The main purpose of marriage in the Muslim culture is to find a life partner and to let out sexual frustration. For a legal marriage to occur all that needs to happen is there needs to be a marriage contract that is signed. The marriage contract needs to be signed by two witnesses. In the marriage contract there is a Meher, a formal statement of a gift that the groom gives the bride. This gift include anything from money, land, education, or jewelry. (Schaer) The reason for the Meher is so that the girl will be married with some property of her own (Waris Mawsood). In the Nikah, the ceremony at which the marriage contract is signed, the groom proposes and the detail of the Meher are settled. This ceremony is generally not done in a Mosque. (Schaer) The ceremony usually consists of a reading from the Quran and the exchange of vows by both parties (Waris Maqsood). A marriage must never be done in secret and show be publicly shown through a party called a walimah, usually there is large feast (Waris Maqsood).
When the Quran was written it was common for a man to have multiple wives, up to four. Also, wealthy and powerful women had additional marriage arrangements with other men. As long as a man has the ability to care for multiple wives then he is allowed to have them. Islam is one of the only religions that allows this. Today, women are expected to only have one husband at a time, but can have more than one husband in a lifetime. (Waris Maqsood)
Many Muslim marriage are arranged by the parents. The parents are not allowed to coerce, force, or trick their children into a marriage. If the children do not agree to the marriage they can refuse to be married. Muslim children live sheltered lives and are protected from the chance of falling in love. Muslim girls and boy are expected to be virgins when they are first married. (Waris Maqsood)
If a marriage dissolves either member of contract is allowed to ask for a divorce. Celibacy is not allowed and can lead to many physical and psychological problems. Sexual intimacy outside of marriage is foribbiden in any kind of relationship, homosexual or heterosexual. (Waris Maqsood)
Marriage for Muslims is much like those of the western world. The ceremony is quite similar other than a few traditional aspects. People of the Muslim culture get married for the same reasons that Americans do.
For a look at a an actual Muslim wedding go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylUUqcEleUg
When the Quran was written it was common for a man to have multiple wives, up to four. Also, wealthy and powerful women had additional marriage arrangements with other men. As long as a man has the ability to care for multiple wives then he is allowed to have them. Islam is one of the only religions that allows this. Today, women are expected to only have one husband at a time, but can have more than one husband in a lifetime. (Waris Maqsood)
Many Muslim marriage are arranged by the parents. The parents are not allowed to coerce, force, or trick their children into a marriage. If the children do not agree to the marriage they can refuse to be married. Muslim children live sheltered lives and are protected from the chance of falling in love. Muslim girls and boy are expected to be virgins when they are first married. (Waris Maqsood)
If a marriage dissolves either member of contract is allowed to ask for a divorce. Celibacy is not allowed and can lead to many physical and psychological problems. Sexual intimacy outside of marriage is foribbiden in any kind of relationship, homosexual or heterosexual. (Waris Maqsood)
Marriage for Muslims is much like those of the western world. The ceremony is quite similar other than a few traditional aspects. People of the Muslim culture get married for the same reasons that Americans do.
For a look at a an actual Muslim wedding go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylUUqcEleUg