Taped on: July 9th, 1998

Title: Marriage in Islam

Speaker: Imam Yahia Abdul Rahman Ph.D.

Location:

     The Prophetic tradition teaches that the marriage bond is so highly valued in the sight of God (Allah) that it constitutes the completion of half the faith. Hear Dr. Yahia Abdul Rahman elaborate on the significance of this divine institution that has spanned mankind’s entire existence.

• Praising God (Allah), the giver of life and love, and choice.

• Successfully spreading the message of Islam comes through others witnessing the sincere actions of a believer, not introductory books or pamphlets.

• The growth of Islam in America also hinges upon the growth of Muslim families. As Muslims, we must follow the blessed Prophet’s message (peace be upon him) in reaffirming the importance of the institution of marriage. While divorce rates in America surge, we must, god willing, create and maintain noble families that can serve as exemplars for America as a whole to emulate.

• So that we might know love as well as learn to show mercy and compassion, God (Allah) almighty has created for us mates.

• Unlike the colonial conquests of many previous peoples who spread their ideologies through sheer violence, inter-marriage with other tribes and nations was in large part how Islam united people across vast regions.

• The oath of marriage before God (Allah) makes permissible (halal) the benefits and pleasures- spiritual, physical and materialistic- that are derived from a healthy marriage bond. Without the witnessing of this contract before the community and God (Allah), however, these gifts are absent of value and similarly, tainted and impure.

• Women have been greatly empowered as the decision on who to marry rests entirely with them. And the Muslim woman strives to be a paragon of honor and dignity- allowing neither flirtation, nor impermissible associations to occur.

• Readiness for marriage is dependent upon maturity, not age. When you (or your children) are at a mature age, this is not the time for responsibility to be avoided (as has become so common). This is the golden opportunity to embark upon lawful and honorable marriage.