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Themes
covered in this section are:
Iimportance
of family in Islam
Marriage in Islam
Women in Islam
Elderly in Islam
Muslim view on death
Muslim Names
The family is the foundation of Islamic society. Peace and security offered by a stable family unit is greatly valued and seen as essential for the spiritual growth of its members.
A harmonious social order is created by the existence of extended families; children are treasured, and rarely leave home until they are married.
Islam exhorts its adherents to maintain close contact with family members and to care for each other including the elderly and the extended family.
A Muslim marriage is not a ‘sacrament’ but a simple, legal agreement in which each party is free to include conditions.
The main components of marriage include the proposal (offer) and acceptance by the bride and the groom in the presence of witnesses and the payment of Mahr (dowry). Marriage customs vary from country to country but the fundamentals remain the same. According to Islam, no Muslim female can be forced to marry against her will; her parents will simply suggest young men they think may be suitable. As a result, divorce is not common, although it is permissible as a last resort.The religion of Islam was revealed for all societies and all times and so it accommodates widely differing social requirements. If circumstances warrant the taking of another wife, Islam sanctions this right only under a strict condition that the husband is scrupulously fair and just, with ample economic ability to support another wife. This is to be done in consultation with both partners. If the man cannot be totally fair to both wives, the Qur’an advises that he should not marry more than one. The recommendation to marry "only one" is very specific and is the norm. Today, it is rare for a Muslim man to have more than one wife. Fourteen centuries ago there were many widows and women often abandoned. To offset the large number of unprotected women Islam allowed marriage to a maximum of four wives, considering that polygyny was a commonly accepted practice of the time. Islam, subject to the conditions indicated above, allows polygyny and gives proper legal status and social recognition to all concerned including the offsprings.
Polygyny, however, is illegal in Australia and Muslims are required to adhere to Australian law.
Islam sees a woman, whether single or married, as an individual in her own right, with the right to own and dispose of her property and earnings.
The groom gives a marriage dowry to the bride for her own personal use, and she keeps her own family name rather than taking her husband’s.
Men and women are equal in the sight of God although they play different but complementary, mutually supportive and reinforcing roles in the family and society.
Islam gave rights to the woman at a time when there was no equality between men and women. Both men and women are expected to dress in a way that is modest and dignified. The traditions of female dress found in some Muslim countries are often the expression of local customs.
The
Messenger of God (pbuh) said: ‘The
most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manner and
kindest to his wife’ (Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah).
In the Islamic world old people’s homes are very rare.The strain of caring for one’s parents in this most difficult time of their lives is considered an honour and blessing, and an opportunity for great spiritual growth.
God asks that we not only pray for our parents, but act with limitless compassion, remembering that when we were helpless children they put us before themselves.
Mothers are particularly honoured: the Prophet taught that ‘Paradise lies at the feet of your mother’ (Al-Jami & Musnad Al-Shihab). When they reach old age, Muslim parents are treated mercifully, with kindness and selflessness.
In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second only to prayer, and it is the parents’ right to expect it.
The Qur’an says: "Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and be kind to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say "fie’ to them or chide them, but speak to them in terms of honour and kindness. Treat them with humility, and say ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them, for they did care for me when I was little’ (17:23-4).
Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe that the present life is only a trial and preparation for the next realm of existence in the Hereafter.
Death, therefore is another state of the living soul - although the physical self has decayed and become a part of the earth, the spiritual self is still aware and in a state of sleep awaiting its Resurrection.
Death is not a time for mourning or uncontrolled wailing and weeping, instead it is a time for sober reflection. When a Muslim dies, he or she is washed, usually by a family member, wrapped in a clean white cloth, and buried with a simple prayer preferably on the same day.
Muslims consider this one of the final services they can do for their relatives and an opportunity to remember their own brief existence here on earth.
The Prophet (pbuh) taught that three things can continue to help a person even after death; charity which he had given, knowledge which he had taught and prayers on their behalf by a righteous child.
Muslims generally derive many names from the Holy Qur’an. However, this is not compulsory. Muslims can have the names derived from their own culture and language.
It has become common practice to have at least the first name coming from the Holy Qur’an to reflect something about one’s faith and character, as most Muslim names have a strong spiritual meaning.
Many of the names are similar to the Anglicised versions of the Bible. For instance, Yahya (John), Ayub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Isa (Jesus), Maryam (Mary), Dawood (David), Nuh (Noah), Adam (Adam), Zakriyah (Zachariah) are just a few examples.