Nikah is the Arabic word for marriage. The literal meaning of Nikah is, union, union of man and woman. Literally called Nikah or marriage. According to Islamic Sharia law, marriage is a legally binding and social contract between a man and a woman.
Marriage in Islam is a Sunnah or ideal of Muhammad and it is strongly recommended to marry in Islam. In the eyes of Islam, marriage is not just a means of fulfilling biological needs - but a great act of worship. It is a part of religious discipline and ritual.
Rasulullah (SAW) declared in an unequivocal voice, marriage is my Sunnah. Whoever turns away from my Sunnah is not of our group. (Sunanu Ibni Majah, Hadith No. 1919)
Just as Islam has guidelines for everything, there are also many restrictions for marriage.
The right time and right method of marriage is to marry a suitable bride at a suitable age as per the decision of the parents after the wife attains the ability to support herself.
It is of particular importance in terms of family and social peace and security. Getting married prematurely without the knowledge of the guardian is absolutely wrong.
Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, 'Marriage does not take place without guardians. (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1101; Abu Dawud, Hadith: 2083)
This is because, from the point of view of family values, the opinions of family members and clan status are important in family bonding. Also in marriage without guardian sometimes 'kufu' (equality) is not preserved. In that case, the clan is insulted. So parents are given some rights in this regard.
And guardianless marriage or clandestine marriage is unsocial and ungrateful. This is why Islam does not like secrecy in marriage. Therefore, the instruction of Islam is, "Marriage should be announced." (Musnad Ahmad: 4/5)
Even so, if someone is driven by wrongful lust and gets married in the presence of at least two witnesses, then the marriage will be pure in the eyes of the Shari'ah. But it is totally inappropriate from family and social point of view.
