Islam on weddings…
 

In Islam, marriages are not considered to be 'made in heaven' between 'soul-mates' destined for each other; they are not sacraments. They are social contracts which bring rights and obligations to both parties, and can only be successful when these are mutually respected and cherished.

Islam is realistic, and aware that many marriages go wrong and break down for all sorts of reasons. It is not assumed that a couple will remain together 'till death do us part'. However celibacy is disapproved, as it may lead to all sorts of psychological and physical tensions and problems.

One difference between Islam and other faiths is that to this day a man may have more than one wife, up to the limit of four wives simultaneously - so long as it is not done to the detriment and hurt of the existing Muslim partner(s). Muslim women are required to have only one husband at a time - they may still marry more than one man in a lifetime, but consecutively.

A Muslim husband has to agree a financial deal with the prospective wife before marriage. This money present is known as the mahr, and is a payment made to the bride which is hers to keep and use as she wishes. The reason is that even if the girl has nothing, she becomes a bride with property of her own.