The Intentions of Marriage

The following are intentions one should have when entering into marriage. The intentions were
composed by the great Shaykh, the Arif of Allah, Ali bin Abi-Bakr as-Sakran, may Allah shower
them both with mercy.
I intend to enter into this marriage and take this wife (or husband) for the love of Allah Azza-wa-
Jall and to have children so that the human race shall continue. I also intend [to enter this
marriage] for the love of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, so that he may take pride in
it, as he said: Marry and increase in numbers, as I will take pride in you before other
nations on the Day of Judgement.
I have intended in this marriageand all the actions and words that come from itto be blessed by
the prayer of a pious child; or for his intercession if he dies young before me. I have intended by this
marriage to protect myself from Satan, by breaking the desire, [and thus] breaking the temptations
of Satan, to lower the gaze, and reduce the Wiswas (withdrawing whisperer). I have also intended to
protect my private parts from lewdness (illegal intercourse).
I have intended in this marriage the amusement of the self and to bring joy to it through by
companionship (with my spouse); looking, and playing freely and to bring comfort to the heart and
strengthening it for worship.
I have intended in this marriage the relief of the nafs and cherish it through companionship, the
pleasure that comes through gazing at ones spouse, mutual foreplay, the repose that floods the
heart and strengthening it for worshiping.
I have intended by it, the relieving of the heart from the worries of housekeeping, cooking,
sweeping, making the bed, cleaning the dishes and taking care of lively duties.
I have intended by this marriage, to struggle with the nafs and to train it through care and
guardianship, to fulfill the rights of the family and to be patient with their characters, to endure the
harm that comes from them, to work towards making them good, to guide them to the religious
path, to struggle to seek lawful earnings for them, to command them to discipline the children by
also asking from Allah for it and success for his sake and to drop between his hands and to show the
excessive need towards Him in gaining it. I have intended all the previous for Allah Almighty.
I have intended all the previous and more from whatever I control, say and do in this marriage for
Allah Almighty.
I have intended in this marriage whatever Your righteous servants and Your acting scholars have
intended.
Allahumma, give us success as you have given them, help us as you have helped them. Overlook our
shortcomings, accept [this] from us and do not entrust us to ourselves, even for the blink of an eye.
Make good for us, all of the previous, by Your Grace and Generosity in good and in good health.
Allahumma, forgive us and have mercy upon us, be content with us and accept from us. Enter us
into paradise and save us from the hell fire and make good all of our affairs. Allahumma, grant me
in everythingin this marriage and all of my affairsYour Help, Blessing and Peace. Protect me
from preoccupying myself with other than You and do not put obstacles between me and Your
obedience and make this marriage sufficient and virtuous for me. Allahumma, Imy moments of
movement and stillnessam entrusted to You, so protect me; wherever I happen to be, take my
affairs as You have taken the affairs of Your pious servants.
Allahumma, help us, together with our parents, children, spouses, our Shuyukh, our brothers, all
our relatives, all those who come from the same womb as us, all those who have rights over us, and
those who have the minimum of rights over us. Allahumma, assist me in remembrance of You,
gratitude towards You and excellence in You worship, O Lord of the Worlds. Allahumma, guide us
and grant us success, O Lord of the Worlds. Allahumma, make us live this life by Your Book and the
Sunnah, O the One who is Majestic and Noble. Allahumma, we ask you by that which is accepted
from us and by whatever brought us closer to You. Ameen. And send blessings and salutations, by
Your Majesty, to the most noble of all envoys, Muhammad the seal of all prophets, his family and
companions. And all praise is to Allah Lord of the Worlds.
Allahumma Ameen.