Sunday, July 26, 2020

THE MARRIAGE IN ISLAM


One of the recognized and indisputable commandments of Islam is the marriage – the sacred union that takes place only between man and woman. Man has been created for woman and vice versa. They are attracted to each other like magnets. Marriage and establishing a joint family are a natural desire of human beings responding to their instincts. The house is the center of love, kindness, and friendship, whereby it is the best place to relax and live comfortably. Through marriage the procreation of mankind is continued. The love Muslim spouses have for each other should be for the sake of Allah and to gain His pleasure!  Although, there are more than 16 Ayahs relating to marriage, but selected Ayahs of the Glorious Qur’an are appended below:
Surah al-Nur Ayah 32, “Marry off those who are single among you and the upright among your male slaves and your female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Grace, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.
 Surah al-Nur Ayah33, “Those who cannot afford marriage should be continent until Allah enriches them out of His Grace.” Thus, one must not resort to evil, sin or illicit sexual relationships because they cannot find a permanent spouse.
Surah al-Rum Ayah 21, “And of His signs is that He created for you mates from your own selves that you may take comfort in them, and He ordained affection and mercy between you. There are indeed signs in that for a people who reflect. “
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Of my tradition is to marry. So then whoever turns away from my tradition (Sunnah) is not from me (my nation).”

Only the marriage of prophet Musa was described in the Glorious Qur’an. He came to Madyan, where Hazrat Shoaib was living with his two daughters. Hazrat Musa (a.s.) helped his daughters in watering their sheep. Hazrat Shoaib wanted to compensate Hazrat Musa for his assistance. One of his daughters came to Hazrat Musa (a.s.) and said, “Then one of two women approached him, walking bashfully. She said, ‘Indeed my father invites you to pay you the wages for watering (our flock) for us. (28:25) She was guiding Hazrat Musa and due to wind, her feet were uncovered. Hazrat Musa told her to walk behind him. She told her father, “One of the two women said, ’Father, hire him. Indeed, the best you can hire is a powerful and trustworthy man’. “(28:26) Hazrat Shoaib said, “Indeed I desire to marry you to one of my two daughters, on condition that you hire yourself to me for eight years…” Thus, Hazrat Musa (a.s.) married that girl.
Factors for the marriage to be noted are Hazrat Shoaib was an Arab while Hazrat Musa was an Israelite, he left his hometown for fear of his life, he was penniless; without any material resources, his daughter noted his piety.
Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) also proposed to marry the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) against the opinion of the people who looked at the apparent material status. She appreciated his “Truthfulness” and “Trustworthiness”. Similarly, in case of her daughter (Fatima Zahra s.a.), the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) did not see the material status of Imam Ali (a.s.) whose only possessions were his sword, camel, and a shield.
Marriage in Islam inculcates the following: Love for the sake of Allah, increase in sustenance, acceptance of personalities, challenge and realization of potential, mercy and forgiveness, respect and care, confidentiality, growth, truthfulness, and selflessness.

Sources: The Religion of al-Islam and Marriage by Arifa Hudda, Principles of Marriage and Family Ethics by Ibrahim Amini
Marriage and Morals in Islam.com, Why Islam.org

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