CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, most Merciful. This research intends to discuss on the significance and importance of marriage to the youth in the contemporary time.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) was a leader of the divine path, honest and sincerity. He was trustful and trustworthy. These few qualities and qualifications were some of the exceptional tools bestowed to the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W).

As a Messenger of Allah, Qur’an clearly places the deliverance of all that Allah (the most high) revealed to him as an obligatory duty. Therefore, his mode of life is worth emulation and a best sample to the whole world. He invited people to believe in Allah. He was mentally aware of the existence of Allah and was always prepared to follow His path. He never changed in his character or nature. In confirmation of these characteristics of the Prophet (S.A.W), the Qur’an says:

(It is the practice of those) who preach the messages of God, and fear Him, and fear none but God. And enough is God to call (men) to account.1

One of the social institution brought by the religion of Islam, is the institution of “marriage”. When the religion prohibits illegal sexual relation, it makes a provision for marriage. Hence, a believer can marry up to four (4) wives at a time. As an exception however the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (S.A.W) married more than four wives. He married a total number of eleven (11) wives in his life time, out of which only nine (9)

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survived with him. As the permission was divinely granted, there must be great wisdom

as well as significance of marriage in the life of the Muslim Ummah.2

1.1 Background of the Study

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent the most Merciful, Praise be to Allah,

the Almighty, the Omnipotent, the one who neither slumber nor sleeps. We give thanks to

Him who created everything in pairs. Among His signs is the creation of man and woman

as company for one another so that they can procreate and live in peace and tranquility.

May His peace and salutation be upon His Messenger, Muhammad (S.A.W). The one

who enjoined youth to marry and also provided excellent example of an ideal marriage.

This research intends to discuss the significance and wisdom of marriage to the

youth in the contemporary time.

Marriage is a basis of Islamic family. A good and sound society can only grow if

a man and woman are bound in a solid relationship through the sacred contract of

marriage. This sacred contract has been enjoined on every able Muslim especially the

youth, men and women, free and slaves in both the Qur’an and Sunnah. Thus in the

Qur’an Allah says:

And marry those among you who are single and (also marry) the salihun (pious) of your (male) slaves and maid servants.3

Allah also says:

Then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three or four, but if you fear that you should not be able to deal justly (with them) then only one or (slaves) that your right hands possess.4

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In another verse Allah says:

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.5

In contrast to other religions, that consider celibacy as a virtue and means of

salvation, Islam considers marriage as one of the virtuous and approved institution.

The Prophet (S.A.W) called on youths where he said:

O group of young men! Whoever among you is able to afford it then let him get married. For verily it is better for lowering the gaze and it is safer for the private parts (i.e from committing illegal sexual intercourse).6

The Prophet (S.A.W) further said:

Marry the loving and the fertile, for verily I will compete by your numbers against the other nations on the Day of Resurrection.7

The commands to marry in the two Ahadith above are more on the youth than

they are to other people. However in another Hadith, a command that seem to be general

has been given by the Prophet (S.A.W) where he said:

Marriage is my sunnah and whoever abstain from my sunnah is not from us8

1.2 Scope and Limitation

The concept of marriage is very wide and this entails studying a large cross