Pathway to Paradise — Page 51
PATH WAY TO PARADISE 51 your own choice personally, or requesting that the proper Jamaat authority recommend one. The guardian, who must be male, is responsible for protecting the legal, religious, social and marital rights of the bride. If any premarital counseling is required, the guardian acts in this capacity or arranges it. The Ahmadiyya Movement Marriage Department has a data - bank of eligible men and women. Information will be made available about the appropriate Ahmadi eligible in the category (age, etc. ) that would be of interest to you. If you are interested, ask your loc al Jamaat president how to contact the proper marriage secretary for placement of your name in the data bank. Naturally all information is strictly confidential. PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING MARRIAGE Allah has laid down prohibitions concerning marriage, and other aspects of relations between men and woman. There are certain people that a Muslim is not permitted to marry. These are listed in the Holy Qur’an (see 4:24 ), and include mother, father, sister, brother, aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces. However, Muslims are permitted to marry cousins. There are still other prohibited marriage relationships. For example, a man cannot marry his stepdaughter if he has cohabited with her biological mother. Nor can he have two sisters in marriage at the same time. (See Holy Qur’an, 4:23). Islam also makes clear whom a Muslim is allowed to marry as far as his/her religion is concerned. Marriage with an idolater is totally forbidden (see Holy Qur’an, 2:222) for both sexes.