RULES OF SHARIAH GOVERNING MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE - Part 1

One commonly known aspect of Nikah (marriage) is that of a mutual transaction and contract similar to transactions in buying and selling, and in loans and payments. The second aspect is that of Sunnah and Ibadah. On this, there is a consensus of the whole Ummah that Nikah, being far above ordinary transactions and contracts, has the status of Ibadah and Sunnah, (the act of worshipping Allah and following in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet ﷺ). Therefore, in Shariah, there are some conditions attached to Nikah, which are not attached to ordinary contracts and transitions of buying and selling. 

The first restriction that Shariah has placed on Nikah is that Nikah can not take place between any man and any woman. Governing this there is an absolute law of the Shariah under which specific categories of men and women cannot be joined together in the bond of marriage.

Continued...

From Ma'ariful Quran, Interpretation of Surah al-Baqarah, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi RE