When Is the Best Time to Get Married?

Islamic marriage is allowed without restriction throughout the year, day or night, at whatever time the couple wishes.

Even during the blessed period of Ramadan, it is entirely possible to get married because nothing prohibits it in the Muslim religion. The wedding ceremony will need to be scheduled in the evening after the fast (iftar) has been broken.

Of course, sexual relations between spouses are forbidden from sunrise to sunset (Quran 2:187).

There is one restriction on the freedom to get married any time in Islam. It has to do with the state of sacralization (Ihram). Muslims who wish to make a major pilgrimage (Hajj) or minor pilgrimage (Umrah) must get into a state of sacralization (Ihram) for a certain period of time.

Ihram consists of a series of rituals that must be done in order to make the pilgrimage (Hajj or Umrah) correctly. Certain acts are prohibited for people who are in a state of sacralization (Ihram).

In a state of sacralization, in the Maliki, Hanafi, Hanbali and Shafi’i schools, it is forbidden to do acts that precede sexual intercourse, such as kissing and anything leading up to sexual relations. It is also prohibited to have sexual relations while in a state of sacralization (Quran 2:197).

Lastly, it is prohibited in these schools to propose marriage or to get married during this period.

For the Hanafi school, one can get married during this period, but the marriage cannot be consummated as long as the state of sacralization lasts.

Si le mariage musulman est permis sans restriction tout au long de l’année, certaines pèriodes sont recommandées comme étant un moment favorable.

• Month of Shawwal

The month of Shawwal is a recommended time for marriage since it is reported in the Sunnah that the Prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم got married and consummated his marriage to Aisha during the month of Shawwal (Muslim Hadith 1423, Tirmidhi Hadith 1093).

• Friday

Friday is a day recommended for marriage since it is the most blessed day of the week.