"TheProphet(SA)ofAllahstated:'Whoeverchoosestofollowmytra-
ditionmust get marriedandproduceoffspring through marriage(and
increasethepopulationofMuslims)sothatonthedayofresurrectionI
shallconfrontotherUmmah's(nations)withthe (great)numbersofmy
Ummah."
ImamRiza (AS)stated:"Thegreatestgainforamanisafaithfulwo-
manwho,whensheseeshim,becomeshappyandprotectshisproperty
and her own honour in his absence".
What has been dealt with so far in this chapter has been only the
worldlyandanimalisticsideof marriagewhichthe animalsalsoshare:
thebenefitsofcompanionship andreproduction.Assuchthe truepur-
poseofmarriage forthehuman raceisof adifferentkind.Mankindis
notmeanttohaveenteredthisworldsolelyinordertoeat,drink,sleep.
seek pleasure or act lustfully,and then to die and be destroyed. The
status of manis higher thansuch deeds. Human beings are meant to
trainthemselvesandtheirsoulsbygainingknowledge.committinggood
deeds, and behaving with good manners. Man is meant to take steps
alongthestraightpathtoachievenearnesstoAlmightyAllah.Mankind
isacreationthat isableto cleansehissoulandbyavoidingevildeeds
andexercisinggoodbehaviourreachalevelofsuchhighstatusthateven
theangelsarenotabletoattain.Manisacreaturethatiseternal.Hehas
cometothisworldsothatbytheguidanceoftheprophets andtheim-
plementationoftheprogrammessetbythereligion(ofIslam),tosecure
his happiness in thisworld and the Hereafter;so that he could livea
peaceful life in the next world eternally.
Therefore,thepurposeofmarriageshouldbesearchedforinthisspir-
itual context. The aim of marriage for a religious person should be a
meansofavoidingevildeedsandpurgingone'ssoulofsins.Itshouldbe
ameansofacquiringnearnesstotheAlmightyAllah.Itisinthiscontext
that a suitable and good partner assumes an important role.
Whentwobelievers,throughmarriage,formafamily,theirsexualre-
lationship would benefit them in strengthening their mutual love and
kindness,forsuchacouple,therewouldnotexistanydangerousthreats
of sexual perversion, dangerous addictions or unlawful deeds. The