Marriage: The dying institution, what does the Future hold for us.

By: Abubakar Sematimba
Marriage is a natural observable fact and a responsibility, Allah created mankind and put for him guide lines or constitution to follow and this is the Holy Quran and the Hadith of our beloved Nabbi Muhammad peace be upon him.

He Allah also sent messengers to teach and guide man kind to a righteous path, Allah says in the Holy Quran 17:15, ''. And never would we punish until we sent a messenger''.

Marriage is another form of worshiping, ''Ibaada'', and it can be compulsory, 'waajibu', to those who are 'capable' and ' Haraam' forbidden to those who are not .

When can marriage be Haraam and waajibu that will be another area of discussion Inshallah, God willing?

According to the Hadith, traditions of the prophet Muhammad peace be unto him, he said.

'The worst people in my Ummah, 'party of Islam' are the bachelors and spinsters, those who can afford and manage to marry, but they take this practice 'Ibaada' for granted.

Today marriage has become meaningless.
We marry for so many reasons, but the economic factor has over shadowed other important factors in our Islamic society today.

People are under looking other important elements, like Religion and family, girls and boys today, prefer getting married to HIV positive persons or idolaters 'Mushrikuun' just because they have money, under mining other factors like religion.

The messenger of Allah Muhammad (SAW) advised his Ummah to marry or get married to a religious family.

To those who are skeptical to marry due to fear of poverty, Allah has given them an assurance that He will enlarge their provision if they have been poor.

Qur'an (24:32): 'Marry off the single among you and those of your male and female slaves who are fit [for marriage]. If they are poor, God will provide for them from His bounty: God's bounty is infinite and He is all knowing

Marriage is a covenant
Marriage is a great covenant as Allah states in the holy Quran; Chapter 4:21 'How could you take it back, when you have known each other, and they have taken from you a solemn covenant?'

Much as we have to do this 'Ibaada' of marriage, we have to be careful to preserve and have self control, not to reveal each and every secret in the house.

The greatest debt on the day of resurrection according to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him will be on a married persons husband or wife who reveals the house secrets in public.

Why do we marry in Islam?
1. To have children who will make supplication 'Duwa' for you after your death.

The messenger of Allah said, quoting from one of his teachings that 'If mankind pass on, he leaves behind among other deeds, a pious child who makes supplication 'Duwa' for him/her.

2. Reviving the Deen and Sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhamad peace be upon him. The prophet (SAW) said ''marriage is my way, (Sunnati) and whoever goes against it is not among us''.

3. Pride and Increasing the Number of the followers of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

The messenger of Allah said, ''Marry those who are young and can produce children, I will be proud of your huge number on the day of resurrection''.

There can be other factors why some one marry or get married in Islam.

Like enjoyment, reliance, and so many others which can justify some one to get a spouse.

Allah says in Quran 'And among His Signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect) (The Romans 30:21).

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