Meaning of Marriage in Islam
Whatever
meanings people assign to marriage, Islam views it as a strong bond (mithaqun
ghaleez), a challenging commitment in the fullest sense of the word. It is
a commitment to life itself, to society, and to the dignified, meaningful
survival of the human race. It is a commitment that married partners make to
one another as well as to God.
It is the
kind of commitment in which they find mutual fulfilment and self-realization,
love and peace, compassion and serenity, comfort and hope. All this is because
marriage in Islam is regarded first and foremost as a righteous act, an act of
responsible devotion.
Sexual
control may be a moral triumph, reproduction a social necessity or service, and
sound health a gratifying state of mind. Yet, these values and purposes of marriage would
take on a special meaning and be reinforced if they are intertwined with the
idea of God, conceived also as religious commitments, and internalized as
Divine blessings. And this seems to be the focal point of marriage in Islam.
To
paraphrase some Quranic verses, the call is addressed to mankind to be dutiful
to God, Who created them from a single soul, and from it or of it created its
mate, and from the two of them scattered abroad many men and women (An-Nisa’ 4:1).
It was
God Who created mankind out of one living soul, and created of that soul a
spouse so that he might find comfort and rest in her (Al-A`raf
7:189). And it is a Sign of God that He has created for men, of
themselves, mates to seek in their company peace and tranquility, and has set
between them mutual love and mercy. Surely, in that are signs for those who
contemplate (Ar-Rum 30:21).
Even at
the most trying times of married life, and in
the midst of legal disputes and litigation, the Quran reminds the parties of
God's Law; it commands them to be kind to one another, truly charitable toward
one another, and above all dutiful to God.
Equality and Mutual Rights in Islamic
Marriage
It is
noteworthy that the Islamic provisions of marriage apply to men and women
equally. For example, if celibacy is not recommended for men, it is equally so
for women. This is in recognition of the fact that women's needs are equally
legitimate and are seriously taken into consideration.
In fact,
Islam regards marriage to be the normal, natural course for women just as it is
for men. It may even be more so for women because it assures them, among other
things, of relative economic security. This significant additional advantage
for women does not, however, characterize marriage as a purely economic
transaction.
In fact,
the least focal aspect of marriage in Islam is the economic factor, no matter
how powerful this may be. The Prophet is reported to have said: “A woman is ordinarily sought as wife for her wealth, for
her beauty, for the nobility of her stock, or for her religious qualities; but
blessed and fortunate is he who chooses his mate for piety in preference to
everything else.”
Financial Rights and Responsibilities in
Islam
The Quran
commands marriage to the spouseless and the pious even though they may be poor
and slaves (An-Nur 24:32). Whatever dowry
(marriage gifts) a man gives his prospective wife belongs to her, and whatever
she may have acquired prior to or after marriage is hers alone. There is no
necessary community of property of husbands and wives.
Furthermore,
it is the husband who is responsible for the maintenance and economic security
of the family. He must even provide the wife with the kind of help and service
to which she was used before marriage, and, according to some scholars, she is
under no legal obligation to do the routine housework,
although she may do so, and usually does, for some reason or other, e.g.,
cooperation, economy, etc.
For Further Reading:
- Book Review: “Women’s Liberation Movement in the Balance of Islam” by Anwar Al-Jundi
- Concept of Satr and Women’s Modesty in Islamic Sharia
- Does Polygamy Oppress Women—or Save Them?
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Taken from the book: “Islam in Focus” by Hammudah `Abd
Al-`Ati
