How to Consummate a Marriage in Islam
If you are considering a marriage in Islam, there are several things you should keep in mind before the consummation. The first step is to make sure you treat your bride in the right manner. It is advisable to touch her head gently and make du’a, a prayer for her wellbeing, which is reported by Ibn ‘Abbas.
‘A’ishah
In Islam, the consummation of a marriage takes place after the couple spends a sufficient amount of time together in private. This is different from Western custom, which considers the marriage consummated after the couple has sexual intercourse. However, some scholars differ about the minimum amount of physical intimacy necessary to consummate a marriage.
Muslims view marriage as a serious undertaking. It can lead to intellectual, emotional, and spiritual fulfillment. When done properly, a marriage can lead to a long and harmonious life. Islam also provides a framework for resolving marital difficulties. It establishes clear roles and responsibilities, which can ensure the wellbeing of the whole family.
To become married, both parties must be of legal age and mature enough to engage in sexual intercourse. If they are not of the legal age, intercourse during menstruation is not permissible. In addition, there must be mutual aversion and a period of customary being alone together. If the partner does not wish to remain together after the marriage, they may decide to divorce the relationship.
‘A’ishah’s contracting marriage
Among the many controversial aspects of the Prophet Muhammad’s life, his contracting marriage to A’ishah has long been criticized in the west. Such a union, if it took place today, would be considered child abuse or paedophilia. In this context, the reaction to the Prophet’s marriage is not surprising.
The first criticism is based on the fact that the Prophet was nearly fifty years older than A’ishah when they married. She was six years old at the time of the marriage and nine years old at the time of the consummation. This is a clear violation of shari’ah.
During the marriage, the Prophet and his daughters were with Sawda for a period of time. At this time, they decided to contract marriage with ‘A’ishah (r). The Prophet would have otherwise been commanded to divorce A’ishah once the Qur’an had been revealed. Instead, he delayed the consummation of their marriage for another three years.
‘Idda period’
The ‘Idda period’ is a period during which a woman must wait before conceiving a child. Women who are divorced, widowed or separated must wait for three months and women who are pregnant must wait for four months and ten days. The main purpose of this time period is to avoid any doubts as to who the child’s father is later on.
In Islam, women must wait for the ‘idda period’ until they are at least four months and ten days pregnant. This time period is also required for women who are already pregnant or after miscarriage. Women must wait for the ‘iddat period’ during the period of three lunar months after conceiving. During this period, a woman must refrain from sexual intercourse with her husband – even if she has been separated from him for years.
‘Iddah
Islam provides full guidance on all aspects of daily life, including marriage. Its instructions on marriage are included in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith, the sayings of the Holy Prophet. Marriage is the basic unit of human society and lays the foundation for a healthy family. Hence, it is imperative for believers to marry, not only for the sake of their own happiness and well-being but also for the sake of the whole community.
In Islam, both the husband and wife have clear roles in a marriage. They must exercise mutual trust and cooperation. The husband is assigned to earn money outside the house and the wife is given the responsibility of caring for children.
‘Iddah’
According to Islam, marriage is a serious undertaking for both parties. In addition to satisfying physical needs, it also promotes moral and spiritual fulfillment. The guidelines for marriage are laid out in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith, or the sayings of the Holy Prophet. Marriage forms the basic unit of human society and lays the foundation for the family. A healthy family is necessary to maintain the cohesiveness of the human race. To this end, Allah commands believers to get married.
According to Islam, the consummation of a marriage takes place when the couple spends some time in privacy. However, it does not mean that intercourse is necessary. In contrast to Western culture, marriage in Islam does not involve intercourse. However, in the Shafie school, the actual act of intercourse must occur.