COVER STORY
When Can I Get Married?
M
BY PASHMINA RASHAD
ost Muslims have grown up hearing the dictum that marriage completes half of their faith. Yes, this institution is the only legitimate path to becoming parents, and Islam teaches that it will protect people from sin. Many Muslims reach young adulthood and start feeling the weight of cultural expectations regarding marriage, whereas others may feel the internal pull of wanting a partner to meet emotional, logistical and sexual needs in a way that is allowed by and pleasing to God. What many future spouses don’t know, however, is that very real steps need to be taken before considering marriage or finding that perfect mate. Being ready is about much more than just being old enough and having the financial means. Well before we can sign up for “match made in Jannah (Heaven),” we must understand the Quranic model for marriage, intentionally cultivate the building blocks of a healthy partnership and ensure
that there are no valid reasons to delay getting married. As with all other aspects of life, the Quran provides humanity with a blueprint not only for what a healthy marriage entails, but also for who we need to be to build it. When speaking about finding a partner, most of us think about the qualities we want in a potential spouse. Very few of us, however, consider whether we have cultivated in
18 ISLAMIC HORIZONS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
ourselves the habits and attributes needed to fulfill our core responsibilities of marriage as prescribed by Islam. In their guide for couples, “Before You Tie the Knot: A Guide for Couples” (2014), Salma Abugideiri and Imam Mohamed Hag Magid outline the core Quranic values that serve as the cornerstones of marriage: equality, love, mercy and mutual tranquility. They wisely suggest that each partner must take
