Allah is Goodness and the Goodness In The Prophet's Guidance in Marriage

The Prophet taught us how to handle all aspects of life including Marriage. It has been authentically reported from him that he rejected the marriage of a woman who had been given in marriage by her father against her will. Thus forbidding the marriage of any woman against her will. As narrated by Imam Bukhari, such marriage is considered to be invalid In the marriage of a virgin, the Prophet said: "A virgin should not be married until her permission is sought and her permission is her silence." [Muslim] Even the Orphaned girl can be married and the same laws apply with her as well: "There is no orphanhood after puberty." [Dawud]

Islam is all about justice and being so it has its own unique “check and balance” Just as a woman can not be married without her consent, she in turn can not marry without the approval of her guardian. It is narrated by Imam Bukhari that the Prophet said: "There is no marriage without the consent of a legal guardian." Also narrated by Ibn majah: "A woman may not give herself in marriage, for it is the adulteress who gives herself in marriage." The legal guardian must be Muslim because a non- Muslim can never oversee the rights of a Muslim. And he must be a male because men understand men better and are less emotional than women This shows the widom of Allah for so many women are weak to the idea of “love” and marry looking for it without investigating the man to see if he is even worthy of such an emotion

Also the Prophet stipulated that every woman married is entitled to a (Mahr) dowery. It does not have to be given before the marriage, but can be given at a time agreed upon. This is for her protection because you never know if the marriage may be good or bad so at least she has something to start her life over with if it turns out to be bad. Regarding a man who married a woman without fixing a dowry for her and who did not have sexual intercourse with her before he died, The women is entitled to the same dowry as other women of her status, no less and no more, and she is entitled to a share of his inheritance and must observe a waiting period of four months and ten days before remarrying [Muslim] The dowery is determined by the woman and her family and can be whatever amount deemed reasonable. There is no fixed limit on the dowery

Also the marriage must be witnessed by two Muslim males It was narrated by al-Bayhaqi from the hadeeth of ‘Imraan and ‘Aa’ishah with the wording: “There is no marriage except with a wali and two witnesses of good character.” Some scholars are of the view that if the marriage is announced, then there is no need for two witnesses to the marriage contract.

Finally it is strongly encouraged to have a wedding party when one is able The wedding party does not have to be right away but it should be done whenever one is able. It can consist of any food. Imam Bukhari narrated that the Prophet said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf when he got married, “Give a feast, even with one sheep.” Also we learn from this hadith that the wedding feast should be organized by the husband.

So these are the particulars taught by our Prophet to us in regards to marriage: First the marriage must be agreed to by both the woman and the man Secondly, the woman must have had a guardian to approve of the marriage Thirdly the woman is entitled to a dowery Forthly the marriage must be witnessed And finally it is from the sunnah to hold a wedding feast