When it comes to dressing and behavior, modesty and humility are ordained for both men and women. Muhammad (peace be upon him) has stated, “Every religion has an essential character and the essential character of Islam is modesty.” Islam: A Way of Life That Promotes Spirituality and Humanity A Muslim man may marry a Christian or Jew faith woman so long as she doesn’t practise Shirk and does not believe in anything that is forbidden in Islam. A Muslim man is Not permitted to get married to a non believing woman who practices any other faith such as Atheist, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and so on. Mahr (marriage-gift) to be paid by the groom to the bride either immediately (muajjal) or deferred (muakhkhar), or a combination of both

Marriage under Muslim Law : All you need to know - iPleaders Blog Marriage under Muslim Law : All you need to know - iPleaders Blog

Qadi (State appointed Muslim judge) or Ma’zoon (a responsible person officiating the marriage ceremony) usually the Imam. (However any trust worthy practicing Muslim can conduct the nikah ceremony, as Islam does not advocate priesthood.) In the study of world religions, you will usually find that Islam as we know it today to be listed as one of the newest religions and certainly the youngest of the so-called Abrahamic Faiths (after Judaism and Christianity). From a purely historical perspective, there is good reason for this. The Prophet Muhammad, who history sees as the founder of Islam, is a relatively more recent figure (d.632) which makes Islam, from this perspective, only 1,448 years old. From the perspective of sacred history, however, as Muslims would understand it from their reading of the Qur’anic worldview, Islam is the oldest religion even predating the creation of human beings. Muslims view Islam as the primordial religion of the universe. If this sounds too metaphysical, simply consider the meaning of Islam – willing surrender to and harmony with God’s Will, meaning divine teachings and preferences. From a Qur’anic perspective, this is covenant is not at all limited only to human beings. The sun, the moon, the clouds, the mountains, the trees, the entire heavens and earth are all described as being in a state of Islam or being Muslim. The marriage sermon (Khutbah-tun-Nikah) is a way of blessing the marriage and begins by praising Allah “There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His servant and messenger”, the Muslim confession of faith, is then declared. Interestingly, the Qur’an literally means “that which is recited” or more simply “the recital.” As such, the Qur’an has been and continues to be experienced first and foremost as an oral tradition through the beautiful human voice of recitation. To this day, thousands of Muslims memorize the Qur’an in its entirety. Every Muslim must memorize at least a little to carry out devotional acts. When the Qur’an is recited as it ought to be, there is nothing that comes close to its aural harmony even for non-Arabic speaking listeners. Every aya flows into the next aya to form one ocean. Listening to a professional reciter can be a very enchanting experience. So, despite the Qur’an’s shifting narratives, those who listen to the Qur’an experience it as an extraordinarily harmonious text. Content of the Qur’an

Prayer, Beyond Ritual

The most essential principle in Islam is the purely monotheistic belief in one God. God is the Creator of everything in the universe and is unique from His creation. Muslims are encouraged to develop a direct and personal relationship with God without any intermediaries. Muslims often refer to God as Allah, which simply means “God” in the Arabic language. Arabic-speaking Jews and Christians also refer to God as Allah. (Read more: Who is Allah?) The devotional acts can best be summarized with the five foundational pillars, through which Muslims are able to manifest their faith both inwardly and outwardly. The Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims in an authentic tradition ( hadith), “Islam is built upon five [pillars]: to bear witness that there is no god except the One God and to bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God; to establish prayer; to pay the almsgiving; to fast in the month of Ramadan; and to go on the great pilgrimage to the House [of God].” Shahadah – Testimony of Faith Fasting ( Sawm):Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, by refraining from eating, drinking, and sexual interaction from dawn to sunset. It is an act of self-restraint and spiritual cleansing that increases one’s empathy for the less fortunate and enables one to consciously control bad habits such as foul language, idle talk, and anger. Fasting also helps people develop strong willpower as they overcome the essential desires of their body and the damaging acts of their tongue. You will note that it is not essential to have the couple present in the same room during Nikah, just so long as the Wali and the Witnesses are there and have witnessed everything and the bride has given her consent and permission. She may remain silent .. Meaning it’s a Yes! She accepts. Announcement of the Nikah

Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) - SeekersGuidance Absolute Essentials of Islam (Hanafi) - SeekersGuidance

The Muslim holy book is called the Qur'an. Muslims believe this to be the word of Allah as dictated to Muhammad. O you who believe! Fear Allaah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allaah.)’

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To preserve the accuracy and sanctity of the revelations as the Prophet Muhammad received them, the Qur’an is only considered the Qur’an if it is in Arabic. Thus, anytime the Qur’an is used for ritual worship purposes like prayer it should be in Arabic. The intricacies of Arabic grammar and richness of meanings are often lost in translation. But translations do exist in English and many other languages and are very helpful for non-Arabic speaking Muslims or curious souls (although one should always be wary of inaccurate translations such as N.J. Dawood’s Penguin translation or the Noble Qur’an translated by Mohsin Khan). There is a high level of literary value in the Qur’an that becomes lost in accurate, yet awkwardly stilted translations. Often even non-Arabic speakers who hear recitations of the Qur’an are impressed and moved by its beautiful and enchanting rhyme and rhythm, and many non-Muslim Arabic speakers recognize the level of mastery in the language of the Qur’an. The practice of Temporary “Muta” marriage is widespread in the modern times and often arranged by Imams and other Islamic leaders in Europe, America (Shia parts of Dearborn, Michigan), and in the Middle east. It is commonly the destitute widows and orphaned girls that are within the clutches of temporary marriage who are often sold to old men. For the women, there is no desire or pleasure that drives them into such misery; it is the extreme means to pay the rent and feed themselves and their children. As a result, this arrangement has received widespread criticism by various countries as it impliedly encouraging legalization of prostitution. A man, the bridegroom doesn’t need to have a wali at the time of the wedding contract, rather the man is the one who goes into the wedding contract by himself. It is the lady who needs a wali, since the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon said, based on the hadeeth narrated by ‘Aa’ishah: “Any woman who gets married without a wali, her marriage is invalid, invalid, invalid.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1102; classed as hasan by Abu Dawood, 2083; Ibn Maajah, 1879. The Walima gives family members and friends the opportunity to congratulate the happy couple: the bride is congratulated by the women around her and by her family and friends; O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allaah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship) Surely, Allaah is Ever an All-Watcher over you).’ [al-Nisaa’ 4:1],