THE RIGHTEOUS WIFE

1. Describe the role of marriage as the basis of Islamic society.
The institution of marriage plays an important role in Muslim society. Allah has caused love and mercy to flow from it in order to establish in the home an atmosphere of tenderness and affection. Marriage is the basis to remain within the limits set forth by Allah. It establishes a moral society devoid of illicit relationships. One of the main objectives of marriage is to found a family which will contribute to the strength of Islam and community.

2. What is the responsibility of believing parents towards their children?
* To raise children according to the Islamic principles and beliefs.
* To provide them best education and moral training.

3. How should children be brought up and trained in a Muslim family?
Children are a trust from Allah. Parents must instil love of religion and fear of Allah in the minds and hearts of their children. There are various ways how a Muslim parent can bring up and train children, some of which are as follows:
1- Showing the values of good deeds and their effects on the individuals and society; also showing the effects of bad deeds, all within the child's capability of understanding.
2- Parents should be a good example in their behavior because children like to imitate their parents in their sayings and their deeds.
3- Teaching the child the religious principles and tutoring him in worship, taking into account the child's capability of understanding. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “Order your children to pray at the age of seven.”
4- Treating children nicely and kindly.
5- One of the important things that parents must teach their children is to choose the good company and to the avoid the bad ones, because children are always influenced by the company they keep. The bad behavior can be easily transmitted through bad company.
6- Encouraging the child's sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah, by teaching him of the brotherhood between Muslims, teaching him to care for Muslims in any land, and that he is part of the Muslim body, to feel joy when Muslims are joyous, to feel sad for Muslims' sadness.
7. Taking children to the masjid.
8. Teaching them the history of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his companions and the history of Islam, bearing in mind the child's capability of understanding.

4. What is the Qur’anic guiding principle in matter of marriage?
* ‘Corrupt women for corrupt men and corrupt men for corrupt women;
good women for good men and good men for good women’.
* ‘the fornicator shall marry none but a woman who fornicates’.

5. What criterion does the Hadith, mentioned in this lesson, set for a believer in the choice of spouse? What is the wisdom in it?
Religion and piety must be the criterion while choosing one’s life partner. Piety will lead the couple to obey the commands of Allah and fulfil their rights and obligations. Consequently peace and security will prevail in the family.

6. What does the expression ‘may your hand be smeared with dust’ mean?
The Arabs use this expression to encourage someone to do the desired action.

7. Marriage to an idolater or an idolatress is forbidden in Islam. Explain.
Marriage means living under one roof in harmony, love and peace. This will happen only when one’s spouse is of one’s belief system. Marrying someone with conflicting beliefs not only brings about disaster in the family but also defeats the very purpose of marriage.

8. What are the prohibited degrees of marriage?
Prohibited to you for marriage are - Your mothers, daughters, sisters, father’s sisters, mother’s sisters, brother’s daughters, sister’s daughters, foster-mothers, foster-sisters, your wives’ mothers, your step-daughters, wives of your sons proceeding from your loins, and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time; Mushrik men and women until they believe.

9. Seeing the woman to whom one proposes marriage is permissible in Islam. Explain.
In order to avoid future regrets, a Muslim boy is allowed to see the girl to whom one proposes marriage. Here seeing also means knowing about her religious nature. The same is true for a Muslim girl.

10. What are the benefits of marriage? What part may a religious faith play in building a happy marriage?

Some of the benefits of marriage are:
A morally clean society
Prevention and elimination of illicit sex
Peace, love and harmony between the couples,
Adding strength to one’s religion and community.
Continuation of human race.

Religious faith and righteousness keeps the family well knitted with peace and harmony prevailing at home.

11. In Muslim family, what are the rights and the responsibilities of
(a) the husband and (b) the wife?
The Wife's Rights: The Husband's Responsibilities:
1. To treat his wife with honesty, kindness, honour, and patience; and not to cause her any harm or grief.
2. Have full responsibility for providing food, shelter, clothing, general care and wellbeing.
The Husband’s Rights: The wife’s Responsibilities:
1. The wife must be faithful, trustworthy, and honest.
2. To take care of his possessions and children
3. Not to do anything against the wishes of her husband.