The institution of marriage in islam
Marriage (Nikah) in Islamic law has varied meanings depending on the legal school of thought. Some said it means only the contract, while some others said it is sexual intercourse while others said it is both. To me it is only contract because if it means sexual intercourse then child marriage is not possible as due to physiology many children will be unable to have sex that means many children will be unable to marry. Hadith in Bukhari also states Prophet married Ayesha at 6 and consummated her at 9 so this means marriage is only the contract which happened at age 6 for Ayesha. The waiting period is to cleanse her womb and prepare her mentally and physically.
Quran 30:21
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.
Commentary of Quran 30:21
God has created for us mates of opposite sex. This also excludes bestiality, homosexuality and lesbianism. The ingredients of this relationship is tranquility, mercy and affection. These are the pillars and essential traits of a lawful couple. In a happy and devoted matrimony, the standard of relationship is not by material gratification or material fulfilment but by exchange of continuous intense empathy and feelings. The question is never asked by any as to how much my husband or wife doing, rather they just do it. Unlike in feminism it's all about questions such as, did my husband do his part or how much is he doing, that I should for him. This dead tasteless relationship better not exist! Recipe for fast divorce. The feminists don't understand that the meaning of matrimony is devotion, feelings and spiritual ecstasy as Quran stated. Even though you can hire maid to clean your house, or nanny to look after children or prostitute to fulfill sexual desires having wife achieves them in a totally different meaning of human existence, a relational existence of feelings and not of commodity. This divinely infused tranquility flourishes on the ideological standpoint of patriarchy where both the man and woman will know well their respective positions, duties and responsibilities due to Islam creating values and traits which both can agree on under God and His Prophet. When positions are defined properly and features and traits shared by the couple and agreed on then interaction and communication become smooth in a matrimony. Understand that an adult rational woman has full right to choose her Muslim husband and her father can only play an advisory role, where as the father has full guardianship for a child’s marriage. Guardianship in Islam whether of an orphan, daughter, wife or ruled female subject is to protect her from harm and ensure her material, moral, spiritual and emotional welfare given female weakness in mind and body. If a guardian is using her to empower his own position and wellbeing then the guardianship is dropped revoked and Islamic government Islamic ruler becomes the guardian.
If a guardian abuses his position for example marrying the girl with an immoral man or mistreating the girl for financial gains, then guardianship is dropped, and Islamic government takes charge as the guardian of the girl. In order to achieve justice and welfare of the girl the guardian must be an adult, just, reasonable and discerning. The Islamic court must verify these conditions are met. The girl if she chooses to disprove her guardian as incapable of these then she can and Islamic court must give her chance, and this can also be triggered once the Islamic court asks her about how confident she is about her guardian’s advisory role.
Further reading
www.researchgate.net/publication/347424572_The_Islamic_Society_The_Sociological_Perspective_4th_Ed
Section "Marriage and Family"
Quran 4:3
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:3
This allows child marriage (orphans) if you can care for the child. Islam did not set a minimum marriage age because it does not want to prevent a good match. Marriage in Islam is well defined with rights of girls and women protected. A socio-cultural barbarism in no way defines the negativity of Islamic marriage but enforces the fact that Islam is needed more than ever to these barbaric societies from east to west. Further reading www.researchgate.net/publication/347424572_The_Islamic_Society_The_Sociological_Perspective_4th_Ed Section "Child Marriage"
Secular civilization has belittled marriage and are living without marriage as couples by mutual agreement between the two. In Islam however marriage is a sacred and blessed bond that occurs under God and in front of people. Marriage needs witness, dowry and remembrance of God to make it valid. A religious, wealth creating marriage in front of people is a union and agreement that creates responsibility, sense of duty and sense of long -term commitment unlike two couples agreeing to live with each other. Islamic marriage activates further legal injunctions for both the couple, their children and relatives which is not found in secular arrangement. Islamic marriage thus creates wide ranging religious, familial, social, economic, financial and legal consequences.
Polygamy has been prescribed and it has many benefits: safeguarding from married and unmarried infidelity, wealth distribution, relationship building and cohesion, growth of family values, improved demography, enhanced sexual experience through virginity and chastity some of the benefits. Also, people may say polygamy will cause overpopulation and that is a bad thing. As Gandhi said once world has enough for people’s need but not enough for his greed. Overpopulation is a blessing provided this population is moral and educated. While west and east are facing an existential threat due to lack of population Muslims have a large population and they can utilize it to their advantage. Population is a great resource economic, financial, demographic and military but what this massive Muslim population needs is Islamisation and the push towards right direction. Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google could never become global giants if it were not for a large market consisting of a large population. Feminists say why cannot a woman marry four wives? Apart from biological issues such as difficulty in determining father and such there is also the issue of leadership and guardianship which has been given to patriarchy rather than matriarchy.
Here justice means material, physical and financial justice but not emotional justice because one cannot possibly give equal love to all wives and even if he were to give, measuring it would be impossible.
Quran 24:32
And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:32
God commands us to marry righteous men and women whether they are free or enslaved. This shows that even slaves were Muslims so this propaganda that Islam wants to enslave all non-Muslims is baseless. God's enriching us is not necessarily some kind of divine intervention and descending of wealth and riches from heaven. God's enrichment can be achieved by blessings in our lives, our jobs, our efforts and in the Islamic governance through enrichment of Islamic treasury. This God enrichment of Islamic treasury is to be spent in social welfare including marriage of unmarried people. The Islamic government can spend only in the marriage ceremony and dowry, in opening a bushiness for the husband, in repaying the male's loan etc.
Quran 2:221
Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe; for a believing slave-woman is better than a free polytheist, even though she may look pleasant to you. And do not marry your women to polytheistic men until they believe, for a believing slave-man is better than a free polytheist, even though he may look pleasant to you. They invite ˹you˺ to the Fire while Allah invites ˹you˺ to Paradise and forgiveness by His grace. He makes His revelations clear to the people so perhaps they will be mindful. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:221
A husband and wife form a family unit and there is often inclination and sympathy. A husband may incline to wife and vice-versa. That is why Quran and Sunnah commands to marry pious and chaste men and women. For Muslim men the chaste practicing Jews and Christians are allowed as wives but not idol worshipping/polytheistic women. Due to a dominant position of men both by their finance, biology and psychology he may persuade the Christian or Jewish wife to adopt Islam due to similarities in the religions and the prophets. Also, Islam unlike Judaism and Christianity clarifies and exposes the proper and greater contexts of Christian and Jewish prophets by names and missions which may become a persuading factor for the Jewish and Christian wives. However, Quran rejects polytheism and nothing in polytheism is revealed or prophetic so there is no fundamental common ground. Due to this fundamental difference a Muslim is prohibited to marry polytheist women.
Quran 2:223
Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:223
The wife is like a farmland and the husband is like the farmer. A perfect parable from God in relation to the husband and wife. A good and caring farmer will always care for his farmland. In this verse God allows the believers to have any form of sexual intercourse except this verse has been qualified by Sunnah where it prohibits anal sex. This verse contains the many sex positions and that is a meaning of “so come to your place of cultivation however you wish”. In sexual act God commands us to bring forth righteousness and this means to be civil and well -behaved during sex and not brute and aggressive as is the fantasy of western porn culture. The Sunnah explains the protocols of having sex. There is no marital rape in Islam. Sexual right is enforced unless for a justified reason. The husband can enforce his right of sexual intercourse and wife as well through Islamic court.
Quran 2:187
It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives. They are clothing for you, and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:187
God has allowed sexual intercourse in the nights of Ramadan. Here God makes it clear that no secret should be kept between husband and wife as they are cloth to each other. God makes it clear that the relationship of husband and wife is the most intimate and close in the world, and it is only the relationship of husband and wife that God promises in paradise to continue.
A sexual practice that was previously forbidden during the night of Ramadan.
Quran 33:59
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 33:59
God is commanding the believing women that is Muslim women to cover their whole body by an outer garment. This is much like the outer garments many pious Iranian women wear today in Qom. This command has been given to distinguish Muslim women from pagan women whom were flirted with for sexual favors by evil people in Medina. This context was most probably before revelation of punishment of adultery either by stoning or by lashing or else there would not be any girls or women from slaves or pagan, displaying themselves at night. Secondly, one may say non-Muslim women can wear whatever they like under Islamic rule, as this verse only commands Muslim women to cover themselves? That is not the case. Prophet came and took charge of a weak Medina, infested with foreign spies of Mecca, hostile Jews and hypocrites. The power and resources of Muslims were also weak for some time, so full Islamisation of Medina was a gradual process and not an instant achievement. This is also due to the fact that Quran was being revealed gradually unlike today where we have full Quran. Today however we have Muslim countries and Islam is complete, so the excuse of nudity and pornification in Islamic rule cannot be justified. Moral policing is established by many other verses of Quran and that has been discussed. Hijab thus needs to be enforced in Islamic rule. During time of prophet Muslims were Quranic Muslims unlike today's misguided liberal and secularists who fight against Hijab and Islamic rule, so prophet didn't force Muslims to wear Hijab because those Muslims were champions in following Islam, so they needn't force or threat of law. Note that force is not needed to make someone turn to God as a forced heart cannot be devoted to God, however force is needed to maintain public welfare, security and interest of the Islamic rule. In this sense one who doesn't fast or pray cannot be punished because force cannot return their faith or devotion to God. These ritual -abandoning sinners need to be preached to and reasoned with. The only exception to this forced worship is children (safeeh) who needs to be trained and habituated to do worship unlike adults.
Quran 24:31
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:31
God commands the believing women that is Muslim women to guard their sight and sexual organ, that is to say God prohibits looks of lust and evil towards strangers and preserve your chastity.
The adornment of a woman is her body and beauty. The Hadith states that the woman is adornment. However, God has made it easy for them to expose what is evident such as face and palm of the hand and feet as we understand from the Sunnah.
This verse legislates the Hijab. Know that Hijab is not only a piece of cloth but a system of conscience, mindset and lifestyle. The Sunnah clearly explains what is to be covered and how is to be covered. The general picture is that woman needs to cover their whole body and hair with loose fitting cloth so that it does not reveal the shape of the body. The breasts, buttocks and the thighs are the most tempting parts of the outward body while the vagina is something that is inside of the body. So, God here addresses the issue of outwardly adornment which implies the covering of inwardly adornment as well. The evident or apparent adornment is the state of the body without covering by a hijab, but not the actual naked body. So generally, whatever is worn customarily inside the house in a certain Muslim culture need to be covered in front of people other than those mentioned in the verse.
The wisdom of Hijab is to prevent physical desire towards women. The biological attraction between man and woman is a fact and God given and so God commands us to preserve this attraction by His laws so that society and families are safeguarded from sexual hedonism and sexual crimes. Hijab along with restricted movement of woman’s physique minimizes immorality and sexual crimes. The reason for Hijab on women is due to the sexual psychology of men. According to sociological researches male sexuality is direct, aggressive and continuous while female sexuality is buried under layers of emotions. Men are more respondent to physical appearance of women while women are respondent to specific forms of physical touch by men. Hijab thus have two aspects: One is faith-based aspect and other is preventive aspect, so you see Islamic Iran has obligated Hijab for all women even non-Muslims as well as even many western countries implement a dress code to maintain a psychological aspect in their work cultures.
What this verse prohibits is all forms of sexualized dances and movements. Today women are sexually objectified by the way their bodies are portrayed in media and entertainment. Islam is against this humiliation of women. By this sexualization of women a society is pornified and Islamic jurisdiction must enforce laws against such trends and acts. Woman is the greatest trial (Fitna) for men and when men breaks society will collapse, especially Islamic society and Islamic human capital and as a consequence Islamic rule. Woman is the seed which grows sexual hedonism and satanism.
Quran 24:60
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:60
A woman who doesn't desire sexual gratification through marriage doesn't need to cover her outward beauty and can only wear customary dress even in public. A woman who doesn't desire marriage and sex is generally biologically unable to desire sex due to mostly old age so also men are not tempted by her and she is not tempted by men. Rare medical conditions which prevent a young girl from having any libido but by whom men can be tempted is not included in this verse. Many verses of Quran are addressing by statistical significance or the common nature or customary practice so they must be understood in these aspects.
Quran 33:32
O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech. (FBL/NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 33:32
God here prohibits any form of attractive speeches from wives of Prophet, that is God obligates on them a higher level of piety. Flirting by speech can be tempting and lead to immorality. Muslim women also following the example of Prophet’s wives are also not like flirting women.
Quran 2:222
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:222
Islamic ritualistic purifications are just a symbolic and practical ways of distancing yourself from human filth. Human mind consists of both spiritual and biological filth and the purification is just a reminder that inherent humanity is above this, which will be realized in paradise. Hence menstruation is impurity and sexual intercourse during it is forbidden. A woman is in a state of impurity while in menstruation so she cannot pray or fast. The detailed legal rulings regarding menstruation are in classical and modern Islamic law books of both Shia and Sunni.
Quran 65:4
And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 65:4
Those who are being divorced, and they have no menstruation or is pregnant then waiting period of these women before they can marry again is either three months or until delivery whichever applicable.
Quran 66:5
Perhaps his Lord, if he divorced you [all], would substitute for him wives better than you - submitting [to Allah ], believing, devoutly obedient, repentant, worshipping, and traveling - [ones] previously married and virgins. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 66:5
The qualities of a good wife is that she is faithful and practicing Muslim, devoted to God and repentant. Such a wife understands best the honor and importance of husband and loyalty to him.
Quran 2:226
For those who swear not to have sexual relations with their wives is a waiting time of four months, but if they return [to normal relations] - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:226
If a man swears not to have sexual intercourse with his wife, then Quran gives the woman right to seek divorce after four months waiting period but if sexual activity takes place before four months then the relationship continues. Here Quran establishes the right of woman to have sexual intercourse because Quran here is against husband and for wife. The waiting period for a woman is to prepare her emotional and biologically due to the possibility of her pregnancy due to the latest sexual intercourse with the husband.
Quran 24:30
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:30
God here commands the Muslim men to not lust at unlawful women by their sights and to preserve their chastity. The proper Hijab of women combined with prohibition of men’s lustful looks is a strong preventive model against sexual crimes and sexual immorality.
Quran 5:5
…And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers. (FBL/NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 5:5
God allows believing men to marry chaste women from believers and Christians and Jews who practice their religion. By this adulterer is prohibited to be married whether Muslim adulterer or Christian and Jew. The Islamic court must ensure that the marriage that is taking place between Muslim man and a chaste Muslim woman or chaste Christian or Jew is genuine and that no hidden agenda is served by this marriage such as exploiting women for prostitution or using them for immigration or using them for private sexual pleasure etc. So, the marriage must be known by Islamic court under proper Islamic protocols of marriage. A marriage can take place in private by few witnesses but that will be acceptable to God but to pragmatize the marriage for future legal issues it must be documented by Islamic court, by authority.
Quran 4:4
And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:4
This verse establishes the rule of dowry from husband to wife. The female has triple financial incentives: from inheritance, from dowry and from husband's finance under his care. Islam has made females' lives comfortably and lessened their burden by reducing religious, financial and political works. Still feminists cry and complain against Islam because feminism is all about matriarch power and domination. It's a satanic dystopian social construct challenging harmonious disciplined equity based social construct from God. This verse also allows female to withdraw their claim from dowry and this is an opportunity and opening for joint collaboration of mutual support and care where wife gives a boost to the husband financially so the husband can in turn take care of the family by utilizing this dowry wealth.
Quran 4:22
And do not marry those [women] whom your fathers married, except what has already occurred. Indeed, it was an immorality and hateful [to Allah ] and was evil as a way. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:22
A pagan practice was to marry widow of one's father. God prohibited this immoral unethical practice. Islam establishes a moral and ethical order in relationship to preserve our moral and ethical conscience and lineage.
Quran 4:23
Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your [milk] mothers who nursed you, your sisters through nursing, your wives' mothers, and your step-daughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives unto whom you have gone in. But if you have not gone in unto them, there is no sin upon you. And [also prohibited are] the wives of your sons who are from your [own] loins, and that you take [in marriage] two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already occurred. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:23
Islam establishes a moral and ethical order in sexual relationship to preserve our moral and ethical conscience and lineage. This divine model also has a far-reaching effect on demographic and behavioral evolution which need sophisticated social, biological and psychological studies to even get a hint of the deep wisdom in it. The administration of this law of marriage and sexuality can only be done by Islamic government. Islamic rules and regulations demand an effective efficient model of oversight and implementation so that Muslims can follow them best. The only way this is possible is by a theocracy, as prophet and the rashida caliph showed us.
Critics always mention is Islamic marriage can be incest because Islam allows marriage of close relatives. However, this practice is scientific and rational. This practice psychologists and evolutionary scientists call kin selection. It is that favor the reproductive success of one’s relatives, sometimes even at a cost to the individual’s own survival. It can help explain a range of social interactions and not just altruistic cooperation. The simplest cases are that when interacting individuals are more closely related, they should be more likely to cooperate, show more restraint, and show less aggression. Kin selection theory predicts when individuals should behave altruistically and also when they should curtail their selfishness.
Quran 4:24
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:24
The verse implies honesty, sincerity and good intention towards seeking women for marriage and the desire to fulfill religion through marriage and complete the marriage life on equity and mutual love. This verse also prohibits any approach towards marriage or desire towards married women. A trend exists in many societies where married women and men who are not their husbands get to know each other for marriage. This is because such married women are either separated or have decided mutually with their husbands to get divorce. This is forbidden. Also note that Islam here created an opportunity for slave women to be married and achieve their freedom. Islam has facilitated many mechanisms of emancipation of slaves because Islam came to abolish slavery through reformation. Instead of banning outright slavery which was a deep rooted business and social model, Islam first proposed restructuring slave-master relationship based on equity, justice and sympathy which is the pathway to abolishment of this unjust institution.
Quran 24:33
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty…(NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:33
Even if the treasury of Islamic state is enriched then this is also enriching by God and thus the Islamic government will implement marriage framework for unmarried low-income people. This is to preserve morality, continue and enhance demography and create social cohesion.
And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought.
Commentary of Quran 30:21
God has created for us mates of opposite sex. This also excludes bestiality, homosexuality and lesbianism. The ingredients of this relationship is tranquility, mercy and affection. These are the pillars and essential traits of a lawful couple. In a happy and devoted matrimony, the standard of relationship is not by material gratification or material fulfilment but by exchange of continuous intense empathy and feelings. The question is never asked by any as to how much my husband or wife doing, rather they just do it. Unlike in feminism it's all about questions such as, did my husband do his part or how much is he doing, that I should for him. This dead tasteless relationship better not exist! Recipe for fast divorce. The feminists don't understand that the meaning of matrimony is devotion, feelings and spiritual ecstasy as Quran stated. Even though you can hire maid to clean your house, or nanny to look after children or prostitute to fulfill sexual desires having wife achieves them in a totally different meaning of human existence, a relational existence of feelings and not of commodity. This divinely infused tranquility flourishes on the ideological standpoint of patriarchy where both the man and woman will know well their respective positions, duties and responsibilities due to Islam creating values and traits which both can agree on under God and His Prophet. When positions are defined properly and features and traits shared by the couple and agreed on then interaction and communication become smooth in a matrimony. Understand that an adult rational woman has full right to choose her Muslim husband and her father can only play an advisory role, where as the father has full guardianship for a child’s marriage. Guardianship in Islam whether of an orphan, daughter, wife or ruled female subject is to protect her from harm and ensure her material, moral, spiritual and emotional welfare given female weakness in mind and body. If a guardian is using her to empower his own position and wellbeing then the guardianship is dropped revoked and Islamic government Islamic ruler becomes the guardian.
If a guardian abuses his position for example marrying the girl with an immoral man or mistreating the girl for financial gains, then guardianship is dropped, and Islamic government takes charge as the guardian of the girl. In order to achieve justice and welfare of the girl the guardian must be an adult, just, reasonable and discerning. The Islamic court must verify these conditions are met. The girl if she chooses to disprove her guardian as incapable of these then she can and Islamic court must give her chance, and this can also be triggered once the Islamic court asks her about how confident she is about her guardian’s advisory role.
Further reading
www.researchgate.net/publication/347424572_The_Islamic_Society_The_Sociological_Perspective_4th_Ed
Section "Marriage and Family"
Quran 4:3
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice]. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:3
This allows child marriage (orphans) if you can care for the child. Islam did not set a minimum marriage age because it does not want to prevent a good match. Marriage in Islam is well defined with rights of girls and women protected. A socio-cultural barbarism in no way defines the negativity of Islamic marriage but enforces the fact that Islam is needed more than ever to these barbaric societies from east to west. Further reading www.researchgate.net/publication/347424572_The_Islamic_Society_The_Sociological_Perspective_4th_Ed Section "Child Marriage"
Secular civilization has belittled marriage and are living without marriage as couples by mutual agreement between the two. In Islam however marriage is a sacred and blessed bond that occurs under God and in front of people. Marriage needs witness, dowry and remembrance of God to make it valid. A religious, wealth creating marriage in front of people is a union and agreement that creates responsibility, sense of duty and sense of long -term commitment unlike two couples agreeing to live with each other. Islamic marriage activates further legal injunctions for both the couple, their children and relatives which is not found in secular arrangement. Islamic marriage thus creates wide ranging religious, familial, social, economic, financial and legal consequences.
Polygamy has been prescribed and it has many benefits: safeguarding from married and unmarried infidelity, wealth distribution, relationship building and cohesion, growth of family values, improved demography, enhanced sexual experience through virginity and chastity some of the benefits. Also, people may say polygamy will cause overpopulation and that is a bad thing. As Gandhi said once world has enough for people’s need but not enough for his greed. Overpopulation is a blessing provided this population is moral and educated. While west and east are facing an existential threat due to lack of population Muslims have a large population and they can utilize it to their advantage. Population is a great resource economic, financial, demographic and military but what this massive Muslim population needs is Islamisation and the push towards right direction. Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google could never become global giants if it were not for a large market consisting of a large population. Feminists say why cannot a woman marry four wives? Apart from biological issues such as difficulty in determining father and such there is also the issue of leadership and guardianship which has been given to patriarchy rather than matriarchy.
Here justice means material, physical and financial justice but not emotional justice because one cannot possibly give equal love to all wives and even if he were to give, measuring it would be impossible.
Quran 24:32
And marry the unmarried among you and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they should be poor, Allah will enrich them from His bounty, and Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:32
God commands us to marry righteous men and women whether they are free or enslaved. This shows that even slaves were Muslims so this propaganda that Islam wants to enslave all non-Muslims is baseless. God's enriching us is not necessarily some kind of divine intervention and descending of wealth and riches from heaven. God's enrichment can be achieved by blessings in our lives, our jobs, our efforts and in the Islamic governance through enrichment of Islamic treasury. This God enrichment of Islamic treasury is to be spent in social welfare including marriage of unmarried people. The Islamic government can spend only in the marriage ceremony and dowry, in opening a bushiness for the husband, in repaying the male's loan etc.
Quran 2:221
Do not marry polytheistic women until they believe; for a believing slave-woman is better than a free polytheist, even though she may look pleasant to you. And do not marry your women to polytheistic men until they believe, for a believing slave-man is better than a free polytheist, even though he may look pleasant to you. They invite ˹you˺ to the Fire while Allah invites ˹you˺ to Paradise and forgiveness by His grace. He makes His revelations clear to the people so perhaps they will be mindful. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:221
A husband and wife form a family unit and there is often inclination and sympathy. A husband may incline to wife and vice-versa. That is why Quran and Sunnah commands to marry pious and chaste men and women. For Muslim men the chaste practicing Jews and Christians are allowed as wives but not idol worshipping/polytheistic women. Due to a dominant position of men both by their finance, biology and psychology he may persuade the Christian or Jewish wife to adopt Islam due to similarities in the religions and the prophets. Also, Islam unlike Judaism and Christianity clarifies and exposes the proper and greater contexts of Christian and Jewish prophets by names and missions which may become a persuading factor for the Jewish and Christian wives. However, Quran rejects polytheism and nothing in polytheism is revealed or prophetic so there is no fundamental common ground. Due to this fundamental difference a Muslim is prohibited to marry polytheist women.
Quran 2:223
Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. And fear Allah and know that you will meet Him. And give good tidings to the believers. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:223
The wife is like a farmland and the husband is like the farmer. A perfect parable from God in relation to the husband and wife. A good and caring farmer will always care for his farmland. In this verse God allows the believers to have any form of sexual intercourse except this verse has been qualified by Sunnah where it prohibits anal sex. This verse contains the many sex positions and that is a meaning of “so come to your place of cultivation however you wish”. In sexual act God commands us to bring forth righteousness and this means to be civil and well -behaved during sex and not brute and aggressive as is the fantasy of western porn culture. The Sunnah explains the protocols of having sex. There is no marital rape in Islam. Sexual right is enforced unless for a justified reason. The husband can enforce his right of sexual intercourse and wife as well through Islamic court.
Quran 2:187
It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives. They are clothing for you, and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:187
God has allowed sexual intercourse in the nights of Ramadan. Here God makes it clear that no secret should be kept between husband and wife as they are cloth to each other. God makes it clear that the relationship of husband and wife is the most intimate and close in the world, and it is only the relationship of husband and wife that God promises in paradise to continue.
A sexual practice that was previously forbidden during the night of Ramadan.
Quran 33:59
O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 33:59
God is commanding the believing women that is Muslim women to cover their whole body by an outer garment. This is much like the outer garments many pious Iranian women wear today in Qom. This command has been given to distinguish Muslim women from pagan women whom were flirted with for sexual favors by evil people in Medina. This context was most probably before revelation of punishment of adultery either by stoning or by lashing or else there would not be any girls or women from slaves or pagan, displaying themselves at night. Secondly, one may say non-Muslim women can wear whatever they like under Islamic rule, as this verse only commands Muslim women to cover themselves? That is not the case. Prophet came and took charge of a weak Medina, infested with foreign spies of Mecca, hostile Jews and hypocrites. The power and resources of Muslims were also weak for some time, so full Islamisation of Medina was a gradual process and not an instant achievement. This is also due to the fact that Quran was being revealed gradually unlike today where we have full Quran. Today however we have Muslim countries and Islam is complete, so the excuse of nudity and pornification in Islamic rule cannot be justified. Moral policing is established by many other verses of Quran and that has been discussed. Hijab thus needs to be enforced in Islamic rule. During time of prophet Muslims were Quranic Muslims unlike today's misguided liberal and secularists who fight against Hijab and Islamic rule, so prophet didn't force Muslims to wear Hijab because those Muslims were champions in following Islam, so they needn't force or threat of law. Note that force is not needed to make someone turn to God as a forced heart cannot be devoted to God, however force is needed to maintain public welfare, security and interest of the Islamic rule. In this sense one who doesn't fast or pray cannot be punished because force cannot return their faith or devotion to God. These ritual -abandoning sinners need to be preached to and reasoned with. The only exception to this forced worship is children (safeeh) who needs to be trained and habituated to do worship unlike adults.
Quran 24:31
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:31
God commands the believing women that is Muslim women to guard their sight and sexual organ, that is to say God prohibits looks of lust and evil towards strangers and preserve your chastity.
The adornment of a woman is her body and beauty. The Hadith states that the woman is adornment. However, God has made it easy for them to expose what is evident such as face and palm of the hand and feet as we understand from the Sunnah.
This verse legislates the Hijab. Know that Hijab is not only a piece of cloth but a system of conscience, mindset and lifestyle. The Sunnah clearly explains what is to be covered and how is to be covered. The general picture is that woman needs to cover their whole body and hair with loose fitting cloth so that it does not reveal the shape of the body. The breasts, buttocks and the thighs are the most tempting parts of the outward body while the vagina is something that is inside of the body. So, God here addresses the issue of outwardly adornment which implies the covering of inwardly adornment as well. The evident or apparent adornment is the state of the body without covering by a hijab, but not the actual naked body. So generally, whatever is worn customarily inside the house in a certain Muslim culture need to be covered in front of people other than those mentioned in the verse.
The wisdom of Hijab is to prevent physical desire towards women. The biological attraction between man and woman is a fact and God given and so God commands us to preserve this attraction by His laws so that society and families are safeguarded from sexual hedonism and sexual crimes. Hijab along with restricted movement of woman’s physique minimizes immorality and sexual crimes. The reason for Hijab on women is due to the sexual psychology of men. According to sociological researches male sexuality is direct, aggressive and continuous while female sexuality is buried under layers of emotions. Men are more respondent to physical appearance of women while women are respondent to specific forms of physical touch by men. Hijab thus have two aspects: One is faith-based aspect and other is preventive aspect, so you see Islamic Iran has obligated Hijab for all women even non-Muslims as well as even many western countries implement a dress code to maintain a psychological aspect in their work cultures.
What this verse prohibits is all forms of sexualized dances and movements. Today women are sexually objectified by the way their bodies are portrayed in media and entertainment. Islam is against this humiliation of women. By this sexualization of women a society is pornified and Islamic jurisdiction must enforce laws against such trends and acts. Woman is the greatest trial (Fitna) for men and when men breaks society will collapse, especially Islamic society and Islamic human capital and as a consequence Islamic rule. Woman is the seed which grows sexual hedonism and satanism.
Quran 24:60
And women of post-menstrual age who have no desire for marriage - there is no blame upon them for putting aside their outer garments [but] not displaying adornment. But to modestly refrain [from that] is better for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:60
A woman who doesn't desire sexual gratification through marriage doesn't need to cover her outward beauty and can only wear customary dress even in public. A woman who doesn't desire marriage and sex is generally biologically unable to desire sex due to mostly old age so also men are not tempted by her and she is not tempted by men. Rare medical conditions which prevent a young girl from having any libido but by whom men can be tempted is not included in this verse. Many verses of Quran are addressing by statistical significance or the common nature or customary practice so they must be understood in these aspects.
Quran 33:32
O wives of the Prophet, you are not like anyone among women. If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech. (FBL/NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 33:32
God here prohibits any form of attractive speeches from wives of Prophet, that is God obligates on them a higher level of piety. Flirting by speech can be tempting and lead to immorality. Muslim women also following the example of Prophet’s wives are also not like flirting women.
Quran 2:222
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:222
Islamic ritualistic purifications are just a symbolic and practical ways of distancing yourself from human filth. Human mind consists of both spiritual and biological filth and the purification is just a reminder that inherent humanity is above this, which will be realized in paradise. Hence menstruation is impurity and sexual intercourse during it is forbidden. A woman is in a state of impurity while in menstruation so she cannot pray or fast. The detailed legal rulings regarding menstruation are in classical and modern Islamic law books of both Shia and Sunni.
Quran 65:4
And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 65:4
Those who are being divorced, and they have no menstruation or is pregnant then waiting period of these women before they can marry again is either three months or until delivery whichever applicable.
Quran 66:5
Perhaps his Lord, if he divorced you [all], would substitute for him wives better than you - submitting [to Allah ], believing, devoutly obedient, repentant, worshipping, and traveling - [ones] previously married and virgins. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 66:5
The qualities of a good wife is that she is faithful and practicing Muslim, devoted to God and repentant. Such a wife understands best the honor and importance of husband and loyalty to him.
Quran 2:226
For those who swear not to have sexual relations with their wives is a waiting time of four months, but if they return [to normal relations] - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 2:226
If a man swears not to have sexual intercourse with his wife, then Quran gives the woman right to seek divorce after four months waiting period but if sexual activity takes place before four months then the relationship continues. Here Quran establishes the right of woman to have sexual intercourse because Quran here is against husband and for wife. The waiting period for a woman is to prepare her emotional and biologically due to the possibility of her pregnancy due to the latest sexual intercourse with the husband.
Quran 24:30
Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. (FBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:30
God here commands the Muslim men to not lust at unlawful women by their sights and to preserve their chastity. The proper Hijab of women combined with prohibition of men’s lustful looks is a strong preventive model against sexual crimes and sexual immorality.
Quran 5:5
…And [lawful in marriage are] chaste women from among the believers and chaste women from among those who were given the Scripture before you, when you have given them their due compensation, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse or taking [secret] lovers. And whoever denies the faith - his work has become worthless, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers. (FBL/NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 5:5
God allows believing men to marry chaste women from believers and Christians and Jews who practice their religion. By this adulterer is prohibited to be married whether Muslim adulterer or Christian and Jew. The Islamic court must ensure that the marriage that is taking place between Muslim man and a chaste Muslim woman or chaste Christian or Jew is genuine and that no hidden agenda is served by this marriage such as exploiting women for prostitution or using them for immigration or using them for private sexual pleasure etc. So, the marriage must be known by Islamic court under proper Islamic protocols of marriage. A marriage can take place in private by few witnesses but that will be acceptable to God but to pragmatize the marriage for future legal issues it must be documented by Islamic court, by authority.
Quran 4:4
And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:4
This verse establishes the rule of dowry from husband to wife. The female has triple financial incentives: from inheritance, from dowry and from husband's finance under his care. Islam has made females' lives comfortably and lessened their burden by reducing religious, financial and political works. Still feminists cry and complain against Islam because feminism is all about matriarch power and domination. It's a satanic dystopian social construct challenging harmonious disciplined equity based social construct from God. This verse also allows female to withdraw their claim from dowry and this is an opportunity and opening for joint collaboration of mutual support and care where wife gives a boost to the husband financially so the husband can in turn take care of the family by utilizing this dowry wealth.
Quran 4:22
And do not marry those [women] whom your fathers married, except what has already occurred. Indeed, it was an immorality and hateful [to Allah ] and was evil as a way. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:22
A pagan practice was to marry widow of one's father. God prohibited this immoral unethical practice. Islam establishes a moral and ethical order in relationship to preserve our moral and ethical conscience and lineage.
Quran 4:23
Prohibited to you [for marriage] are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, your father's sisters, your mother's sisters, your brother's daughters, your sister's daughters, your [milk] mothers who nursed you, your sisters through nursing, your wives' mothers, and your step-daughters under your guardianship [born] of your wives unto whom you have gone in. But if you have not gone in unto them, there is no sin upon you. And [also prohibited are] the wives of your sons who are from your [own] loins, and that you take [in marriage] two sisters simultaneously, except for what has already occurred. Indeed, Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:23
Islam establishes a moral and ethical order in sexual relationship to preserve our moral and ethical conscience and lineage. This divine model also has a far-reaching effect on demographic and behavioral evolution which need sophisticated social, biological and psychological studies to even get a hint of the deep wisdom in it. The administration of this law of marriage and sexuality can only be done by Islamic government. Islamic rules and regulations demand an effective efficient model of oversight and implementation so that Muslims can follow them best. The only way this is possible is by a theocracy, as prophet and the rashida caliph showed us.
Critics always mention is Islamic marriage can be incest because Islam allows marriage of close relatives. However, this practice is scientific and rational. This practice psychologists and evolutionary scientists call kin selection. It is that favor the reproductive success of one’s relatives, sometimes even at a cost to the individual’s own survival. It can help explain a range of social interactions and not just altruistic cooperation. The simplest cases are that when interacting individuals are more closely related, they should be more likely to cooperate, show more restraint, and show less aggression. Kin selection theory predicts when individuals should behave altruistically and also when they should curtail their selfishness.
Quran 4:24
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. (NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 4:24
The verse implies honesty, sincerity and good intention towards seeking women for marriage and the desire to fulfill religion through marriage and complete the marriage life on equity and mutual love. This verse also prohibits any approach towards marriage or desire towards married women. A trend exists in many societies where married women and men who are not their husbands get to know each other for marriage. This is because such married women are either separated or have decided mutually with their husbands to get divorce. This is forbidden. Also note that Islam here created an opportunity for slave women to be married and achieve their freedom. Islam has facilitated many mechanisms of emancipation of slaves because Islam came to abolish slavery through reformation. Instead of banning outright slavery which was a deep rooted business and social model, Islam first proposed restructuring slave-master relationship based on equity, justice and sympathy which is the pathway to abolishment of this unjust institution.
Quran 24:33
But let them who find not [the means for] marriage abstain [from sexual relations] until Allah enriches them from His bounty…(NFBL)
Commentary of Quran 24:33
Even if the treasury of Islamic state is enriched then this is also enriching by God and thus the Islamic government will implement marriage framework for unmarried low-income people. This is to preserve morality, continue and enhance demography and create social cohesion.
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