Author: M. Asem Ismail Zahi
The Importance and position of Marriage from the Perspective of Medicine (Part 4)
The importance and necessity of forming a family (Marriage)
Marriage and forming a family are one of the most basic and natural needs of humans. The verses of the Quran show that marriage and mating are the nature of all creatures in the world, including animals, plants, and even inanimate objects. The existence of the nature of creatures in this world is marriage and not loneliness and living alone.
“سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنْبِتُ الْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لا يَعْلَمُونَ” Translation: “Glory be to Allah who created all creatures of the world in pairs, including plants, humans, and what they do not know.” [1]
It is enough to mention the importance of forming a family that Allah Almighty has considered it to be part of the tradition of the prophets (peace be upon them) and has said: “وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلاً مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجاً وَذُرِّيَّةً” Translation: “We sent messengers before you (O Muhammad) and appointed for them wives and children.” [2]
Forming a family (Marriage) is so necessary and important from the perspective of Islam that the Holy Quran has likened the relationship between husband and wife to clothing, just as clothing is necessary for every individual, and a person needs it to cover his private parts and to protect himself from cold and heat, and it is comforting for him, marriage and forming a family are also the same, and a person needs a companion called a wife who brings him peace and tranquility in order to be safe from many deviations and mental and physical harms, so Allah says: “هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ” Translation: “They are (women) your clothing, and you are (men) their clothing.” [3]
And from the perspective of Islam, everyone should intervene in the matter of marriage and not be carefree and never fear poverty and hardship, because Allah Himself will provide for them. Allah says in a general address: “وَأَنْكِحُوا الْأَيَامَى مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ إنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمْ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَاَللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيم” Translation: “Marry your single men and women, and your righteous male and female slaves, if they are poor and needy, Allah will make them free from need out of His bounty. Allah is All- evolvement, All-Knowing.” [4]
The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) also called marriage his Sunnah: “النكاح من سنتي. فمن لم يعمل بسنتي فليس مني” Translation: “Marriage is from my Sunnah (religion). Therefore, whoever does not act according to my Sunnah (laws of religion) is not from me (Ummah)”. [5]
And by doing so, He has increased its value and shown its importance to his followers:
1. “يا معشر الشباب من استطاع منكم الباءة فليتزوج. فإنه أغض للبصر وأحصن للفرج” Translation: “O young people, whoever of you is able to marry, let him marry. Marriage protects the eyes and keeps a person away from adultery.” [6]
As a result of marriage, the sexual instinct, which is one of the strongest human instincts, is placed on its natural path and the person remains largely immune from the sins he commits because of sexual desire.
2. “من كان موسرا لان ينكح ثم لم ينكح فليس منى” Translation: “He who has such wealth and possessions that he can marry with them, but does not marry, then he is not of me and is not on my path.” [7]
These instructions and affirmations have been issued so that the natural needs of human can be met legitimately and in a healthy way, and to avoid mental crises, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and social and moral conflicts. In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is quoted as saying: “الدنيا متاع وخير متاع الدنيا المرأة الصالحة” Translation: “The world is a commodity, and its best and most excellent commodity is a virtuous woman.” [8]
A person controls his sexual instincts and secures his spiritual peace By marriage, and healthy social interactions are achieved under the shadow of forming a family, because by marrying and having children, a person realizes the value of the efforts of his parents and acquires the pleasure and adornment of having children and becoming a parent. It is obvious that such things cannot be achieved without forming a family, and society does not benefit from its spiritual values.
However, Islam advises those who do not have the means to marry to follow the path of chastity and purity and to weaken their sexual powers by fasting, so that Allah Almighty may bestow upon them His grace. Allah says: “وَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ الَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ نِكَاحًا حَتَّى يُغْنِيَهُمْ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ.” Translation: “Those who do not have the means to marry and are unable to pay the dowry and maintenance should strive for chastity and purity so that Allah may bestow upon them His grace and mercy.” [9]
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said in continuation of the previous narration to the youth: “ومن لم يستطع فعليه بالصوم فإنه له وجاء” Translation: “And whoever cannot and does not have the strength to do so, should fast so that his sexual powers are weakened and he does not fall into sin.” [10]
Continues…
References:
- Surah Yasin, Verse: 36.
- Surah Ra’ad, Verse: 38.
- Surah Baqarah, Verse: 187.
- Surah Al-Nour, Verse: 32.
- Al-Qazwini, Muhammad ibn Yazid, Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 1, p. 592, Book of Marriage, Chapter on the Virtues of Marriage, Hadith No.: 1846, Publisher: Dar Al-Fikr – Beirut.
- Ibid.
- Al-Tabarani, Suleiman ibn Ahmad, Al-Mu’jam Al-Kabir, Vol. 22, p. 366, Chapter on the letter Ya’, Abu Nujayj is not attributed to him and is not ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasa, Hadith No.: 920, Second Edition, 1404 – 1983, Publisher: Maktaba Al-‘Ulum Wal-Hikam – Mosul.
- Al-Naysaburi, Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj ibn Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, p. 178, Marriage, Chapter: The Best Enjoyment of this World is the Righteous Woman, Hadith No. 3716, Publisher: Dar al-Jeel, Beirut – Dar al-Afaq al-Jadida, Beirut.
- Surah Al-Nour, Verse: 32.
- Al-Qazwini, Muhammad ibn Yazid, Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 1, p. 592, Book of Marriage, Chapter: What Has Been Said About the Virtue of Marriage, Hadith No. 1845, Publisher: Dar al-Fikr, Beirut.
