Worst still in the marriage of a mMuslim to a pagan or non-believer. Allah (SWT) outrightly forbade the believers from taking non-believers as marriage partners irrespective of their social status and physical make-up.

Allah (SWT) says: “do not marry pagan women until they believe (in Allah alone). In fact, a believing female slave (of Allah) is better than a pagan even if though the pagan woman may appeal to your emotional feelings: And do not marry pagan men until they believe (in Allah). Indeed, a believing male slave (of Allah) is better than a pagan even though he might thrill you in appearance. Those pagans invite you to hell fire whereas Allah invites you to Al-Jannah and to forgiveness, by His permission”. Q2:221.

All praises are due unto Allah, we praise Him, we seek His forgiveness, We beg for His divine assistance. We seek His refuge from our souls’ evil and our wrong doings. He whom Allah guides, none can lead astray, and he whom He misguides none can guide. I bear witness that there is no (true) deity worthy of worship except Allah-alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His ‘abd (servant) and messenger.

“O ye who believe, Fear Allah as He ought to be feared, and do not die except as muslims”. Q3:102.

“O ye mankind, reserve your Lord who has created you from a single soul, created from it his mate, and dispersed from both of them many men and women. Reserve Allah through whom you demand things from one another, and (cherished the ties of) the wombs. Indeed, Allah is ever watchful over you”. Q4:1.

“O ye who believe! Reserve Allah and say those words that are just (only).He will then rectifying your deeds and forgive your sins. He who obeys Allah and His messenger has certainly achieved a great victory”. Q33: 70-71.

Marriage (or Nikah) contract is enacted between a man and a woman for the purpose of mutual benefits and forming a good family. Marriage contract is the formal bond that turns who individuals from strangers to husband and wife; As a result of the marriage contract, many rights and obligations become imperative and many fruits become anticipated.Marriage contract is the most important contract that most people execute throughout their lives. Each marriage contact usually carries a lasting effect over a large number of individuals many of which are yet to be born. This contract joins families that never were in contact and the trend continues for as long as Allah destines.

Since marriage contract has such a great and solemn significance, it should therefore be born in mind that Islam imposes a number of guidelines that must be fulfilled before its real establishment. In view of the seriousness of the issue in marriage, the Holy Prophet (SAW) urged us to handle it with all seriousness it deserves. In an hadith related by Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and others; it was narrated by Abu Hurayrah that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said; “There are three matters that are considered serious in both serious and joking talks: marriage, divorce and returning (a wife who was divorced a non-terminal divorce)”.

This saying of the Holy Prophet (SAW) connotes that one shouldn’t cast a joke in those matters. It is wrong for Muslims brother to tell a sister that he wants to marry her and later renege claiming he was merely joking. In a similar vein, it does not behove a man to call a young (beautiful) girl or another woman his wife whereas he was just being casual; just like it is wrong to divorce a woman or return her in a jocular manner

In view of aforementioned essence of marriage contract, certain basic elements are therefore considered as prerogative of marriage before the contract is sealed. Thus, Islamic marriage contract has conditions, requirements pillars and optional elements.

To be continued