RE: Women Fights for Equality in W.VA Mosque

Purpose of the Marriage


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some Sunnis claim that based on the following verse of Quran

"And Allah has made for our spouses of your own nature, and from your 
spouses has made for you sons and grandsons ..." (Quran 16:72)
the purpose of marriage is reproduction. However, in the temporary marriage 
the above-mentioned purpose is not realized, and thus the couple can not be 
considered husband and wife.

To answer this assertion, we should say: It is true that temporary marriage 
is not primarily intended for reproduction (though the couples can do that 
if they want to). As a matter of fact, many temporary marriages were/are the 
gate for entering the permanent marriages and the establishments of lucky 
families. In many cases the partners will finally permanently marry after 
they saw a good deal of success in their temporary relation.

Even though the human race is guaranteed its survival through marriage, the 
Holy Quran did NOT authorize it exclusively for that, otherwise, it should 
have illegalized any marriage which does not give birth to new generation. 
For instance, the marriage of barren/infertile women as well as old women 
should have been prohibited. Also contraceptive means should not have been 
allowed. But the fact is that none of them are prohibited in Islam. This 
goes to prove that reproduction is NOT the mere goal in marriage.

Moreover, when discussing the issue, fairness requires one to bring other 
reasons that Quran mentioned for engaging in marriage. The above was just 
ONE reason which is usually the case of permanent marriage. But the above 
verse does not say that reproduction is the ONLY reason to marry. There are 
other goals mentioned in Quran for marriage, among which are the following:

1- Having pleasure and enjoying the other partner:

This is clear from the verse of Mut'a itself where Allah said:

"So for those of whom you have pleasure with them (by the contract), you are 
required to give (them) their wages. And there is no sin for you in what you 
both agree after the requirement..." (Quran 4:24)
Pleasure and enjoying mentioned here do not necessarily restrict to physical 
aspects. They do cover the spiritual aspects as well.

2- Tranquillity:

Allah, to whom belong Might and Majesty, said:

"And among His great Signs is that He created for you mates from among 
yourselves so that you get tranquillity by them and He has put love and 
mercy between your (hearts); verily in that are Signs for those who 
reflect." (Quran 30:21)
The goals for marriage mentioned in the above verse are: achieving spiritual 
stability, social and psychological tranquillity, and love and mercy to each 
other. These goals can be attained by both permanent and temporary 
marriages.

3- Providing an alternative way to avoid the sin of fornication:

"Successful indeed are the believers... those who abstain from sex, except 
with those joined to them in the marriage bond or with the slave girls whom 
they rightfully possess for (in their case) they are free from blame. But 
those who go beyond that are transgressors." (Quran 23:1-7)
The traditions of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) provide other reasons for marriage, 
one of which is:

4- Protecting one's religion:

The Messenger of Allah said: "The one who gets married earns 
half/(one-third) of his religion, and therefore, he should fear God for the 
other half/(two third)."
Temporary marriage has safeguarded many good believers (both brothers and 
sisters), and has protected them from falling into the hands of evil and 
sin, and has persevered their faith and religion.

Also "spreading Islam" could be another goal for marriage. In this case, 
however, the temporary marriage is less risky than the permanent marriage. 
And there are many more reasons and goals for marriage.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



From: "Kate Ahmad" <[email protected]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [Progressivemuslimsnetwork] Women Fights for Equality in W.VA 
Mosque
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 09:46:52 +1100

Salaam!
Now I am shocked!  You believe pre marital sex is OK?  I see your point 
about paternity, but I dont think this is the only reason that we have 
marriage first in Islam.  I think that knowing the father is only one aspect 
- what about having a father too?  Family is the basic building block of 
society, and single motherhood is not the same.  So I believe we should 
aspire to marriage and sex within its bounds only.  That said though - I 
dont judge people who make mistakes, although you have to worry if they make 
the same mistake over and over.
Wa'salaam
Aisha


>From: "Afdhere Jama" <[email protected]>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: RE: [Progressivemuslimsnetwork] Women Fights for Equality in W.VA 
>Mosque
>Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 22:11:54 -0800
>

_________________________________________________________________
Hot chart ringtones and polyphonics. Go to  
http://ninemsn.com.au/mobilemania/default.asp
<< message3.txt >>

_________________________________________________________________
High-speed users—be more efficient online with the new MSN Premium Internet 
Software. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us&page=byoa/prem&ST=1