The Islamic Way of Life

That is why this social responsibility has been linked with acts of worship in Islam. For instance, with reference to prayer, the Quran says: “Surely, prayer keeps (one) away from indecency and evil.” (29:45) B. Family Life A sane society, from the Islamic point of view, is but an extension of a sane family. Even human society at large is nothing other than a single family gradually extended throughout history. That is why Islam has greatly emphasized the significance of family life being disciplined and well organised so that it may play its part in maintaining social stability. A family begins when a male and a female decide as members of society to live together under one roof. However, Islam does not allow such a relation between a man and a woman, unless it is based on a legitimate marital contract which is basically meant to be a guarantee of a lifelong partnership of rights and duties, and not merely a temporary entertainment. Hence, there is no room in Islam for what is known, as pre-marital or extra-marital affairs between the two sexes. And this is one of the reasons that we do not find in Islamic society broken homes, illegitimate children, neglected or abandoned parents, etc.—phenomena that are prevalent in secular societies. Through the institution of marriage, Islam aims at building a society free from anarchy, instability, indecency, violence and crime, especially in relation to youngsters. Marriage, when conducted and maintained on the lines laid down in the Quran and Sunnah, provides an organised unit in the form of a ‘home.’ In that way, the succeeding generations are brought up and nurtured physically, morally and mentally in a healthy atmosphere and under the supervision of loving and