Islam_in_Focus_text

ful survival of the human race. It is a commitment that mar-
ried 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 sereni-
ty, comfort and hope. Ali this i s because marriage in Islam is
regarded first and foremost as a righteous act, an act of re-
sponsible 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 bless-
ings. And this seems to be the focal point of marriage in Is-
lam. To paraphrase some Qur'anic verses, the call is ad-
dressed 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 wom-
en. (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 (7:89). And it is a Sign of God that
He has created for men, of themselves, mates to seek in their
company peace and tranquillity, and has set between them
mutual love and mercy. Surely, in that are signs for those
who contemplate (30:21). Even at the most trying times of
married life. and in the midst of legal disputes and litigation,
the Qur'an reminds the parties of God's Law; it commands