THE RIGHTS OF HUSBAND AND WIFE

6. The Rights of Husband and Wife ~ 122 ~ which is both natural and inevitable. Each derives strength from the other, and each acts as a shield for the other. They are described by a commentator of the Qur’an as “fitting into each other as a garment fits the body.”102 Men and women were created to find sexual attraction in one another. The Qur’an makes this point in these words: 101. Qur’an, 2:187. 102. ‘Abdullah Yusuf ‘Ali’s commentary of 2:187. And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.103 It is in the context of this natural relationship that men and women are attracted to each other. This attraction finds expression in the free mixing of men and women. But this goes against the human grain. A man would normally want whatever belonged to him to be reserved for him alone. Free sexual relations are therefore at variance with human nature.