ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Family Idolatry of Traditions There are certain traditions that have become so widespread as to be now generally accepted as if they were God given laws whereas they do not in reality have any connection with Islam. They are in fact contradictory to the laws of God. The idolatry of customs and the prevalence of deviations is a major problem which faces almost every country.

Hence, the necessity arises for visionaries and academics to undertake a courageous stand against this crippling malady and to point out its weaknesses. These traditions at times assume a holy nature which can make the people all the more ready to believe them and put them into practice.

It is not proper either from a religious or intellectual standpoint to pay attention to the compatibility of star signs of the husband or the wife, and although it is correct that a marriage taking place when the moon is in Cancer will not be joyous, even this may be eliminated through supplication, Qur'anic verses or almsgiving. There are also certain foreign customs which have reached the Islamic world which observe that the married couple should not be related in any way.

This is not correct as can be seen in the marriage of 'Ali and Fatima and certain of the Imams and their sons. It is related that the Emissary of God looked to the children of 'Ali and those of 'Aqiel saying 'Our daughters are for our sons and our sons are for our daughters'. 55 Indeed, the habit of Muslims from the beginning of Islam was to marry between cousins on the mother's and father's side. Whatever the case may be, Islamic standards should not be mixed up with Western standards.

The Rights of the Married Couple The husband has no right over his wife other than the conjugal right, and in the matter of her exit from the house for purposes other than in fulfilling her duties 56 since: 'No creature should be obeyed at the cost of disobedience to the Creator'. 57 These rights are brought together in the following Qur'anic verses : 'And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable'.

58 'They are your garments and ye are their garments'. 59 'But men have a degree over them'.