Differences between Muslim marriage and a Hindu marriage: 

Muslim Marriage

1. Muslim marriage or Nikah is a civil contract between a man and a woman for the purpose of legalization, sexual relationship and the procreation of children. In this sense, it is different from Hindu marriage.

2. The Muslim marriage-contract or agreement, can be broken at the will of the husband or wife. It can also be broken if either the husband or the wife fails to carry out the promises made at the time of marriage.

3. Muslim marriage is solemnised in the presence of witnesses including a priest-the Maulvi. The Maulvi recites holy hymns from the Koran and asks the bride and the groom to give their consent. Also, the husband must agree to pay the dower or the Mahr to his wife in the event of a divorce.

4. There are four forms of Muslim marriage: 

(i) Nikah.

(ii) Fasid.

(iii) Muta.

(iv) Batil. 

5. Types of divorce among the Muslim are: 

(i) Talaq.

(ii) Khula.

(iii) Mubarat.

6. Divorce among the Muslim is obtained by a very simple procedure. A husband can divorce his wife by using the word, "talaq" thrice. But the husband must pay the dower (Mahr) promised by him to compensate for the loss of financial stability provided by him.

7. A wife can also obtain divorce from her husband provided he agrees to her proposal of divorce. Such a divorce is called Khula (release). 

8. If the wife and husband separate by mutual consent, such dissolution of marriage is called Mubarat. 

9. Marriage can also be dissolved by legal means through Muslim Divorce Act, 1939.

Hindu Marriage 

1. Hindu marriage is a sacrament which purifies a person. Marriage is considered so sacred that there is no provision for divorce in the Hindu texts. In fact, marriage is considered a union of two souls which remain faithful to each other forever.

2. The martial rites are performed before the most sacred God Agni (the Fire God) by reciting passages or mantras from the sacred scriptures. A sacred person, the Brahman, solemnizes the marriage. 

3. The bride and the groom exchange many promises to remain dutiful and faithful to each other. Well-wishers bless the couple for a happy married life.

4. It is indissoluble in the eyes of religion, but divorce is now granted legal under Hindus Marriage Act, 1955.

5. Educated boys and girls are opting for choice-marriage to avoid caste and religious restrictions as well as dowry.

6. Divorce is increasing because husbands and wives are not ready to tolerate endless misconduct from each other.

7. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 has recognized inter-caste and inter-religious marriage. The Hindu Widows Remarriage Act, 1856 has permitted widows to remarry. 

8. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 has banned giving and taking of dowry.

9. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 has fixed the minimum age of marriage of the boy at twenty one and the girl at eighteen.