Is it permissible for the wedding night (laylat al-dukhlah) to be at the beginning of Ramadan, and is it a condition that the consummation of the marriage (al-dukhool) takes place forty days before the fasting begins?

It is permissible to عقد النكاح (perform the marriage contract) and consummate the marriage (الدخول بالزوجة) in Ramadan. Allah has permitted intimacy during its nights, saying: "It has been made permissible for you the night of the fast to go to your wives." However, it is preferable to perform the marriage contract before Ramadan or to delay it until after, especially if one fears violating the sanctity of the month. It is also commendable for the contract and consummation to take place in Shawwal, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who married Aisha and consummated his marriage with her in Shawwal. Aisha herself preferred this. This refutes what the people of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) used to believe regarding the dislike of marriage in Shawwal.