Marriage is considered a natural desire of human beings in response to their instincts. In Islam, it is a sacred institution on which the human perfection is attained and the society is formed. The bond between men and women is of such importance that it is referred to as a solemn covenant in the Qur’an: “…And they have taken from you a solemn covenant” (Qur’an 3: 21).
Significance of Marriage in Islam
Marriage is the holy legal tie between a man and a woman through which they share the same life and reciprocate definite rights and obligations. It is the only means through which righteous progeny is produced. It is through this legal union that chastity and immunity against corruption is achieved. In view of this, several verses of Qur’an and Hadiths have laid emphasis on this.
The Qur’an says:
Marry off those who are single among you, and the upright among your male and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His grace, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing. (1)
And,
The Prophet (PBUHH) said:
There has not been created any institution in Islam which is more favored and dearer to Allah than marriage. He who gets married wins the half of his religion. Hence, he should fear Allah in questions regarding the other half
And,
Marriage is my custom; therefore, he who rejects my custom is not belonged to me. Get married, for I will take pride in your great numbers on the Day of Resurrection.
And,
The two-rakaa prayer offered by the married is preferred to the whole night worship and the fasting of the bachelors.
Benefits of Marriage
Marriage secures easeful subsistence, tranquility, and freedom from worry. Naturally, man alone spends his day encountering the crises of life and striving for seeking earnings. He can find relief nowhere except in the shadows of his darling, sincere wife, who tries to ease his troubles, encompasses him with kind treatment and affectionate conduct.
Referring to this fact, God says:
The Prophet (s) said:
Subsequent to the embracement of Islam, the best thing that a Muslim can profit is a Muslim wife, who pleases him when he looks at her and has loyalty to him in honor and property.
NOTES:
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1. The Holy Quran 24:32
2. The Holy Quran 30:21
3. The Holy Quran 30:21