The Religion of Al-Islam and Marriage

Opinion of The Ulama In Relation To Marriage

The issue of an early marriage for the youth and the re-marriage for the widowed or divorced is of such importance that we could not neglect asking our leaders, the Maraja Taqlid for their advice and guidance. During the ghaybah of our 12th Imam, the Maraja are our link to the true teachings of Islam and thus, we have requested four of them to provide us with valuable spiritual guidance in this area.

We have requested Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid Ali al-Husaini as-Sistani, Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Khamenei, Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Lutfullah as-Safi al-Gulpaygani, and Ayatullah al- Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Nasir al-Makarim ash-Shirazi (may Allah keep them all under His protection) to guide the Shia Muslim community of the 'West' by answering the following questions:

"May the Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah (SwT) be upon you. With greetings to your Eminence and the hope that your obedience to Allah (SwT) and your worship of the Most High Truth are all accepted, please guide us in the below mentioned issues:

Question 1: In your humble opinion, please explain how important is it for the young person living (in particular) in the West to get married at an early age (according to the society they are living in and their own individual needs and financial capabilities). In addition to this, for that person who has lost his or her spouse (through death) or is separated from his spouse (through divorce) - please explain to us the importance of these two groups of people remarrying.

Question 2: Are there any Islamic legislations from the Noble Prophet (S) and the Infallible Leaders (as) by way of the noble ahadith or verses of the Quran in which we have been recommended to marry at an early age? Or is there anything in the hadith in which we have been advised to remarry after either divorce or the death of our spouse?

Question 3: If it is possible, can you please cite some historical events in which the Prophets, Aimmah or their great Companions encouraged widows or divorcees to remarry?

In closing, please remember the brothers and sisters of Canada and America in your supplications, especially the dear, valuable youth."

Opinion of Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid Ali al-Husaini as-Sistani

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer 1: Marriage in itself is a highly recommended act such that if a person fears that he/she will fall into a forbidden (haram) act, and the only way that he can prevent himself from committing that (forbidden) act is to get married, then it becomes obligatory (wajib) to get married.

Answer 2: It has been narrated from the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) that:

"The person who marries safeguards half of his religion."

And he (S) has also stated that:

"There is nothing that has benefited the Muslim after (accepting the religion of) al-Islam greater than marrying a Muslim woman. He becomes elated when he looks at her and she obeys him when he directs her to do something and she protects him (her husband) when he is not there in relation to her self and his wealth."

It has been narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad as- Sadiq (as) that:

"The two Rakat that a married person prays of his Salat is better than seventy Rakat that a bachelor performs."

Answer 3: It is sufficient to look at the code of conduct of the Noble Prophet of Islam (S) after the death of Khadijah (as) and the code of conduct of Amir al-Mominin Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) after the death of Siddiqatul Kubra (as).

Office of Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid Ali al-Husaini as-Sistani [25th of Safar, 1423 (April 28, 2003)]

Opinion of Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Khamenei

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Salam Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Answer (to Questions 1, 2, & 3): Marriage is one of the highly recommended acts (in Islam) and that which has been mentioned by way of encouragement in getting married and the perils of not getting married are too much to enumerate (in the ahadith). From our master, Imam al-Baqir (as), it has been related that he said:

"The Prophet of Allah (S) has said, "There is no structure in Islam which is more loved by Allah (SwT) that that of marriage."

In addition, our master, Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as) has said, "Two Rakat of Salat of a married person is better than seventy Rakat of Salat of a bachelor and it is not good that marriage should be delayed due to poverty or other (material) needs…"

It has been narrated from the Noble Prophet (S) that, "The person who delays marriage due to fear of poverty, or other such reasons has had negative thoughts about Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)."

May you all be successful and assisted (by Him).

Office of Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj as-Sayyid Ali al-Husaini Khamenei

Opinion of Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Lutfullah as-Safi al-Gulpaygani

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Answer (to Questions 1, 2 & 3): Nikah (marriage) is one of the highly recommended acts in Islam which we have been commanded to observe in the Noble Quran and according to the noble ahadith of the Messenger, marriage is counted as being from the Sunnah of the Noble Prophet (S), which Muslims must not turn away from. It has been narrated from the Infallibles (as) that if a person marries, he has safe-guarded half of his religion and in other narrations, he has safe-guarded one-third of his religion.

In this regards, there is no difference if this happens to be a person's first marriage or after separation from his spouse, he or she remarries. In addition, if a person fears that by not getting married, one will fall into sin and transgression (of the laws of Allah), then it becomes obligatory upon one to get married. And Allah (SwT) knows best.

May you all be successful, Lutfullah Safi
 [ SEAL ]

9th Dhul Qadah, 1423 11th of January, 2003

Office of Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Lutfullah as-Safi al-Gulpaygani

Opinion of Ayatullah al- Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Nasir al-Makarim ash-Shirazi

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

After greetings and salutations to you all,

Answer (to Questions 1 & 2): There are various verses within the Noble Quran, and in addition, countless ahadith from all of the respected Masumin (as) in which they have recommended and encouraged those who are single to keep alive the Sunnah (tradition) of the Noble Prophet (S) and to get married as this act safeguards half of a person's faith.

These sorts of verses of the Quran and ahadith are in both in relation to those youth who have not yet gotten married (for the first time), and even those men and women who were married in the past however at the present time, are once again single (for whatever reasons).

Answer (to Question 3): This issue has taken place many, many times during the lifetime of the Prophet of Islam (S) and the Pure and Sinless Aimmah (as).

And may the peace and blessings of Allah (SwT) be upon all of you.

Office of Ayatullah al- Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Nasir al-Makarim ash-Shirazi