Can You Get Married During Ramadan? Exploring Tradition and Considerations

Marriage is a very important practice in Islam. It is sometimes obligatory, sometimes sunnah, and sometimes nafal. But is there any relationship between any month and the validity of marriage? The question that arises in the minds of many is, “Can you get married during Ramadan?

In short, yes, you can get married in Ramadan. There is no prohibition in Islam that you cannot get married just because it is the month of Ramadan.

If you have any doubts about this, then let us see what the respected Islamic scholars say in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Importance of Ramadan and Position of Marriage in Islam

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Ramadan is the month of revelation of the Qur’an. In this month, Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala revealed the Holy Book, the Qur’an, to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

During this month, Muslims around the world fast all day. From dawn to sunset, eating, sexual intercourse, and many other halal acts are completely prohibited for Muslims

On the other hand, marriage is a central tradition in Islam. It is a sacred bond for Muslim men and women from Allah Ta’ala. Since daytime sexual intercourse between husbands and wives is prohibited during Ramadan, many believe that marriage may also be prohibited during Ramadan. But is it really? Let’s find out.

Can You Get Married During Ramadan? The Views of Islam According to the Qur’an and Sunnah

Importance of Ramadan and Position of Marriage in Islam

Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala says in the Qur’an- 

“….then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you – [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one -…..” [Surah An-Nisa, 4:3]

The essence of a hadith of Sahih Bukhari is as follows-

“Narrated by Anas Ibn Malik (RA). He said, “A group of three people came to the house of the Prophet’s (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) wives to inquire about the Prophet’s (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) ‘Ibadah.’

When they came to know about his (s) worship, they said that their worship was nothing compared to that of the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him).

So one of them decided to pray all night long, another to fast all his life, and the last one to leave the company of women.

Then the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) came to them and said, 

“Are you the people who spoke such and such words?” By Allah! I fear Allah more than you and am more loyal to Him than you, but I observe the fast and refrain from it. I pray, go to sleep, and marry women.” [Reference:  Sahih al-Bukhari: 5063]

According to both of these references, IslamWeb and Islamqa.info say there is no prohibition on marrying during Ramadan. 

All praises be to Allah, and Allah knows the best. 

Ruling on Sexual Intercourse in Ramadan Between a Husband and Wife

According to the interpretation of Ibn Kathir in Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 

In the early days of Islam, fasting and sexual intercourse were permitted after breaking the fast until Esha prayer. But when they sleep, eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse used to become forbidden for them. As a result, the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him) were suffering. As a result, the following verse was revealed.

“It is lawful for you to go in unto your wives during the night preceding the [day’s] fast: they are as a garment for you, and you are as a garment for them. Allah is aware that you would have deprived yourselves of this right, and so He has turned unto you in His mercy and removed this hardship from you. Now, then, you may lie with their skin to skin, and avail yourselves of that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until you can discern the white streak of dawn against the blackness of night, and then resume fasting until nightfall; but do not lie with them skin to skin when you are about to abide in meditation in mosques……” [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:187]

Hazrat Umar Ibn Khattab (RA) had sexual intercourse with his wife after the Esha prayer. Then, he appeared in the court of the Prophet (PBUH) and narrated this incident. As a result, this verse of mercy was revealed. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

So, from this verse of the Qur’an and the interpretation, we are assured that Muslims can not only marry in Ramadan but also have sexual intercourse from sunset to dawn. 

Our Opinions on Weddings in Ramadan

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can you get married in Ramadan?” However, some people have different concerns. 

Many people think they can’t control themselves from sexual intercourse with their new wives, even in the daytime of Ramadan. If you think such an issue may arise, the expectations are big, like freeing up slaves, fasting for 60 consecutive days, or feeding 60 poor people. 

If you break one fast in 60 days, you must start immediately. 

So, if you fear this situation may arise after getting married during Ramadan, you can refrain from getting married during this holy month. 

But remember again, there is no prohibition on getting married during Ramadan. Even if you have sexual intercourse or break the fast during Ramadan for any other invalid reasons, you have to do the expiations mentioned above. 

So, suggesting you get married outside of Ramadan is just our own suggestion if you fear you can’t control yourself. Nothing else. This is certainly your choice, not the Islamic ruling on getting married in Ramadan. 

Final Thoughts

So, can you get married during Ramadan? Yes, you can. You just need to control yourself from having sexual intercourse during the fasting. Otherwise, you have to go through severe expiations.

On the other hand, you can have sexual intercourse with your wife/husband at night- after sunset and before dawn. 

Certainly, Allah knows the best.

Omar Abdullah

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