MARRIAGE(AN-NIKKAH)
Marriage is called ‘An-Nikah’ in Arabic. It is expected to be an age-long contract.
Marriage is Encouraged by Islam
- It is enjoined by Allah on all matured men and women who are fit for marriage.
- The Qur’an says: (24:32) ‘Marry the single from among you and such that are fit of your male and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them of His bounty, surely Allah is sufficient and All-knowing.
- The Prophet (P.B.U.H). said There is no (monkhood) celibacy in Islam.Therefore, no one is allowed to practice celibacy in the name of priesthood.
- The Prophet also said: ‘Marriage is my Sunnah whoever shuns it is not one of us.
Purpose and Importance of Marriage
- Intense mutual love and mutual concern for each other. {Qur’an: 30:21)
And among His signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Surely in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.
- Peace of mind and reduction of tension.
- Companionship and counselling of each other.
- Establishment of family as a unit of the society.
- Legitimate reproduction (procreation) as stated in Q. 16:72 thus ‘And Allah has given you wives of your own kind, and has given you from your wives sons and grandsons……..
- It is an act of ‘Ibadah. The Prophet said: When a man marries, he has satisfied half of his faith, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half.’
- Sexual enjoyment can be legitimately obtained only from marriage.
The prophet said: marry, for it will help him to lower his gaze and guard his chastity’
Lessons from Importance of Marriage
- One should not engage in sex except with his legal wife or husband.
- One who is fit and ready should get married.
- Celibacy should not be practised.
- Marriage is a religious duty.
- One should love and care for his/her spouse.