The Official Website of Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

Marriage is one of the recommended deeds in Islam and if someone fears sinning if they don't get married marriage becomes obligatory upon them. There are basically two kinds of marriage in Islam a timeless marriage which is called permanent marriage and a temporary marriage which is valid for a certain period of time and which is called Mut‘ah. Now, how does marriage take place? In both kinds of marriage the recitation of the marriage formula is necessary and it can be recited by the couple themselves or by their representatives. The formula must be recited in correct Arabic. However, if the man or woman cannot recite it in Arabic they can recite it in their own language but they should make sure to use the exact translation of the Arabic marriage formula. A few necessary points 1. The man and woman should be getting married willingly without anyone having forced them in to marriage. 2. The marriage between a sayyid and non- sayyid is legally permitted and would frequently take place at the time of the infallibles. 3. The marriage of Shia men with Sunni women is permitted. 4. If there is a fear that the faith of a Shia woman or her future children will be in danger by marrying a Sunni man this marriage is not permitted. And 5. The temporary or permanent marriage of a Muslim man with a woman who is of the ahl al-kitāb is permitted.