Think about it.  Marriage is a legal contract.  Why in the world would someone want to sign a contract agreeing to be with one person for the rest of their life?  \n\nWould you sign a legal contract agreeing to be my friend forever?  And face substantial financial ramifications if you later decide not to be?\n\nWould you sign a legal contract agreeing to like eating your favorite food forever?  What if your tastes change? ... give up half of everything!
126469
No, I don't want to get married and I never have.\n\nEverything you have just said is absolutely right.  I have seen my mother married and divorced twice now and she is done with men, given up, finito.  She prefers living alone now, has her own house, and I have seen changes in her already after her second divorce she is much happier than she has ever been with any man.\n\nSame thing with one person for life--things change, people change, sure some people can stay in love forever but in my life I just don't see that happening.  There are things about someone that you might love about them at first and then it just gets annoying later on that they are still doing it.\n\nSo no, I haven't signed that contract or walked down that plank, nor do I really have the desire to do so.
649333
((( one of the requirement of for a valid contract is the approval of the woman’s guardian known as the wali.)))\n\n\nThe Marriage Contract: Its Basic Elements\n\nBy Bilal Abu Aisha\n\nAll praise is due to Allah, the Creator of our world and the laws that govern it. And Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His slave and final Messenger Muhammad (saws), the one sent to all of mankind, the one sent to guide people out from the darkness of shirk (polytheism), into the light of Tawheed (montheism).  Know dear reader that Allah (swt) has created things in pairs.  Those pairs must get together in certain ways in order for reproduction to occur.  The way for reproduction to occur amongst humans – males and females, is through marriage, known in Arabic as nikaah. Islam urges Muslims to marry, and prohibits pre-marital relationships.  Allah Most High says in the Qur’an: “Marry the unmarried among you…”1 Also, Allah’s Messenger (saws) in the hadith found in Bukhari and Muslim, commanded young people to marry, and advised those of them who could not afford it to fast as a means of controlling their sexual desire.  From an Islamic perspective, marriage is not viewed merely as a means of satisfying natural desires and passions.  Its goals are much deeper than just obtaining legal sex.  Allah (swt) points out one of the main objectives behind marriage by saying: “And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you might live with tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts (hearts)…”2 \n\nTherefore, the phenomenon of bachelorship or celibacy are UN-Islamic practices that result in devastation, effecting the Muslim community, and posing a threat to the Islamic world.  What devastation? What threat on the Islamic world? The answers to these questions are found in the non-Muslim communities.  Every day we hear and observe with our very eyes the perverted and sinful ways of the Kuffar (disbelievers).  These ways which they find acceptable in their societies have ultimately led to many types of diseases such as A.I.D.S, syphilis and the like, as a result of their choice to follow the unnatural way of abstaining from marriage.\n\nThe marriage contract is the formal bond that turns two individuals from strangers to husband and wife.  It is the most important contract that most people execute throughout their lives. Since the marriage contract has such great significance, the deen of Islam imposes a number of guidelines that it must fulfill. Many Muslims who are engaged in pre-marital relationships hold back from having the contract executed due to their ignorance about its elements.  So they continue to live a sinful lifestyle due to cultural influences which lead them thinking the process is too demanding.  Before delving into the basic elements of marriage, it worth mentioning here that marriage is a serious matter and should be dealt with seriously.  It is not allowed for a man to marry and then claim he did not really mean it, or that he was joking. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “There are three matters in which it is not permissible to joke: marriage, divorce, and emancipation (of slaves).”3\n\nThe Islamic marriage contract has conditions, requirements, pillars and optional elements.  A contract must fulfill the following conditions and pillars in order to be valid.\n\nEligibility of Bride and Groom\nThe first of these conditions is that both the bride and groom must fulfill certain requirements.  The groom must be a chaste Muslim having attained the age of puberty.  He must not be related to the bride by any of the permanently prohibiting blood, milk, or marital relationships such as his sisters, paternal and maternal aunts, daughters, grand daughters and others.  He must not be prohibited from marrying the bride for any of the temporary reasons stipulated in the Qur’an and Sunnah.  So if a man has four wives, all other women become temporarily
580451
People should live their lives in a manner that they are comfortable with.  If someone chooses not to be married, that's fine.  Better to be alone than wish you were!
58727
Maybe I look at this slightly differently than most people, but it almost boils down to a business transaction to me.  Marriage means being able to make medical decisions on behalf of your SO should something happen. It also means being jointly responsible for things like mortgages, car loans and other financial transactions. \n\nGranted, marriage should not be about these things alone. It should be a vow to be with the person you love forever(but you don't need a piece of paper to do this).  That's a very important part of marriage, but so is being protected should the union disolve or should one partner pass away.
34990
It's a sign of self respect for both you and the person that you choose to be with for the rest of your life. It is so much more special when you save it for the special someone that takes your hand in marriage. \n\nIt's not old fashioned thing, I think really it is common sense and remaining abstenent until the "right one" comes a long really says a lot for your character. :)Believe me, it is well worth it to wait.
306692
You're absolutely right. If you do it now, you will be rendering pointless years of sacrifice. Especially if you don't even plan on marrying the guy (or if he doesn't plan on getting married at all). It sounds to me that you might be in a harmful relationship-- it's making you question your personal values to the point that you're willing to throw away something that you've saved for years. Find someone who wants to get married and who supports your views and with whom you can be true to yourself without difficulty. Good luck.
104100
I've always wondered this myself. If I am going to be marrying someone that I plan to spend the rest of my life with I am not going to be thinking about the dissolution of our marriage. Also, if I think he is going to try to take me for all that I have upon our divorce, well, I didn't know his character all that well anyway. So, the moral is, know someone totally before you marry them. :)
565734
not all post nuptial agreement works\nonce married, it's very much like signing a busniess contract, amnd then wanting change order made to it to amned the contract. Post nuptials can be voided in courts, it's still realitivelty new territory, Prenups are routingely null and voided when the courts deem they are too restrictive. In essesnce if you have sizeable assest, you should NEVER get married.. period.
174405
I prefer marriage over just living together. It tells me he loves me enough to commit to being together for the rest of our lives. To stand before God, family and friends and declare his undying love for me. It's the only way for me.
35004
You need to decide what your beliefs and boundaries are.  If you don't mind living with someone for the rest of your life without a legal marriage, then do it, if not, then give him an option, marriage or you are gone. Most states have the policy of common law marriage anyway, after 5 years (varies per state) of living together you are considered legally married anyway.
204085
I'm married, and I take the vows I made to my hubby completely serious, along with my marriage. We may not have a whole lot, but it's my own little world, and I wouldn't change it for anything. I honestly couldn't imagine my life without him in it...it just doesn't seem right. My reasons for marriage was because I knew I wanted him for the rest of my life. Of course, we didn't HAVE to get married, but I see it as a way of showing the ultimate act of love towards another. What other way is there besides devoting your life with them to share in every single aspect? \nAs far as why divorce happens more in today's times, I think people just take it as an easy way out. Marriages are not easy to maintain, and when tuff situations arise, divorce provides an easy access to just start over. It's sad that marriages are not taken seriously, and that people are starting to just see it as a signed piece of paper, rather than all that it resembles. Of course, there are always exceptions. Some divorces occur for good reasons, like abuse or constant adultery. \nReally good question. Best of luck to you in life!
266140
It depends on who the person is and if they are ready to settle down, I am 35 and I am ready to settle when I was younger no way not ready, but now I feel I am ready for that long term commitment. my reason for waiting so long i didnt want to marry and than 1yr end up in divorce, when i marry I want it to last.like the vows dill death do us part...
258352
Well its not really "marriage" is it.\n\nMarriage is recognised by God as a man and a woman.\n\nI think if two people want to spend the rest of their lives together, and they are gay.  Feel free, but its not natural so dont parade it around in front of others.
108486
Boy are you inviting grief asking that in this forum...  However, my heartfelt answer is: Where-ever you find love, why not be allowed to make that committment?\n\nI don't see how the government letting you marry the person you love in any way threatens me and my marriage and my family - I would still choose a heterosexual relationship whether or not gay marriage is legal - so my family life does not need defending from your legal status.  I truly believe that you would not chose this lifestyle if you had a choice.  \n\nGood luck to you.
477801
I personaly dont like the fact that my man would be doing ANYTHING with another person but me. Its just not right why be married if its to more than one person. \nI just think that it is wrong. There should only be one person you love at a time that is what makes love such a strong thing. It can keep people together for years. \n\nBut we have people who want to tarnish that with their polygamist ways....i think that if you dont want to commit you shouldnt be in a relationship at all. You should just be single...whats the matter with that. You cant have your cake and eat it too.
253715
America has a high rate due to selfishness.  If the other person doesn't do it for you, hit the road, Jack.  Marriage takes commitment, work, and the sacrifice of your wills for the benefit of the other.  In essence, IMHO, if you are not willing to die for your wife, then you are not ready for marriage.  I love my wife so much I would be willing to die in her place.
273540
I think you're absolutely correct.  The reality is that most marriages won't work out.  Divorces are both emotionially and financially crippling under most circumstances.\n\nI don't understand why so many feel that they need a legal contract to commit.  Maybe if you're doing it for religious purposes, but the bottom line is that the wedding is going to be extraordinarily expensive (most of the time), the marriage will just as likely end in divorce as not, and if it doesn't, the couple will probably not be happy once the bloom is off of the rose.  I know so many divorcees who have had their financial future yanked out from under them because of divorce and I don't quite understand why so many seek it.