Are There Times When Marriage Is Prohibited?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: I’m getting married a few days after the end of Ramadan and someone said one shouldn’t get married between the two ‘Eids. Is this true?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

Religiously, this is baseless. There is nothing to indicate that marriage between the two Eids is disliked or prohibited.

Rather, it is established that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) married `A’isha (Allah be well pleased with her) in the month of Shawwal, which falls between the two Eids. [Muslim]

Due to this, Imam Nawawi states, “This narration indicates the recommendation of marrying, being married off, and consummating the marriage during Shawwal.” [Sharh Sahih Muslim]

The only scenario where contracting marriage is not valid is when one is in a state Ihram, according to the Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools. The Hanafis permit it even here though they prohibit consummation of the marriage in such a state.

This goes to show that according to the Hanafi school, contracting the marriage is permitted at any time, while according to the the other three schools it is permitted any time except when in a state of Ihram.

Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani