Pathway to Paradise — Page 52
PATH WAY TO PARADISE 52 However, men are allowed to marry women of the “people of the Book” (i. e. , those who follow a revealed scripture), although it is not considered preferable. Furthermore, you should be aware that the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) limited the category “people of the Book” to Jewish and Christian women. He has also prohibited Ahmadi women from marrying non - Ahmadi men. The reasoning behind this is very sound. A woman is not permitted to marry outside her faith because when she is in her husband’s home and environment, she and her children are exposed to non - Muslim and non - Ahmadi culture and practices. This makes it very difficult for her to remain steadfast in her own faith and bring up her children as Muslims. A man, on the other hand can more easily influence his wife and bring her into the Islamic way of life. THE ISLAMIC MARRIAGE CEREMONY There are a number of requirements for a marriage to be legal: Both man and woman must willingly consent to the marriage before it can take place. The marriage must be made public, with two witnesses from each side present at the ceremony. Islam does not allow secret marriages. The groom and the bride’s guardian must be present at the Nikah. The bride may or may not be present. The dower (mehr) is a mandatory gift from the husband to the wife. (See Holy Qur’an, 4:25). This sum should be proportionate to the husband’s means. The dower amount is