What is the Islamic view of marriage?
"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that on Signs for those who reflect.." Holy Qur'an 30:21
It is the stern command of Islam that the sexual instinct, natural to man should attain consummation only through wedlock. Matrimony is a holy act. Celibacy has been strongly prohibited. Marriage is viewed by Islam as a sacred contract. The dos and don'ts that the two mates ought to adopt in matrimonial life have been prescribed by Islam. Obeying these stipulations, man and woman can ensure a successful and blissful married life and a peaceful life after death.
• The resources of this world are for you to enjoy. The best wealth you can have in this world is a good wife.
• The best wealth that a man can have in this world is a good wife. A good wife is one who is a joy to look at, one who obeys her husband's commands and one who protects the wealth during his absence.
• The best of men are those who treat their wives well. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
What is Islamic wedding?
When the father or the guardian of the bride offers to give her in marriage to the bridegroom and when he accepts the offer in the presence of witnesses, the marriage is solemnised. The pre******ion of Islam is that the bridegroom ought to give the bride 'mahr' (dower) on the occasion of the wedding and that the consent of the bride should be sought beforehand.
What are the responsibilities of man and woman in a family?
Going by the teachings of Islam, though the responsibilities and rights of man and woman are different in matrimonial life, they are complementary. It is the responsibility of the woman to maintain the home and their children. The man's duty is to protect his home and earn decent livelihood. Islam, which reveres the motherhood of woman, reposes the full responsibility on man to look after her and the children.
What is the Islamic view on polygamy?
Islam permits polygamy on condition that the husband treats the wives in a just manner. However the number of wives should not exceed four. It is sinful and mean to have extra-marital relations.
As per the strict code of Islam, on no account should a man stray towards another woman. A man who cannot satisfy his thirst for sex with one wife is allowed to resort to polygamy. Islam completely bans the heinous practice of disowning responsibility after having sexual relation with a woman.
Instead, Islam permits, in unavoidable circumstances, a sacred arrangement for keeping wives legitimately, where they are protected and allowed their rights without any partiality.
There are con****s where the practice of polygamy becomes more of a social necessary than a personal need, especially when the number of women in a society exceeds that of men. Generally women out number men. During war times the proportion varies further, as men are more likely into account situations like this, when polygamy becomes socially indispensable, and permits it conditionally.
What does Islam say about divorce?
• A permissible thing which is most hated by Allaah is divorce.
• Know that all of you are rulers and that you will be questioned about all that you rule over. A leader is a ruler. Every man is the ruler of his household. The woman is in charge of her house and children. Hence every one of you is a ruler and you are responsible for those whom you rule. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Islam gives necessary instructions for the preservation of family relationship. Conformation to these instructions paves the way for a strong family bond and trouble free matrimonial life.
However, Islam is not blind to the discords that may occur in family life. Islam recommends three practical and scientific methods to prevent the severing of family relations due to discord caused by lack of discipline. The first procedure recommends good advice, failing which one boycotts the bed. If this also fails, mild physical punishment can be given, without bruising her body or mind. When all the three methods fail, the relatives of the couple can arbitrate and try for a compromise. If this attempt also fails to reunite the couple, Islam permits a divorce in a decent manner. Islam is very stern on the issue of divorce and it is allowed only in absolutely unavoidable situations.
Who has the right for divorce?
A divorce is possible for both man and woman who are certain that they cannot get along in any way with the partner. Only the manner of divorce varies a little between the man and the woman.
What does Islam say about bringing up children?
• Those who do not show mercy towards the young and those who do not show reverence towards elders are not to be considered to belong to our community.
• The greatest gift that a father can give to his son is to teach him good manners. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
It is the duty of the parents to bring up children who are the blessing of family life, in a manner beneficial to their life on earth and life after death. Parents should take care of the material and spiritual needs of the children. They should be loved and respected. Besides, they should be encouraged to do good and prevented form indulging in evil deeds. Islam permits minor punishments to correct wrong deeds without causing injury to their pride. Children should be treated equally. Islam strongly desires that both boys and girls should be brought up with equal regard, without any discrimination.
How should one behave to one's parents?
• One who breaks family ties will never enter Paradise.
• To give alms to the poor is charity. But if assistance is provided to a relative, then it is charity as well as strengthening of family ties.
• He who wishes to enter Paradise through the best door must please his parents. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
"Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them but address them, in terms of honour and, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility through mercy, and say: My Lord! Bestow on them your Mercy as they cherished me in childhood." Holy Qur'an 17: 23, 24
Islam teaches that after the obligation to the Creator, one's great obligation is to one's own parents. It is a great sin to be impertinent, negligent and disobedient to them. Only if parents ask the children to act against God, they shall disobey. Even if the parents remain non-Muslims, it is the responsibility of the Muslim children to look after them. It is the unavoidable responsibility of the children to protect their parents who have attained old age. Islam also teaches that it is sinful to rebuke and abuse one's aged parents.
How are the societies that have been conceived by Islam?
"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other not that may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."
Islam teaches that all men are the creations of the One and Only God and that they exist under His protection. It is from a single matter, the essence of clay, that everyone has been created. The origin of all humanity is from the first parents - Adam and Eve.
The distinctions that men have created have absolutely no place before the Almighty who created them. The worship offered only to One True God is the source of strength that can unite mankind. Narrow mindedness and shriveled outlook disappear when one prostrates before the almighty. When one realizes that faith and good deeds alone are what makes a man noble in the presence of God, all hastiness and arrogance fostered by pride and vanity and he becomes humble and pious. With the realization that there is only one God, and that all men are His servants, with no distinction between the rich and the poor, the native and the foreigner, the fair and the dark, the elite and the lowly, the master and the slave, they prostrate only before him, the Almighty, the Merciful. This is the picture of the society that has been conceived by Islam, a society without narrow boundaries.
What does Islam say about the neighbourhood?
• I swear in His Name, Who holds my life, no man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
• Know that you are good if your neighbours speak well of you. Know that you are bad if your neighbours speak badly about you. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
Just as relationship in a family, Islam views that the relationship between neighbours ought to be warm and cordial. The Prophet (PBUH) advised decent behaviour to the neighbours without causing any kind of disturbance to them. He taught us to take into account the opinion of the neighbour with regard to one's character and personality. It is clear that the mutual responsibility amongst neighbours is indeed significant, as exemplified by the advice of the Prophet when he said that no true Muslim fills his belly when his neighbour is starving and that should be considered even if one has to dilute the broth by adding a little water.
Can a Muslim be communal?
Islam teaches that it is not one's birth, but good deeds and faith that determine one's nobility. The Islamic slogan "One God for one mankind" aims at eliminating all the narrow views, like communalism, casteism, racism etc. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) declared in plain words that "He who invites to communalism, fights and dies for communalism, not belong to us". The followers of Muhammed (PBUH) therefore can never be communal.
What are the Islamic directions in the financial front?
According to Islam all the resources on earth have been created for mankind. It is the right of every human being to make use of the natural resources. Everyone has the right to work hard and earn wealth. However, the earnings should not be the result of the exploitation of others. Income can be earned through business, cultivation, hard work, trade, and the like. But in every transaction, clear moral instructions have to be observed. What one earns, while observing these moral laws, is his own and not of the society or of the nation. But it is the responsibility of the individuals to spend from their income, to meet the needs of the society and the nation. While Islam sanctions business transactions and approves of fair profits, it prohibits profiteering and hoarding. It bans taking or giving interest and usury. In business, there ought not to be deceit, treachery or fraudulence. The field of production should be free from exploitation. No product should be marketed suppressing its drawbacks. Miserliness and extravagance should be shunned. Aid should be provided to those who suffer from poverty. Zakaah has been instituted for this.
• One, who eats his fill while his neighbor starves, is not a true Muslim.
• The trader who is prompt and honest will be among prophets, martyrs and the righteous on Day of Judgement.
• Weigh correctly anything that you sell and when you buy something have it weighed correctly.
• Tell the buyer about the defects, if any, of the goods you sell. Having done that, the transaction is acceptable, if not detestable.
• All fraudulent and treacherous transactions are forbidden.
• Hoarding is a sin. One who hoards food grains in order to sell the same for a better price is a criminal.
• One who repays his debts promptly and in the best manner is the best amongst you.
• Allah's curse will fall on those who lend money on interest and on those who bear witness to such deals.
• Monopoly is unlawful in Islam.
• Cheat not in weights and measures. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
What does Qur'an say about master-labourer relationship?
It is only natural that the master and labourer come to picture when production, trade and cultivation set in. The relationship between the master and labourer does not warrant any confrontation. On the other hand, it ought, to be of co-operation, as per the teachings of Islam. The Prophet has said that the income earned through one's own labour is the best income. The labourer should be given the wages that they deserve. There should be a proper agreement with regard to the wages, between the employer and the labourer, before the work starts. The amount thus arrived at should be distributed without making any deduction whatsoever and it should be paid even before the sweat of the labourer dried up. The employee should not be exploited and he should have complete security while doing the work assigned to him. It is the responsibility of the employee to endeavour sincerely for a satisfactory completion of the work assigned to him.
• The best wealth is that which does a labourer earn..
• The best food is that which is earned by one's toil.
• Allah considers the labourer as His friend.
• Allah loves the labourer. One who toils for his family is like one whose struggle in the cause of God. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)
What should be the approach of Muslims towards non-Muslims?
The teachings of Islam states that the Muslim community should coexist in complete harmony and tolerance with people of other religious communities. The Qur'an prescribes that as long as the other communities do not oppress the members of the Muslim community, they ought to coexist in love and tolerance. This has been demonstrated by Muhammed (PBUH) through his life. Even the subjects of a Caliphate have no right to hamper the freedom of faith nor the freedom of worship of the non-Muslim citizens. The ruler is liable for the complete protection of their lives and property. The Prophet (PBUH) has taught that it is an unpardonable sin to be unjust to non-Muslim citizens.
What is 'Jihaad'?
Jihaad means "effort", "strive" or "struggle". All efforts to sacrifice, adopting the divine path and in the pursuit of truth are Jihaad. The control over self and the surrender to the will of God, is the first phase of Jihaad. Jihaad is the conquest of one's self in order to ward off all kinds of temptations which might ultimately lead to evil.
"Fight in the cause of Allaah those who fight you. But do not transgress limits; For Allaah loveth not transgressors." Holy Qur'an 2:190
Jihaad is also the worthy utilization of one's wealth, energy and time for the divine cause. Just as it is imperative for a person to worship the One True God for becoming a member of the Islamic community, after pledging the vow of truth, it is also his responsibility to propagate the message of the true religion amongst his fellowmen. The efforts of sacrifice which form the path of fulfilling the aforementioned responsibility, is indeed Jihaad. The message of the true religion should be conveyed to others by making one's own life the example of the teachings of the religion and also by resorting to the use of logic and good advice. Islam is averse to the idea of forced conversion. The Qur'an makes it very clear that in matters related to religion there ought to be no coercion, and the duty of the followers of the faith is just to enlighten the people and that if any person accepts the faith should be done it on his own accord. Islam does not permit attack on innocent people in the name of religion. Islam permits the use of force if it is indispensable, to ensure freedom of religion in the event of a situation where the right to live according to the tenets of Islam is denied and the freedom to propagate religion is hampered. Islam has sanctioned war only to ensure the end of violence and restoration of peace. It is the stricture of the Qur'an that even in war one should not shed one's dignity nor should one transgress the limits. In the event of a Muslim society being forced into war, all those who are able and healthy should volunteer. All these efforts of sacrifice to protect the true religion constitute Jihad. The armed war is but the last of them, which would be resorted to, when every other choice fails.
"Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loveth those who are just." Holy Qur'an 60:8
How did Islam spread in the world?
The reason for the rapid spread of Islam was the attraction that the thinking people developed towards an ideal free from superstition upholding the worship of the 'One and Only God', the Creator and the pursuit of His messengers. It was only natural for those thinking people to be drawn to the practice of a faith that sought the path of 'surrender to God', at a time when their perceptions were fogged by false deities, and their agents who posed as priests. The ideal of 'One God, one humanity', simultaneously put forth by Islam, uproots the parochial beliefs put up in the name of ones birth. The access to the message of 'one humanity' experienced by those who were being oppressed in the name of religion and caste, further led to the propagation of Islam. The selfless and sincere lives led by Muslims who migrated different parts of the world for business purposes and the like, also drew the people of those countries to Islam.
To this day, Islam, which ocies the mind of man though manifold noble ways, continues to influence the thoughts and deeds of millions of peoples in all continents around the world, with its sterling ideals.