SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE IN ISLAM

A marriage to be successful requires trust and loyalty and this has to be nourished continuously by both husband and wife. Islam is also very strict about preventing free mixing of men and women in an atmosphere of partying and entertainment as it is a cause for promiscuity which leads to permissiveness. In such a society one’s loyalties keep changing. In a segregated society, where interaction between men and women is restricted and strictly work related one associates with one’s spouse which keeps them away from forming new loyalties while in a free society one comes upon new faces every day, one better than the other. In such a scenario loyalties keep shifting. Extramarital affairs, adultery, using women as an object of entertainment by men and women initiating the same evils from their own choice are to be looked at objectively in terms of its negative results and steps for reformation should be taken towards building a better society. In this regard the Islamic approach is to address individuals to change their mind-set, not by holding demonstrations or protests. “Win the mind and you will win the battle”. After all it is a group of upright individuals who make an upright society. o Islam regards marriage as an extremely desirable institution, hence its conception of marriage is the rule in life. Divorce is only an exception to that rule. Islamic Spirituality Islam is a scheme of spiritual development. Its goal is to establish direct communion between God and man in order that man may become the recipient of divine inspiration. In such a religion it is moderation which is of the utmost importance, not extremism or fundamentalism It is peace which is of the utmost importance and not violence.