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MARRIAGE |
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Marriage
is by far the most crucial point in a woman's life.
But in very few societies do maidens have or had any
say in the matter. The ancient Hebrews (Jews) routinely
took money for their daughters from the husbands-to-be.
In the Hindu marriage ritual (Kanyadan), the father
gifts away the daughter. He thereby earns the equivalent
"punya" as would be obtained by gifting
101 cows to a Brahmin.
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But Islam does not degrade its daughters to the level
of a commodity, to be sold; or regard them as cattel
to be gifted away. The whole concept of marriage is
different in Islam. It is a contract drawn up by the
magistrate himself and duly witnessed. There can be
no compulsion.
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These people have to hear for themselves the bride
give her consent. They are also responsible to ensure
that neither party breaches the contract in any way
while it is valid.
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A
wife is not to be regarded as merely a sexual outlet.
Her place in the household is one of honor.
Chapter
5
commands:
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"Lawful
(it will be no sin) to you are free, believing women
... provided you give them their dowries (i.e. marry
them) and live in honor with them, neither fornicating
nor taking them as mistresses"
(From
Holy Qur'an 5/5)
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Chapter
30
brings out the wives equal status and the special
relationship even more clearly -
"And
men (one) of His signs is that He gave
you wives from among yourselves (equal
social status) ... that you may live in
tranquility with them and He put love
and kindness (for them) in your hearts.
Surely, there are indications in this
for the thinking man".
(From
Holy Qur'an 30/21)
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Indeed,
for the "thinking" man, i.e.
intelligent man, the Qur'an leaves no
doubt that marriage can be and will be
based only on love, kindness and honor
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Incidentally,
a dowry is compulsory in Islam;
but it is to be given to the woman,
and not taken; for a man to expect
or accept money is considered
to be not only undignified but
also as unmanly and a slur on
the family honor. As a result,
brides do not get burnt in Muslim
households.
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