a. Marriage is highly recommended but not
obligatory.
b. Plurality of wives is forbidden.
c. Marriage is conditioned upon both parties
having attained the age of maturity which is fixed
at 15.
d. Marriage is conditioned on the consent of both
parties and their parents, whether the woman be a
maiden or not.
e. It is incumbent upon both parties to recite a
specifically revealed verse indicating their being
content with the will of God.
f. Marriage with one's stepmother is forbidden.
g. All matters related to marriage with one's
kindred are to be referred to the House of
Justice.
h. Marriage with unbelievers is permitted.
i. Betrothal:
i. The period of engagement must not exceed
95 days.
ii. It is unlawful to become engaged to a
girl before she reaches the age of maturity.
j. The Dowry:
i. Marriage is conditioned on payment of a
dowry.
ii. The dowry is fixed at 19 mit{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}qals of
pure gold for city-dwellers, and 19
mit{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}qals of silver for village-dwellers,
depending on the permanent residence of the
husband, and not of the wife.
iii. It is forbidden to pay more than 95
mit{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}qals.
iv. It is preferable that a man content
himself with the payment of 19 mit{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}h{~COMBINING MACRON BELOW~}qals of
silver.
v. If the full payment of dowry is not
possible the issue of a promissory note is
permissible.
k. Should either party, following the recital of
the specifically revealed verse and the payment of
the dowry, take a dislike to the other before the
marriage is consummated, the period of waiting is
not necessary prior to a divorce. The taking back
of the dowry, however, is not permitted.
l. The husband must fix for his wife the time of
his return when intending to travel. If, for a
legitimate reason, he is prevented from returning
at the appointed time, he must inform her and
strive to return to her. If he fails to fulfil
either condition, she must wait 9 months, after
which she may remarry, though it is preferable for
her to wait longer. If news of his death or murder
reaches her, and the news is confirmed by general
report or by 2 reliable witnesses, she may remarry
after the lapse of 9 months.
m. If the husband departs without informing his
wife of the date of his return, and is aware of
the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the wife
may remarry after waiting a full year. If the
husband is unaware of this law, the wife must wait
until news of her husband reaches her.
n. Should the husband, after the payment of the
dowry, discover that the wife is not a virgin, the
refund of the dowry and of the expenses incurred
may be demanded.
o. If the marriage has been conditioned on
virginity the refund of the dowry and of the
expenses incurred may be demanded and the marriage
invalidated. To conceal the matter, however, is
highly meritorious in the sight of God.