and a woman is not just a financial and physical arrangement of living
together but a sacred contract, a gift of God, to lead a happy,
enjoyable life and continue the lineage. The main goal of marriage in
Islam is the realization of tranquility and compassions betweenthe
spouses. For the attainment of this supreme goal, Islam defined
certain duties and rights for the husband andwife.
For a detailed account of these mutual duties and rights, we'd like to
cite thefollowing:
"Piety is the basis of choosing the life partner. Many are the
statements of the Qur'an and the Sunnah that prescribe kindness and
equity, compassion and love, sympathy and consideration, patience and
good will. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, says, "The
best Muslim is the one who is best to his family." Also, he says, "…
and the most blessedjoy in life is a good, righteous wife." (Reported
by At-Tirmidhi)
The role of the husband evolves around the moral principle that it is
his solemn duty to Allah to treat his wife with kindness, honor, and
patience; to keep her honorably or free her fromthe marital bond
honorably; and to cause her no harm or grief. Allah Almighty says:
"…consort with them in kindness, for if you hate them it may happen
that you hate a thing wherein Allah has placed much good." (An-Nisa':
19)
The role of the wife is summarized in the verse that women have rights
even as they have duties, according to what is equitable; but men have
a degree over them. Allah Almighty says, "And they (women) have rights
similar to those (of men)over them in kindness, and men are a degree
above them. Allah is Mighty, Wise." (Al-Baqaraqh: 228)
This degree is usually interpreted by Muslim scholars in conjunction
with another passage which states, among otherthings, that men are
trustees, guardians, and protectors of women because Allah has made
some of them excel othersand because men expend of their means. Allah
Almighty says: "Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made the
one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their
property (for the supportof women). So good women are the obedient,
guarding in secret that which Allah has guarded. As for those from
whom you fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart,
and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them.
Lo! Allah is ever High Exalted, Great." (An-Nisa': 34)
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