Marriage in Islam
الزواج في الإسلامFrom finding a spouse to building a righteous household — guided by the Quran and Sunnah
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةًۭ وَرَحْمَةً
“And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy.”
Quran 30:21
تُنكَحُ المرأةُ لأربعٍ: لمالِها، ولحَسَبِها، ولجمالِها، ولدينِها، فاظفَرْ بذاتِ الدِّينِ تَرِبَتْ يداكَ
A woman is married for four things: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion. Choose the one with religion — may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e., may you prosper).
The same applies when choosing a husband. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If there comes to you one whose religion and character please you, then marry (your daughter/ward) to him. If you do not do so, there will be fitnah (tribulation) on earth and widespread corruption."
Looking at a Potential Spouse
It is permissible — and encouraged — to see the person you intend to marry. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah wanted to marry a woman, and the Prophet ﷺ told him:
"Go and look at her, for that is more likely to create harmony between you."
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"When one of you proposes to a woman, if he is able to look at what will encourage him to marry her, he should do so."