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assault on this institution. Adultery furthermore, subjected men and<br />
women to degradation and the gradual erosion <strong>of</strong> their spiritual well<br />
being. More <strong>of</strong>ten than not. it was a debasement for women and<br />
subjected them to special strain. Chastity (that Is fidelity to one's<br />
husband or wife) was a commitment to God as well as to one's lawful<br />
partner. It is significant moreover, that the Qurlanic verses refer to<br />
Muýsir7at and Mubsarrin (chaste) in the context <strong>of</strong> marriage, one verse<br />
states;<br />
"Are (not only) chaste women who are believers, but<br />
chaste women among the people <strong>of</strong> the Book revealed<br />
before time, when you give them their due dowers and<br />
desire, chastity. not lewdness nor secret intrigues.<br />
Saddiqi comments: -"The Qurlan has constantly used the word Mubsin<br />
for chaste men and Mubsiýat for chaste women, both <strong>of</strong> which came from<br />
the Arabic root 'Uisn' meaning fort. The underlying idea is that<br />
marriage safeguards and protects chastity in the same manner as a fort<br />
protects the garrison within from a beseiging army. "<br />
Irrespective <strong>of</strong> such differences, marriage in Islam has a permanent<br />
importance; it protects the individual from committing sins, it<br />
regulates the individual sexuality by lawful means and it is healthier<br />
for the individual. Furthermore, marriage and the family encourage the<br />
begetting <strong>of</strong> children and, consequently. help the survival <strong>of</strong> the human<br />
race.<br />
Al-Mukaran7at (Women to whom a man cannot Ret married)<br />
'Islam has forbidden a man's getting married to certain groups <strong>of</strong><br />
women. Such women are called 'Al-Mubararrat'. Al-Muharamat are <strong>of</strong> two<br />
kinds:<br />
Q. 5.6<br />
Siddiqi, Women in Islam, P. 33<br />
2<br />
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