives the right and consent to individuals to make a choice when it comes to marriage and it can be seen in the Prophetic traditions and in the Quran as well.
