27.05.2013 Views

Islam_in_Focus_text

Islam_in_Focus_text

Islam_in_Focus_text

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

4. Marriage and Divorce (3)<br />

One of the most distorted concepts of <strong>Islam</strong> is the real<br />

mean<strong>in</strong>g of marriage. In addition to the brief statement made<br />

earlier <strong>in</strong> this survey, a few more remarks may be useful.<br />

Marriage <strong>in</strong> <strong>Islam</strong> is not a bus<strong>in</strong>ess deal negotiated by two<br />

partners, nor is it a secular contract whereby material bene-<br />

fits and obligations are evaluated <strong>in</strong> contrast to one another.<br />

It is someth<strong>in</strong>g solemn, someth<strong>in</strong>g sacred, and it vvould be<br />

erroneous to def<strong>in</strong>e it <strong>in</strong> simply physical or material and sec-<br />

ular terms. Moral eharity, spiritual elevation, social <strong>in</strong>tegnty,<br />

human stability, peace and mercy constitute the major ele-<br />

ments of marriage. It is a contract to which God Himself is<br />

the First Witness and the First Party; it is concluded <strong>in</strong> His<br />

Name, <strong>in</strong> obedience to Him and accord<strong>in</strong>g to His Ord<strong>in</strong>anc-<br />

es. It is a decent human companionship, authorized and su-<br />

pervised by God. It is a Sign of His Bless<strong>in</strong>gs and abundant<br />

Mercy as He clearly says <strong>in</strong> the Qur'an (30:21).<br />

It is evident, therefore, that marriage <strong>in</strong> <strong>Islam</strong> is a means<br />

of permanent relationship and cont<strong>in</strong>uous harmony not only<br />

between man and woman but also between those and God. It<br />

is also clear that when two Muslims negotiate a marriage<br />

contract, they have every <strong>in</strong>tention to make it a last<strong>in</strong>g suc-<br />

cess, for good or for bad, for better or for worse.<br />

3) In connection with this po<strong>in</strong>t, see the section on "The Family Life"<br />

above.<br />

(S>

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!