Observation

This was a compulsory question answered by most of the candidates correctly. The candidates who attempted it recorded high marks while those who failed to score good marks lacked adequate understanding of the referred Qur’anic quotation. To get a good mark, candidates were expected to mention the following points:

1. Nikāḥ.
   1. Nikāḥ is an Arabic word meaning “Marriage”.
   2. Literally, it connotes tying or knotting.
   3. It is a legal contract between a man and a woman to be husband and wife.


2. Categories of people prohibited to be married according to Qur’an 4: 22- 24.
   1. Mothers.
   2. Daughters.
   3. Sisters.
   4. Paternal aunts.
   5. Maternal aunts.
   6. Brother’s daughters.
   7. Sister’s daughters.
   8. Grandmothers.
   9. Foster mothers.
   10. Foster sisters.
   11. Mothers of your wives.
   12. Step daughters born of wives.
   13. Wives of your sons.
   14. Two sisters together.
   15. Already married women.
   16. Granddaughters.
   17. Father’s wives.
   18. Grandfather’s wives.