|
Muslims believe in one God - Allah - who has complete
authority over the destiny of mankind and the prophets through whom
His revelations were revealed. Muslims believe that God's 'everlasting message' to man was disclosed to the prophet Muhammad.
This revelation, which was memorised and written down by the prophet, is know as the Koran (Qur'an). It is believed that none of the 114
chapters have been changed over the centuries, so the Qur'an is regarded
as being the absolute unique text and is the primary source of every
Muslim's faith and practice. It deals with all the issues which concern
mankind: wisdom, principles, worship and law, but the fundamental
theme is the relationship between God and humankind.
UK marriage laws allow for mosques to be registered for the solemnisation
of marriages according to the rites of the Muslim religion. The legal
requirements to be fulfilled are those that apply to civil
marriages. However, if the building in which you wish to marry
is in a different registration district to where you live, you need
to prove to the superintendent registrar that the building is your
normal place of worship. If you cannot do this, you will be required
to give notice in the registration district in which the building
is situated after having met the necessary residency requirements.
If there is no mosque or registered building in the registration district
in which you live, you will be permitted to marry in a building in
the nearest registration district that has one.
A superintendent registrar may also need to attend the ceremony. If
the building in which you intend to marry is not registered for the
solemnisation of marriages, you must arrange a civil ceremony beforehand
to comply with the requirements of the law.
A Muslim marriage is not a religious rite, but simply a legal agreement.
Divorce is not common among Muslims, although it is not forbidden
as a last resort. Before divorce is considered the couple are expected
to attempt to reconcile their differences in the first instance between
themselves. If this fails then a person from either family should
arbitrate the situation. If these attempts at reconciliation fail
and both parties agree then divorce can be considered as an option.
If after a divorce, a reunion occurs, it will be regarded as a new
marriage. However, there can be no more than two reunions. The third
divorce is the final one.
The Islamic religion recommends that a couple get to know each other
before marriage is considered, however they are not permitted to be
alone in a closed room or go out together unchaperoned. The parents
usually arrange marriages through recommendation, but the couple must
both be in agreement to the union.
Mahr is the marriage gift that a new wife is entitled to and no marriage
is regarded as being valid without it. It is a token commitment of
the husband and may be paid in cash, property or material goods or
can be non-material such as a commitment to teaching his wife to read
the Qur'an. The mahr may be paid immediately or deferred to a later
date. However, a deferred mahr is still due in the event of death
or divorce.
Marriage is considered to be a social activity as well as an act of
worship (ibadah). A Muslim marriage ceremony (called Al Nikah) begins
with an address of a marriage sermon (khutba-tun-nikah) by the officiator,
who can be any worthy Muslim. The sermon invites the bride and groom,
as well as their guests, to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness
and social responsibility. Beginning with the praise of Allah, His
help and guidance is sought. This is followed by the Muslim confession
of faith that 'There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and
Muhammad is His servant and messenger' is declared. Then the three
Qur'anic verses (Qur'an 4:1, 3:102, 33:70-71) and one prophetic saying
(hadith) forms the main text of the marriage. This hadith is:
'O by Allah! Among all of you I am the most God-fearing, and among
you all, I am the supermost to save myself from the wrath of Allah,
yet my state is that I observe prayer and sleep too. I observe fast
and suspend observing them; I marry woman also. And he who turns away
from my Sunnah has no relation with me'. (Bukhari).
The officiator concludes the ceremony with prayer (duOa) for the bride,
groom and their respective families, the local Muslim community and
the Muslim community at large (Ummah).
After the consummation of the marriage, the groom holds a celebration
banquet called a walima. The relatives, neighbours and friends are
invited in order to make them aware of the marriage.
|
