MARRIAGE, ITS CRITERIA IN ISLAM AND CHOICE OF HUSBANDS BY THE HAUSA PEOPLE OF SOKOTO

The institution of marriage has a significant place in the eyes of the Muslim Ummah as it is the only avenue that produces legitimate offspring and gives better moral training in the life of the Ummah. The paper examines the institution of marriage and its criteria in Islam. Choice of marriage partner, according to the criteria laid down by Islam. Then guardianship of a woman, dowry, witnesses, and the responsibility of women that Allah bestows on the men which is essential in Islamic marriage. The paper also highlights choice of husbands by women and the objectives of marriage in Islam. The four categories of prohibited marriages, like the Mutu’ah, marriage of a Mushrikha/ Mushrikh, marriage of women in waiting period, either from divorce or widowed. Choice of a marriage partner by educated Muslim women of Sokoto State. Literature base approach was adopted for the data used in the research. It concludes that the choice of marriage partner is very important for every Muslim as it give the family a sense of direction