Principles of Marriage and Family Ethics

(Chris Devlin) #1

Prophet(SA)ofIslamandalloftheImams(AS)havelaidgreatemphasis
on the institution of marriage.
"TheProphet(SA)stated:'Whoevergetsmarried,hassafeguardedhalf
of his religion'."
"ImamSadiq(AS)stated:'TwoRak'ats(units)ofamarriedperson'sSa-
lah (prayer) are better than seventy Rak'ats offered by a bachelor'."


Afaithful,pious,andharmoniouspartnerplaysacrucialroleinhav-
ingarespectableandhonestlife.Indeedhavingsuchapartnerisanim-
portantfactorwhenwanting toavoid evildeeds andenables the com-
mitmentofoneselfinperformingtheobligatoryactsofworship.Apious
couple,notonlywouldnotmeetwithanyobstacleinachievingreligious
goals, but would be a source of encouragement to each other.


IsitreallypossibleforafaithfulmanofAllahtogloriouslyfightinHis
way,withouttheapprovalofhiswife?Isitpossibleforanypiousperson
to earn hisliving lawfully, observing allreligious aspects, paying stat-
utoryreligious almsto avoidextravagance, andtospendoncharitable
deeds without the consent of his wife?


Apiouspersonwouldalwaysinvitehispartnertogoodness,justasa
corrupt person would tempthis partnertowards corruption.It is then
reasonablethat.inIslammenandwomen,whowanttogetmarried,are
advisedto regardthe pietyand'goodmannersoftheirfuturepartners,
as essential conditions.


"The Prophet (SA) stated: 'If I were to bestow all the good of both
worldsuponaMuslimperson,Iwouldendowhimwithahumbleheart,
atonguewhichcontinuouslyuttershispraises,abodypatientenoughto
withstand all calamities; and I would give him a pious spouse who,
whenshe seeshim becomeshappy, and protectshis propertyandher
own honour in his absence'."


"OnepersonwenttotheProphet(SA)andsaid:'Ihaveawifewhoal-
wayswelcomesmewhenIcomehome,andescortsmetothedoorwhen
Ileave.Whenshefindsmesadandunhappy,shethen,byconsolingme
says:Ifyouarethinkingofsustenance,thendonotdespair,becauseAl-
lahprovidessustenance;andifyouarethinkingaboutthenextlife,then
may Allah increase your intellect and efforts. Then the Prophet (SA)
stated:'Allahsurelyhasfunctionariesandagentsinthisworldandyour

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