And, it is clear that, physically and biologically man is...

And, it is clear that, physically and biologically man is equipped far better to deal with the hustle and bustle of the struggle to earn livelihood, while woman is prevented from it by her many physical differences. On the other hand, the body of a woman is geared to pro-creation and child-rearing.

it requires no great philosophical mind to realize that the nature has endowed each group with the ability to efficiently perform only one of the two functions: the man, by nature, is unable to bear and rear a child; likewise, the woman is not meant to bear the back-breaking burden of earning her livelihood or to plunge into the conflicts of society. 22. BENEFITS OF MARRIAGE The above discussion brings us to the benefits of marriage and the philosophy of the matrimonial bond.

Marriage is one of the fundamental sociological institutions. Mankind, since its very beginning, has kept to it without any disruption. Even the so called `uncivilized' tribes and primitive societies treat marriage as a sacred bond. Such an institution must be based on the foundation of the nature itself. Philosophy of Marriage: Islam has based its matrimonial laws on the correlation between masculinity and femininity.

Obviously this comple mentary system in man and woman - and it is the most intricate and inter-related one, permeating their whole beings - was not created in vain or without purpose. The male by his nature is attracted to the female, and vice versa. And this system has only one goal in sight: Procreation. Islamic marriage is based on this reality, and all its matrimonial rules revolve around this axis.

On this foundation are based the Islamic laws concerning chastity and conjugal rights, exclusive attachment of the wife to her husband and the rules.of divorce and `iddah (the waiting-period after a woman has been widowed or divorced before she can re-marry), legitimacy and parentage, custody of children and their upbringing, inheritance and other related matters.

In short, marriage is the only legal and honourable way of satisfying sexual desire, and the husband and wife by their union ensure the sur vival of mankind. Although almost all the burden in this task falls on the woman, the initial steps cannot be taken without the participation of the man. This is the philosophy of marriage. And it also shows the first and primary benefit of matrimony. The Holy Prophet said: Marry and procreate and increase your population . . .