Microsoft Word Marriage Guide doc

Source: 
www.al-islamforall@org
 
54
If the wife chooses to go 'on the Pill,' remember that there are sometimes side-
effects, and that it is not always advisable to take a drug over a long period of time. Taking 
the Pill is often recommended for new wives because it is relatively safe and foolproof, but 
doctors often recommend taking a break from it after a couple of years. 
Some varieties of the Pill are not permissible in the view of those madhhabs that 
regard all abortion as sinful, as they cause the fertilised egg to be dislodged and lost, which 
is a kind of early abortion. 'Morning-after' pills are of this type, killing the embryo after 
fertilization has taken place. 
Taking the body temperature regularly can indicate the times when ovulation is most 
likely; and avoiding these times is the most natural method of contraception. However this 
'rhythm' method is notoriously unreliable-and because of its favour among Catholics it has 
been nicknamed 'Vatican Roulette'! Remember, too, that most women feel most sexual 
desire at the very time when they are ovulating, so other means must be taken if they are 
to have a satisfactory sex life. 
Contract. 
An Islamically-valid marriage requires the fulfillment of five obligatory 
conditions: (1) the consent of the guardian (or in his absence, or unjust refusal, the 
qadi); (2) the consent of the man and the woman; (3) the agreed upon dower (mahr); 
(4) two Muslim witnesses of good character (shahiday adl); (5) an 'offer and immediate 
acceptance' (ijab wa-qubul) using the word 'marriage' or 'wedding.' Practices which are 
sunnah but not obligatory are: (1) the engagement proposal (khitbah) made earlier to 
the guardian or in his presence; (2) the religious speech (khutbah) before the marriage; 
(3) the bride and groom should see each other and learn about each other before consent 
is given; (4) friends and relations should attend the ceremony; (5) the couple should 
intend 'upholding the sunnah, preserving modesty and seeking offspring'; (6) the 
ceremony should ideally take place in the local mosque and during the month of 
Shawwal.