The purpose of Marriage:
The general purpose of marriage is for couples to provide company to one another, love to one another, procreate children and live in peace and tranquility to the commandments of Allah.It serves as a means to emotional and sexual gratification and as a means of tension reduction.
According to an Islamic scholar "Marriage is "mithaq" - a solemn covenant (agreement). It is not a matter which can be taken lightly. It should be entered into with total commitment and full knowledge of what it involves. It is not like buying a new dress where you can exchange it if you don't like it. Your partner should be your choice for life. One should be mature enough to understand the demands of marriage so that the union can be a lasting one. For a marriage to be valid certain conditions must be met.
1) consent of both parties.
2) " Mahr" a gift from the groom to his bride.
3) Witnesses
4) The marriage should be publicized, it should never be kept secret as it leads to suspicion and troubles within the community.
According to Imams Abu Hanifah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Malik ibn Anas, A man should not marry if he does not possess the means to maintain a wife and future family, or if he has no sex drive or if dislikes children, or if he feels marriage will seriously affect his religious obligation.
The choice of a partner should be the one with the most "taqwa" (piety). The prophet recommended the suitors see each other before going through with marriage. It is unreasonable for two people to be thrown together and be expected to relate and be intimate when they know nothing of each other. The couple are permitted to look at each other with a critical eye and not a lustful one. This ruling does not contradict the ayah which says that believing men and women should lower their gaze.
According to Prof. 'Abdur Rahman I."Allah has created men and women as company for one another, and so that they can procreate and live in peace and tranquility according to the commandments of Allah and the directions of His Messenger.
