What are the foundational evidences for the legal establishment (Mashru'iyyah) of marriage?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Marriage
Primary text
The foundation for the legality of marriage rests upon the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Consensus of the Muslims. The evidence from the Quran includes the permission to marry up to four women: {So marry what pleases you of women, two or three or four} (Quran 4:3), and the command to marry off single men and women: {And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves} (Quran 24:32). The primary evidence from the Sunnah is the Prophet's (peace be upon him) instruction: "O company of young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him marry, for it restrains the gaze and guards chastity; and whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him" (Agreed upon sources). Muslims are unanimously agreed upon the permissibility of marriage.