Islam_in_Focus_text

take his responsibilities, financially and otherwise. Dowry is
also a symbolic gesture indicating that the woman will be se-
cure, and that the man is not looking for any material gains
as his motive for entering the marriage. It draws the clear
lines between what each party should expect and not expect
of the other.
5. Marriage should be made public and celebrated in a
most joyful manner. The free consent of both parties is an
essential condition without which marriage is not valid.
6. Everv marriage, in order to be legal, must be wit-
nessed by two adults and registered in official documents.
7. Complete maintenance of the wife is the husband's
duty. She is entitled to that by virtue of marriage. If she hap-
pens to have any property or possessions, that will be hers
before and after marriage; the husband has no right what-
soever to any portion or share of his wife's property. This is
to restrict marriage to its noble purposes and disentangle it
from all unworthy objectives.
With all these measures, it can be seen that Islam has
given all possible assurances to make marriage a happy
companionship and a solid foundation of continuous harmo-
ny and permanent peace. But in view of the fact that human
behavior is changeable and sometimes unpredictable, Islam
takes a realistic outlook on life and makes allowances for all
unexpected events. Marriage, as has been said, has decent