Attaining peace and composure The man and woman are the...

Attaining peace and composure The man and woman are the foundation and cornerstone of family and Allah has placed such a bond between the two that they begin treading towards a common life; although one of the causes of this attraction is the sexual instincts, the act of marriage steadily brings about a unity of the souls, love and affection, such that each of them begins striving for the prosperity and satisfaction of the other.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “ And of His signs is that He created for you mates from your own selves that you may take comfort in them, and He ordained affection and mercy between you. There are indeed signs in that for a people who reflect.” (Qur’an 30: 31) Two factors ensure the long-lastingness of this peace and composure: love, and kindness.

If either of these lacks in a family, such that love is replaced by hatred, or kindness turns into a grudge, then a family life turns into hellfire which burns not only the family members but other people as well. The peace, composure, and tranquillity that results from marriage, entails numerous spiritual and physical, individual and social benefits, and plays an important role in the development of talents and capabilities, and the preservation of society’s security.

Thus, those who turn away from this divine institution, are incomplete in their existence. Just like a piece of cloth covers a being, protects him from hot and cold, and can be an object of adornment, a man and woman are a covering for each other, and help and adorn each other on the path of perfection. The Holy Qur’an says: “They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them…” (Qur’an 2:187) 3.

Preserving the Human Race Marriage is a means of preserving the human race; Allah states in the Holy Qur’an that one of the aims of creating in pairs (spouses) is in fact the increase in numbers [i.e. growth of the human race].

(Qur’an 42: 11) One of the very basic reasons for the prohibition of homosexuality in Islam is that it would bring an end to the human race because the law of creation has established the attraction between two opposite genders as the means of preservation of the human race.

The Holy Prophet (s) said: “Get married and increase your offspring, for I will boast of your great numbers before the other nations [7] .” The discouragement from marrying infertile individuals, in numerous traditions is also in line with this very principle [8] .