Marriage is considered a legal contract and union requiring consent from both the bride and groom. The Quran endorses marriage, making mention of the rights, conduct, and values that encompass a successful and happy married life. Marriage is an essential pillar of human life, as humans are the masters of creatures and the most honourable of them. Islam promotes love, care, and respect in Muslim society where wives and husbands live happily with their children and families. Allah says:
وَلَن تَسْتَطِيعُوا أَن تَعْدِلُوا بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتُمْ فَلَا تَمِيلُوا كُلَّ الْمَيْلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَالْمُعَلَّقَةِ
“You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them to leave the other hanging…” (Surah An-Nisa 4:129)
Marriage is a social institution as old as the human race itself. Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman which is recognised by custom or law and involves certain rights and duties. Islam also regards marriage as a way to acquire spiritual perfection. Marriage is a contract made by a male and female to live together as wife and husband and a tie that strengthens their relationship. By reminding us that we all come from Adam and Eve, the Quran tells us that having a spouse and being in a marriage is to honour the bonds between a man and a woman. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا
“O mankind, verily, We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13)
Islam recognises this institution and accepts it as the basis of human society after purging it of all those evils which had penetrated it. The wife is, therefore, not meant. to provide sensual pleasure only to the male, but to fully co-operate with him in making the life of the family and ultimately of the whole of humanity significantly meaningful. The husband and the wife are for mutual support, mutual comfort and mutual protection, fitting into each other as garments fit into each other.
- Marriage is to keep the person away from moral wrongdoings
- Marriage legitimate relationship between men and women
- Marriage is the only way to form a good, healthy family
- Marriage is a natural necessity for every human being
- Marital life is based on love, affection, and respect
- Marriage utilizes them in a religiously healthy way
- Marriage is a spiritual safety for human beings
- Marriage is necessary for making a family
- Marriage care for each other in all matter
- Marriage sense each other’s stress
- Marriage is a project that requires trust
- Marriage is a blessing from Allah Himself
- Marriage is a sign for people who reflect on it
- Marriage is a source of pleasure and happiness
- Marriage increases the Divine blessings to both
- Marriage protects half of one’s religion as his desires
- Marriage is a source to experience love and happiness
- Marriage makes an incomplete human being a complete one
- Marriage is to keep the person away from moral wrongdoings
- Marriage is a natural way of reproduction to preserve humanity
Islam made the marriage of a man to a woman an honourable bond and a great religious contract that cannot be exceeded in honour except by Islam itself. Through marriage, mankind is sustained, and without it, humanity will become extinct. One reason for the fall of civilizations, as some studies suggest, is that their population was not growing at a steady rate of at least 2%. Humanity cannot be preserved except through marriage.
Here are some jewels and pearls of wisdom in a happy marriage life:
- Islam obligated the man to work to fulfil the family’s financial needs
- Islam sees family as an institution and not as individuals
- Islam proposes a complete system to protect the family
- Marriage takes away the possibility of all evils and sins
- Marriage strengthens both and stable family life
- Marriage in Islam is done to abstain from acts of adultery
- Marriage protects against a sinful life and the teachings of Islam
- Marriage is not some fairytale that most people make it out to be
- Husband’s right as the director, caretaker, and leader to be obeyed
Islam has obliged the husband to provide these to the wife based on his financial ability and known customs, without being stingy or extravagant. Islam encourages the woman to grant her dowry to her husband during his life and promises a great reward. However, the wife inherits her husband in all cases. Marriage guarantees physical and spiritual purity and peace of a person and keeps the couple away from the pitfalls and temptations of Satan. Chastity is one of the praise-worthy attributes of the believers.
وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّىٰ يُغْنِيَهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ
“And let those who cannot find someone to marry maintain chastity until Allah (SwT) makes them rich through His favours …” (Surah An-Nur 24:33)
Allah has made the spouses clothing for each other and in this way has made men and women halal for each other. Marriage aims to maintain self-respect and views and avoid slander. Care is the most important factor in nourishing any relationship. Islam advises us to respect each other’s spouses and treat them with honour and care. Appreciation is the key to having a good relationship with anyone. Being honest with one’s spouse is the key to a happy marriage.
Here are some examples from the Quran to achieve through marriage:
- “And We created you in pairs.” (Quran 78:8)
- “And He has put between you affection and mercy.” (Quran, 30:21)
- “Your wives are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them.” (Qur’an 2:187)
- “and they have taken a strong pledge (Mithaqun Ghalithun) from you?” (Quran 4:21)
- “And of all things, We created two mates; perhaps you will remember.” (Quran, 51:49)
- “And Allah has made for you Mates (and Companions of your nature.” (Quran, 16:72).
- “And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts).” (Quran, 23:5)
Marriage serves as a shelter for anyone who feels lost in the wilderness of life; one can find a life partner who would share one’s joy and sorrow. Marriage in Islam teaches both men and women to stay ready to sacrifice and endure for/her life partner. The main purpose of marriage is protection against a sinful life and living a life according to the teachings of Islam. Allah says:
وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰ أَن تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا
“Live with them in kindness, for if you dislike them, then perhaps you dislike something but Allah has placed therein much good.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:19)
Marriage purifies a person, curbs their sexual instincts, and utilizes them in a religiously acceptable and healthy way. Islam encourages early marriage, because the more youthful a person is, the more he expects and is inclined to sex and pleasures. So one of the goals of marriage is to keep the person away from moral wrongdoings, purify his soul, and beautify it with morals and good behaviour. Marriage entails building a life that facilitates thriving and contentment in the relationship itself, which as a result influences a good home environment for the family, which can thereby. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” (Surat Al-Furqaan 25:74)
Islam promotes love, care, and respect in Muslim society where wives and husbands live happily with their children and families. Marriage in Islam teaches both men and women to stay ready to sacrifice and endure for/her life partner. The main purpose of marriage is protection against a sinful life and living a life according to the teachings of Islam. Marriage is also a chance to learn about compassion, mercy, and love – which in turn can help us grow in our faith and love for Allah as well.
