Among the objectives of an Islamic marriage the following are the most important.

1. Piety (taqwa)
2. Legitimate procreation
3. Sexual gratification
4. Emotional and psychological gratification
5. Social solidarity
6. Economic responsibility

The existence of the human race depends on the propagation of the species. Thus Allah has legislated marriage in order that the propagation of the human species can be exercised in a manner that Allah approves of and which will lead to the healthy and harmonious development of human society. Through marriage children are reared within the warmth and care of a family.

In the Quran as well as in the sayings of the prophet, Muslims are encouraged to procreate. (Quran 16:72, 18:46)

"Marry and procreate, because I will boast about you to the other communities on the day of judgement".

The benefits of procreation not only accrue in this world but extends into the hereafter.

"When a person dies all his deeds come to an end except for three things – a charity of endowment, beneficial knowledge that is left behind and a pious child who prays for him.

The rights of children precede that of the rights of parents for obvious reasons. Muslim jurists have categorized the rights of children in diverse manners. We have developed the following simplified categorization.

• It is Allah who grants life to a child as well as it’s parents
• Whatever human life Allah has granted has been sanctified and may not be taken wantonly by anyone including parents
• In this regard Islam has prohibited:

1. Abortions
2. Infanticide for whatever reasons including fear of poverty. (Quran 17:31)

• Every child has the right to be born legitimately within wedlock.
• Islamic law has imposed restrictions on the rights of an illegitimate child. These are intended to punish the parents by constraining their relationship with the child and also serve a social censure.
• Every child has an inalienable right to a know lineage i.e. the identity of it’s biological mother and father.
• The identity of a child should not be masked or confused. Consequently, legal adoption is not permitted in Islam. Fostering, when the real identity of the child is known is permissible.

• The birth of the child, whether it be boy or girl, should be greeted with great joy and happiness by the parents. (Qur’an 16:58)
• The occasion of the child’s birth should be celebrated by the sacrifice of a ram ( `aqiqah) which should be distributed among the poor as a display of thankfulness and gratitude to Allah for the gift of the child.
• According to the prophet’s instructions, by the seventh day the child should be given a good, pleasant name and it’s head should be shaven.

• Contemporary Pediatricians and child Psychologists are in agreement that breastfeeding has many benefits for the child’s physical and emotional development.
• The Qur’an recommends that the suckling period should last for two full years. (Qur’an 31:14)

• The child has a right on its father to a reasonable maintenance, which should provide it with food, shelter, clothing and maintenance.

1. Apostasy.
2. If the heirs was directly responsible for the death of the testator.

See : Islam the Natural Way - ABDULWAHID HAMID pages 73 – 79

1. THE RIGHT TO JUST AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT

78;69;80;81)

5 . MODESTY: She shall guard her private body from foreign touch, sight etc. (2:33) and only venture into the public with husbands approval at accepted times.

(waqtu’s Jumuah)

The best woman gladdens him when he looks obeys him when he bids and does not oppose him regarding herself and her riches 2:38 also to Omar " the best gift /treasure a man could long for - a virtuous wife who pleases him whenever he turns his looks towards her, who obeys him when he orders or instructs her to guard herself and his property when he is absent from her. ( Abu Dawud).

6.COMMENABLE ACTS ; She should engage herself in good works in the absence of her husband and attend to him in enjoyment in his company. Not vice-versa.

7. SHE should administer and oversee the household affairs to her utmost capacity. At best, be at home for the rearing of the children and seeing to their needs

(Tarbiyyah)

1. IDDAH ; To explicitly express sorrow for not more than four months and ten days on the death of her husband. Hadieth It is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the next world to grieve more than three days, except in the case on the death of her husband , for whom she should grieve for 4mths/10 days and confine herself to her husbands house for this period .

* NOTE ; A woman comes into marriage with her own wealth, possessions and inheritance. It is only advisable that she invest the same for herself or for the children for there future. She works, studies, invests or go into trade on her own accord, with the

expressed permission of her husband.

If the couple work as a unit on joint salary/income it is only right that an agreement be entered into, in the event of dissolution of that marriage. If husband and wife have ploughed their resources in a house for example, over a period of years, the wife ‘s

Contribution should be gauged in order to determine her legitimate share of that or any other immovable assets.

The Quran devotes a whole chapter entitled "NISAA’ (WOMEN) depicting mutual rights and obligations of Husband and Wife.

1. Kind treatment- "treat them kindly, should you hate them it maybe that you dislike a thing, while Allah has placed abundant good in it ( Q 4;10) The best of you is he who is best to his family. ( gadeeth 2 : 35/67).

NB. The Tarbbiyah (upbringing) of the children shall be the joint responsibility of both partners, and the advice, rules and admonition should complement the efforts of the other. Partners should consult , counsel and take children in their confidence. Exercise equity and not play up one child against the other. The best tarbiyyah surely is to lead by example. "The family that plays together, prays stays together

2. MAINTENANCE :

• Anything coming to the family should first start with the wife.
• Several wives - division of companionship to be shared equally.
• Lodgings and clothing In accordance to means must be supplied (2 ; 63)

1. He shall not hate. Bad character traits sometimes overshadowed by good traits, manners and ways.
2. Moderacy, discipline and strictness in order to make her conjure to his wishes, because she has been created as the weaker ( and fairer) gender. She should not be given to much free rein or autonomy, only due to the inadequacy of her physical/biological being.
3. Admonition, to be resorted to in cases of extreme disobedience (2 : 50 ) Holy Quran prescribes some preliminaries to mild beating ie admonition and separation in beds.
4. Quality time: Spending private time together eg leisure and pleasure.
5. In event of death: wife gets a share in husbands property and husband in wife’s property.
6. Education: Share, with the wife , the knowledge an discussion about compulsory five aspects of Islam, menstruation , Aurah, Hurmah, etc.
7. The wife as the closest; dearest partner in life eg Rasullallah’s wives eg Ummahaatul Mu’mineen. Ayesha knew a third of the dien.