Islam divides roles between a man and his wife. Men are not given absolute power in their home. Women also enjoy some power that can check that of the man in spite of the appellation given to man by Allah (qawwamun) that is the poles. This is epitomized in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with his wives. He used to help them in carrying out house works as well as give them honour that is rightly due. Marriage contract gives both the husband and wife the ability to satisfy their human desire and a way of gaining blessings of Almighty Allah and have children that would help when the parents become old and help in the flow of future generation in a regulated manner. For the success of this contract, the parties have duties to abide by which the Islamic family highlighted such as duties of husband, duties of wife and the duties compulsory on both of them. Generally, marriage has purposes in life. However, in Islam its purpose is more than mere acquisition of worldly gains. Islam considers it as part of one’s religious duty that must be fulfilled to attain maximum piety. Procreation of offspring in Islam is a means for increasing Allah’s servants on earth other than for gaining any advantage in this world. Through marriage a Muslim can come closer to his Creator by performing certain marriage responsibilities, showing tolerance, patience, and other virtues in the relationship. Therefore, marriage in Islam is a means of emotional and sexual satisfaction.
Many of us are ignorant of the basic issues guiding a successful marriage in Islam, and commit a lot of mistakes which will lead to the end of the marriage may be at its early age. All young men and women should encourage themselves to learn and digest to know all the rights of the both parties and consider it as an act of Ibadah instead of looking at it as a way of personal satisfaction.
It is a mechanism of tension reduction, a means of legitimate procreation, social placement and an approach to inter-family alliance and group solidarity. Most importantly, it gives chance for acts of Ibadah and acts of piety. Consequently, both the husband and wife should adhere to the rules, rights and privileges contained in Islamic family law to have a successful marriage. It is correct that a man should be watchful of his wife but this should be done carefully and wisely. He must not resort to anger or violence. He must not make his wife feel that she is being ordered about or else she would react unpleasantly. The best way is, for the man, to be kind and understanding. He must act like a sympathetic partner and explain to his wife about the harms of wrong deeds. She must be made to choose the right path herself with enthusiasm and eagerness. A man should be moderate, that is, he should neither be too strict and fussy, nor should be care-free. A woman, like a man, needs freedom and should be at liberty in her rightful associations. She must be free to communicate with her parents, brothers, and sisters and must be allowed to keep the appropriate type of company. In brief, there are exceptional cases where a woman should be deprived of her desires. But even in such cases one should not step beyond the limits and become too strict. Too much strictness is harmful. It destroys a friendly atmosphere and causes annoyance. Also people should try to know the fundamental principles of Islamic family law in order to do our marriage in accordance with the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and also try to maintain the major roles and duties supposed to be carried by both the husband and wife. Many of us are ignorant of the basic issues guiding a successful marriage in Islam, and commit a lot of mistakes which will lead to the end of the marriage may be at its early age. All young men and women should encourage themselves to learn and digest to know all the rights of the both parties and consider it as an act of Ibadah instead of looking at it as a way of personal satisfaction.
