Chapter 2

The Purpose of Marriage

Marriage is a natural necessity for every human being. It bears many
good outcomes of which the most important ones are:

The formation of a familythrough which one can find security and
peaceofmind.Apersonwhoisnotmarriedresemblesabirdwithouta
nest.Marriageservesasashelterforanyonewhofeelslostinthewilder-
nessoflife;onecanfindapartnerinlifewhowouldshareone'sjoyand
sorrow.
The natural sexual desire is both strong and significant. Everyone
shouldhaveapartnerforsatisfyingtheirsexualneedsinasecureandse-
reneenvironment.Everyoneshouldenjoysexualsatisfactioninacorrect
andpropermanner.Thosewhoabstainfrommarriageoftensufferfrom
both physical and psychological disorders. Such disorders and certain
socialproblemsareadirectconsequenceoftheabstinenceofyouthfrom
marriage.
Reproduction:Through marriage the procreation of mankindis con-
tinued.Childrenaretheresultofmarriageandareimportantfactorsin
stabilisingthefamilyfoundationsaswellasasourceofrealjoytotheir
parents.

Agreatdeal ofemphasishasbeengiveninthe HolyQur'anandthe
Traditions to both marriage and having children. The AlmightyAllah
states in the Holy Qur'an:

"And among His signs is this, that He created for you mazes from
among yourselves" (30:21)

"The Prophet (SA) stated: 'There is no better structure founded in
Islam other than marriage'."' "Imam 'All (AS) stated: "Engage in mar-
riage: because this is the tradition of the Prophet (SA) of Allah'."