In Islam marriage is more than finding a life partner; it builds the family, the marital bond and wider social ties. A piece on RTV Online's religion page sets out ten benefits of marriage drawn from the Quran and hadith.

In one hadith the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that when a servant marries he completes half of his religion and must fear God for the other half (Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman, 5486). He also said that young men able to marry should do so, as it helps lower the gaze and guard chastity, and those unable should fast (Sahih al-Bukhari).

The Quran calls the marital bond one of God's signs: He created spouses for people from among themselves so they may find tranquillity in them, and placed love and mercy between them (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:21). Husband and wife are called garments for one another (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:187); as clothing covers and protects, so each is a refuge of security, support and trust for the other.

Surah An-Nur (24:32) commands marrying off the unmarried and says that if they are poor, God will enrich them from His bounty. The piece explains that this means trusting in God rather than thinking a lawful marriage impossible for fear of money, though it does not mean everyone's circumstances will change the same way after marriage. Marriage also establishes the lawful family and lineage (Surah An-Nahl, 16:72).

The Prophet said the best of this world's goods is a righteous wife (Sahih Muslim). He also said that when a person dies his deeds end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous child who prays for him (Sahih Muslim).

The piece concludes that in Islam marriage is an important means of keeping chastity, finding family peace, supporting one another, raising children well and seeking God's pleasure.

Photo: Amr Fayez / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

Source: RTV Online