Marriage in Islam

Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum. I have heard people saying that a Sunni and Shiite cannot marry. What is the Islamic ruling on this? Can a Sunni Man Marry a Shiite Lady? JazakumAllahu Khayran.

My Sheikh! As-Salam `Alaykum ! Is it lawful to divorce my wife because she is my cousin, both on the paternal and maternal sides, to save the offspring from any potential contagious disease?

As-Salamu `alaykum. I heard that if a woman and a man verbally agree to get married and agree on her dower, they are married in the eyes of Allah without the need of a sheikh to be present. But that is only temporary until they go to a sheikh and get officially married. Is that true? Can they be married in the eyes of Allah if they only agree verbally and he gives her the dower?

What is the Islamic ruling on marriage? And when it is deemed obligatory?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. We recently got married in a US court, even though we haven’t started living together. I want to know do we also need to do an Islamic nikah ceremony or is our marriage valid? Can we start living together? Jazakum Allah khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. I’m a Muslimah. I know and agree that I should marry a Muslim. I come from a Syed (member of the Prophet’s) family, and my parents (especially my father) believe that a woman from a Syed family can only marry a Syed. I really do not understand this because he believes that other "regular" Muslims, as he refers to them, are not given this privilege to marry a Syed and that Syed women are like their mothers. I am confused. I thought all Muslims were equal and I even read a Hadith that a father should not reject an acceptable suitor. I know that certain families have preferences, but this is beyond that because in my family it doesn't matter what family a suitor is from as long as he is Syed. This restriction is placed only on women, though in some Syed families the men are also restricted. Please tell me if there is such a thing and if it has any meaning.

I got acquainted with a foreign lady who embraced Islam and because it was impossible for us to meet in our own country to marry, I traveled to another country to meet her. In that country we, to our surprise, discovered that it was impossible to contract our marriage due to legal reasons. We were told that we could marry ourselves and take Allah as a witness to our marriage. Her family and mine know about our marriage, for I had requested her hand in marriage from her mother who subsequently consented. Thus, we married without a guardian or witnesses, thinking that it was correct, and lived as husband and wife. What is the ruling on what we have done?

Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it fard (obligatory) to get married? Jazakum Allah khayran.

I would like to know what Islam says regarding Prenuptial Agreements. I am a Muslim girl and the Muslim boy I may marry would like me to sign a Prenuptial agreement. Although he has not made it a condition for marriage (he will still marry me if I do not agree to one), he says he would like to protect himself and his property in the event of a divorce.Is it okay to agree to such a contract? Is there an Islamic alternative to a Prenuptial Agreement? Even though I know he is a reasonable person, I am a little offended that he has even asked me to sign such an agreement. Does a Muslim man have the right to ask a woman to sign a Prenuptial Agreement? Your advice will be much appreciated on this issue.

I would like to know the Islamic legal ruling as well as the different opinions regarding marrying a woman whom one impregnated through adultery?

Dear Sheikh, As-Salamu `alaykum. I want to ask about the household stuff list (Al-Qa'imah) we make in Egypt before marriage, but I don't know what is the fair things to write. The situation is: the groom contributes in preparing a marital house, say, for instance, he chooses to furnish two rooms and provide other things, (carpets, for example), while the bride provides two rooms and other things (electric equipments, kitchen, etc). What is the Islamic ruling on this? Thanks in advance.

I have observed that the entourage during wedding ceremonies—like bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer, maid of honor, coin bearer, best man and the like—is a common practice among Muslims in the Philippines. It includes dancing and singing during the walimah (wedding feast). However, I doubt whether these are in accordance with Islamic rites. May I know the typical wedding ceremony in the Islamic perspective?

Dear respected sheikhs, as-salamu `alaykum. I was surprised by the talk of some women. I know them to be God-fearing, and I hear their husbands are righteous and pious. However, they complained greatly and painfully about their husbands. They said that their husbands are selfish, rude, unkind towards them and treat them as slaves. One of them said to his wife, when she was giving him advice, “A woman should never be listened to unless she invites her husband to prayer or fasting.” I know this is not the Islamic way of treatment and mutual respect between husband and wife. What do you have to say about this issue? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Is a person allowed to marry his mother-in-law if he divorces her daughter?Notes: the lady is no longer his mother-in-law now.

Dear scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. My question is, if the nikah (Islamic marriage contract) of a woman took place during her period, is it valid? Jazakum Allah khayran.

Dear scholars, As-Salaam `Alaykum. What are the criteria for choosing life partner in the light of golden teachings of Islam? Jazakum Allah khayran.

I would like to know what is the concept of mahr in Islam? What should be the mahr for someone living in California, USA? I am getting married soon and my in-laws would like the mahr to be set according to the Shari`ah.

Dear scholars, please shed some  light  on the questions.Is it possible for a man to have first wife in his country of residence and second wife abroad? Can  he still keep equality between them if he cannot spend equal time with them?Can the second wife voluntarily waive her rights like time together with her husband etc?Is it possible to keep second marriage in secret to protect first family from emotional stress and don't create tension in the family?