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Dating, Courtship And Marriage In Islam

Since there are many misconceptions about Islam and we have two active Muslim members here (Both singles by the way ) I am very curious about the following:

1. Are you allowed to ask any girl out? What I mean by that is, in some traditional families in India (Hinduism) the parents arranged the marriages for their children. Is it the same in Islam?

2. I heard there is not such a thing as "Dating", basically when you meet the person you want to marry you pretty much do that right away without a period of dating or courting, is that true?

3. Are you allowed as a Muslim to date/marry a non-Muslim? If you are, how is that seen?

4. How a traditional Muslim wedding is like?

Thanks in advance.

Islam Marriage Courtship Dating

1. Arranged marriages and so called "Love marriages" are both common in muslim communities and there is no objection to both as long as they are with consent.

2. Its a bit complicated. You are not allowed to be romantically involved with anyone unless you are married to them. There is a sort of "Dating" where couples may get to know each other before marriage in the presence of a chaperone. In Shi'ite jurisprudence there is an extra option called "Mut'a" which is a contractual partnership or "Temporary marriage" where couples can see each other for a limited time before permanent marriage. This is most common amongst Iranis and Iraqis who use this as a method of "Courting".

3. Men are allowed to marry "People of the Book" ie. Christians and Jews and Sabians (And Zoroastrians). Other than these it is impermissible.

4. Different cultures have their own traditions. The minimum that is required is the pronouncement of the marriage formula. The woman or her agent initiate the formula with the words "I have made myself your wife on the agreed mahr(Dowry)" the man or his agent immediately reply "I accept the marriage". This is basically it and the couple are officially married.

That was the Shi'ite method. No witnesses are required. Sunnis may require 2 witnesses to be present.

Dating, Courtship And Marriage In Islam Islam Studies

I have always seen marriage in Islam as the man being dominant and the woman is treated like an option. I am not saying she is not loved or appreciated but Islam favors the man to have many wives and to decide how they are cared for and which one he dedicates his time to.

Islam Marriage Courtship Dating

I would never be in any relationship where I thought I was just an option in one of many marriages. Sorry, maybe I am too western, but I could not. Lets say if this was reversed, could the men do it? One woman and many husbands… bet they couldn't.