Marriage in Islam

Marriage In Islam

In Islam, marriage is a contract (Standard Arabic: عقد القران; Egyptian Arabic: كتب الكتاب Katb el-Ketāb; Urdu: ‎ Nikahnama) between a man and woman to live as husband and wife. A formal, binding contract is considered integral to a religiously valid Islamic marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom and bride. The marriage must be declared publicly. Divorce is permitted and can be initiated by either party.

In addition to the usual marriage until death or divorce, there is a different fixed-term marriage known as Nikāḥ al-Mutʿah ("temporary marriage") permitted only by Twelvers (a branch of Shia Islam) for a pre-fixed period which is not recognized and frowned upon by other branches of Islam.

Homosexuality is widely considered a sin in Islam. Same-sex marriages hence are usually not performed or permitted. However, there are reformist movements within Islam arguing that, while homosexual lust is a sin, homosexual love is not. A mosque in Paris plans to offer blessings for same-sex marriages.