Nikah (Marriage) is one of the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) and that’s why Muslims should abide by this Sunnah of the Prophet. Allah’s Apostle at various places has advised Muslims to perform Nikah. Nikah lowers one’s gaze and develops piety. Instead of gazing around Na-Mehram, a Muslim should perform Nikah and spend a blissful life.

Allah has made the relationship of marriage for lawful pleasure.

QURAN
“It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).” (Chapter #25, Verse #54)

HADITH
Narrated Uqba bin Amir: Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) said, “From among all the conditions which you have to fulfill, the conditions which make it legal for you to have sexual relations (i.e. the marriage contract) have the greatest right to be fulfilled.” (Book #50, Hadith #882)

HADITH
Narrated ‘Uqba: The Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaho Alaihi Wasallam) said: “The stipulations most entitled to be abided by are those with which you are given the right to enjoy the (women’s) private parts (i.e. the stipulations of the marriage contract).” (Book #62, Hadith #81)
A Muslim man cannot marry a non-Muslim woman and likewise, a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man. If a non-Muslim man or woman accepts Islam (becomes Muslim) and believes in the One and Omnipotent Lord, then marriage is allowed with him/her.

QURAN
Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise. (Chapter #2, Verse #221)

Syeda Muneeba Masood