Importance of Marriage According to Quran and Sunnah
Unlike other religions, Islam is a strong defender of marriage. The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said: “there is no chastity in Islam.” Marriage is a part of faith or a religious duty and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has also said, “Marriage is my tradition who so ever keeps away from it is not from amongst me”.
Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran: “And among His signs is this that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect.” (Quran, 30:21). Islam emphasizes that marriage has great importance in religion Islam with many benefits that one could get from it.
Allah Almighty first told that both partners, man, and woman, are created from the same source and that this should be paid attention to as it is one of His Signs. In the Holy Quran Allah says: “O Humans revere your Guardian-Lord, Who created you from a single person created of like nature its mate, and from this scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Reverence Allah through Whom you claim your mutual rights” (Quran 4:1). Allah Almighty has made partners of all human beings on this earth for making a family. We should trust on Almighty Allah and have to act according to His teachings and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Marriage serves as a means to emotional and sexual gratification and also a mean of tension reduction. It is also a form of worship because it is obeying Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). By choosing marriage one is displaying obedience to Allah Almighty. Through marriage, the couples achieve mutual affection, mercy, and love. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran: “And He has put between you affection and mercy” (Quran, 30:21)
Marriage increases sustenance, love, respect, caring, selflessness and forgiving factors between husband and wife. The couple will also gain good rewards while having children, upbringing them in accordance with the Islamic teachings. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said regarding marriage in hadith: “O you young men! Whoever is able to marry should marry, for that will help him to lower his gaze and guard his modesty.” (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) considered marriage for a Muslim as half of his religion because it shields him from immorality, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, etc., which ultimately lead to many other evils activities like defamation, quarreling, crime, loss of property and disintegration of the family that Almighty Allah don’t like. According to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the remaining half of the faith can be saved by Taqwa.
Thoughtful consideration of the Quranic instructions and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) clearly shows that marriage is compulsory for a man who has the means to easily pay the Mahr (dowry) and to support a wife and children. Both sides must be free of obstacles to marry and have legal capacity. The bride and the groom must have reached the age of maturity both the bride and the groom must be chaste.
May Almighty Allah protect us all from evil deeds and give us the strength to follow the teachings of Islam. Ameen!
