[A VERY PRESSING REMINDER, MUST
READ & SHARE]
Forced marriage is not an issue of
religion, but it is a cultural practice
that violates the right of a woman
and as a Muslim. The act of forcing
someone to marry is in fact an act
that is against the practices and
teachings of Islam.
Some think that consent of the bride
and/or groom is not needed in
marriage or as long as the parents of
the female agree to the proposal then
it is allowed. This is a wrong concept.
Marriage in Islam is suppose to be a
beautiful and blessed time for both
men and women.
Forced marriages are clearly not
acceptable according to The Quran:
O you who believe, it is not lawful for
you to inherit the women by forcibly/
unwillingly... [4:19]
Marriage is done by mutual
agreement:
And if you divorce the women, and
they have reached their required
interim period, then do not prevent/
hinder them that they marry their
partners if they mutually agree
between themselves in a kind/
equitable manner... [2:232]
All examples in The Quran involving
decisions between marriage partners
are in the reciprocal Arabic word
form, e.g. "taraadaa" [2:232-233,
4:24], "tashaawar" [2:233], which
means they are mutual.
The relationship between a husband
and wife is discussed in affectionate
terms in The Quran, not of one
enforcing decisions on the other:
And among His signs is this, that He
created for you mates from among
yourselves, that you may dwell in
tranquillity with them, and He has put
love and mercy between your hearts.
Verily in that are signs for those who
reflect. [30:21]
...They are a garment for you and
you are a garment for them....
[2:187]
And they say, "Our Lord, let our
spouses and children be a source of
joy for us, and let us be the foremost
among the righteous." [25:74]
In The Quran, there is a pre-
marriage requirement for a male to
give the female a dower, see the
following examples in which the
female is involved in the decision
making process:
And give the women their due dowries
willingly, and if they remit any of it
to you of their own will, then you may
take it with good feelings. [4:4]
...And unto those with whom you
desire to enjoy marriage, you shall
give the dowers due to them; but you
will incur no sin if, after [having
agreed upon] this lawful due, you
freely agree with one another upon
anything else... [4:24]
Lastly, The Quran reminds us that
believers are those who conduct their
matters by mutual consultation/
counsel [42:38]
The following hadith also clarifies the
position of forced marriages in Islam;
Khansa Bint Khidam said “My father
married me to his nephew, and I did
not like this match, so I complained to
the Messenger of Allah (Peace and
blessings be upon him). He said to me
“accept what your father has
arranged.” I said “I do not wish to
accept what my father has
arranged.”
He said “then this marriage is
invalid, go and marry whomever you
wish.” I said “I have accepted what
my father has arranged, but I
wanted women to know that fathers
have no right in their daughter’s
matters (i.e. they have no right to
force a marriage on them).
(Fathul Bari Sharah Al Bukhari
9/194, Ibn Majah Kitabun Nikah
1/602)
At first, the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) told Al Khansa
to obey her father, and this is as it
should be, because the concerns of
fathers for the well being of their
daughters is well known. But when he
realized that her father wanted to
force her in to marriage she did not
want, he gave her the freedom to
choose, and saved her from the
oppression of a father who wanted to
force her into an unwanted marriage.
The choice that our beloved Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave
to the Al- Khansa is she can either
remain married to the man, or
divorce herself from him.
This has become a very common issue
in today's society. However Islam does
not allow force marriage, this must be
known to every parent!!
Please share!! This can be of help to
many who are possibly facing such
issues today.. JazaakAllahukair..
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