The third criterion is financial competence. A Muslim man must provide means of living to his wife and children, even if the wife is wealthy or earn a salary. The fourth criterion is compatibility and similarity in the ideas and goals of the husband and wife.
Muslim men and women who walk upon the straight path of Allah, implementing Divine law and justice, recognize marriage to be one of the Divine laws. Once this Divine union is established, the Muslim community begins to form. A satisfactory and happy married life can be achieved if the partners realize the concept of human marriage. They must be benevolent friends and faithful associates, deem it necessary to cooperate with each other in every respect, refrain from every kind of arrogance and haughtiness in their mutual dealings and finally, and most important, respect their reciprocate rights and try to please each other by obeying Allah in every aspect of their relationship.
The Holy Quran says: "And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from your own species that you may find comfort in them and He put between you and them love and compassion. Most surely there are signs in this for people who reflect" (30:21). From this verse, it can be seen that a couple can attain inner peace and calmness through the love that Allah has put in their hearts. But this love is different from the concept of love in the non-Muslim world, especially in Western culture. This love between a man and a woman includes a very important factor, the love of Allah and the love to serve Him. This is the love That remains through difficult times. It gives each spouse strength and encouragement and the will to sacrifice, not only to please the spouse or children, but mainly to please Allah, Who will take account of every action done in His way.
The human being is, however, weak by nature, so things may not always work out well and in favor of the well-being of each member of the family. Although divorce is very much disliked by Allah, it is still permitted in Islam at times, when there is absolutely no other alternative or a family's productivity and participation in the Islamic community is hindered by couple's unwillingness to be together.
Islam teaches the human-being to be responsible in all his decisions and actions. The Holy Quran and the saying of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) continuously remind Muslims of their duties and obligation to one another. The application of these teachings begins in the home, among members of the family. This is why the institution of marriage is so highly regarded in Islam. The Holy Prophet said: "When a person marries, he has completed half of his religious obligations."
Importance of Marriage in Islam
Allah has created men and women as company for one another, and so that they can procreate and live in peace and tranquillity according to the commandments of Allah and the directions of His Messenger. The Qur'an says:
And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect. (30:21)
And Allah has made for you your mates of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best. (16:72)
These verses of the Noble Qur'an clearly show that in contrast to other religions like Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism etc. which consider celibacy or monasticism as a great virtue and a means of salvation, Islam considers marriage as one of the most virtuous and approved institutions. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared, "There is no monasticism in Islam." He further ordained,
"O you young men! Whoever is able to marry should marry, for that will help him to lower his gaze and guard his modesty." (Al-Bukhari)
Modesty was regarded as a great virtue by the Prophet. He said, "Modesty is part of faith." (Al-Bukhari)
The importance of the institution or marriage receives its greatest emphasis from the following hadith of the Prophet,
"Marriage is my sunna. Whosoever keeps away from it is not from me."
With these Qur'anic injunctions and the guidance from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in mind, we shall examine the institution of marriage in the Shari'ah.
The word zawaj is used in the Qur'an to signify a pair or a mate. But in common parlance it stands for marriage. Since the family is the nucleus of Islamic society, and marriage is the only way to bring families into existence, the Prophet (peace be upon him) insisted upon his followers entering into marriage The Shari'ah prescribes rules to regulate the functioning of the family so that both spouses can live together in love, security, and tranquillity. Marriage in Islam has aspects of both 'ibadah (worship) of Allah and mu'amalah (transactions between human beings).
In its 'ibadah aspect, marriage is an act pleasing to Allah because it is in accordance with his commandments that husband and wife love each other and help each other to make efforts to continue the human race and rear and nurse their children to become true servants of Allah.
In its mu'amalah aspect, marriage being a lawful response to the basic biological instinct to have sexual intercourse and to procreate children, the Shari'ah has prescribed detailed rules for translating this response into a living human institution reinforced by a whole framework of legally enforceable rights and duties, not only of the spouses, but also of their offspring.
These aspects are beautifully explained in a tradition of the Prophet. It is narrated by Anas that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
"When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half."
The Prophet considered marriage for a Muslim as half of his religion because it shields him from promiscuity, adultery, fornication, homosexuality etc., which ultimately lead to many other evils like slander, quarreling, homicide, loss of property and disintegration of the family. According to the Prophet (peace be upon him) the remaining half of the faith can be saved by taqwa.
Marriage in Islam is a partnership. This partnership has two founding members, a man and a woman. This partnership has a constitution with a predetermined set of provisions. Its basis is one of love and affection, and its details encompass all aspects of family life.
Islam encourages everyone who is able to establish this partnership to hurry and do so. Islam promises us divine assistance and providence if we follow the provisions of Islam.
Marriage is the basis upon which the family is established. A man and woman form this important social institution together. Islam emphasizes that this relationship between the man and the woman should be based on affection and mercy. Allah says: “Among His signs is that he created for you wives from among yourselves that you may find comfort in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy.”
An important purpose of marriage in Islam is to take comfort in companionship and to bring about happiness. Allah says: “It is He who created you from a single person and then created from him his wife so he might take comfort in living with her.”
Allah also says: “They are garments for you and you are garments for them.”
Marriage, in Islam is established on the basis of mutual consent and free choice. Allah says: “Do not prevent them from marrying their former husbands if they mutually agree on a reasonable basis.”
Allah also says: “Do not retain them to harm them. Whoever does that has wronged himself.”
And: “O you who believe, it is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will.”
The management of family affairs and decision-making within the family are accomplished in Islam through mutual consultation and shared responsibility. Allah says: “Let each of you accept the advice of the other in a just way.”
One particular family issue where we find that the Qur’ân calls to mutual consultation and consent is the question of when a nursing child should be weaned.
Allah says: “If they both decide on weaning by mutual consent and consultation, there is no sin on them.”
