Is intention a prerequisite for marriage?

Intention is not a condition for the validity of the marriage contract. If the contract is concluded between two parties who are not coerced, it is valid and effective, even if one of them was joking. This is based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: "There are three matters, serious when taken seriously and serious when taken lightly: marriage, divorce, and revocation [of divorce]." However, if one of the parties was coerced, the contract is not effective.