Hi thanks for your reply,
In marriage it is two people being binded to each other not an ownership of one to the other.
This is 100% true, and this is infact what the Quran teaches us.
They are a garment for you and you are a garment to them.
Qur'an [2 :187]
The Quran requires that a husband and wife should be as garments for each other. Just as garments are for protection, comfort, show and concealment for human beings, Allah expects husbands and wives to be for one another.
The reason people get married is for Love and companionship not for religious concerns
There are many considerations that are taken to account when choosing a parnter. Including, personality, character, family, wealth and beauty etc.
Course, everyone is different and has their own choices! Islam recommends that a person marries someone who is Islamic. If someone marries a woman who is a Muslim, but not fully aware of her duties in Islam, the marriage is still accpeted , nor is he sinful for doing so. However, Islam gives a recommendation to marry someone who takes Islam seriously because it is a guide for a Muslims life. Let me explain this point better
Islam is based on the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet
. It is a complete way of life. If there are any disputes, than those should be resolved according to the 2 sources of Islam, the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet
Imagine in a marriage setting, if there are arguments, the couple can take their arguments and resolve it through patience and considering what Islam makes of the problem. This can substantially makes marital disputes a lot easier to solve.
Islam tells both the man and the woman their rights to one another. This can be from the Dowry a woman recieves, the marriage contract which is written, the responsibilities the man has to his wife and vice versa.
In Islam, both men and women are equal. Even in the 20th Century women did not have complete rights in England. For example, as the ex-Catholic Muslim Revert sister Jan explained in one of the videos, in the 1960s women could not cash a cheque at some banks without the signature of her husbad.. .Like wise women didnt have rights to own/sell land, do business etc.
Islam gave all these rights to women 1400 years ago. Islam is a complete way of life which covers everything from how we treat our neighbours through to our relations with people of other communities and faiths.
It was by the divine revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad
. Women are allowed to work, are allowed to keep the money they make. A husband has no right to demand his wife to give him the money she worked hard to earn. At same time, its completely upto them to make the decisions as to what they do. Islam has also given women the right to divorce a man. These are very important rights and there are countless other rights and responsibilities that both men and women have to each other which have not been mentioned here. - However, i hope this can give a brief insight into Islam and family life..
Islam can not be forced upon anyone. That includes Children. Infact, no action is accepted or "legally correct" in Islamic law if it has been done under coercion. That includes issues like marriage, business deals, contracts or issues such as beliefs in religion.
A Muslim's duty is to teach their children about Islam and the beauty of the religion. The choice is their own as it is with anyone else no matter who. To answer your other question about being born Muslim, I was born and raised as a Muslim by my lovely and kind parents, however i have never been forced upon it. I see it as a blessing to have a family who is kind, patient and upon Islam. Nor did their being Muslim mean that i have had little interaction or knowledge of other religions.
If your parents weren't muslim would you have picked it?
Definately! If i had the correct sources of information and was told about Islam properly, i would have picked it. It makes perfect sense both logically and spiritually.... And im so glad to be a Muslim, alhamdulilah. It opens ones eyes to a lot of things and makes a person more aware of the world and the responsibilities we have to the earth and all that is in it. However, it is true that many of these traits are shared by mankind.. such as love and kindness for people. Islam teaching us about humanity and humility. By knowing Allah, the prophet Muhammad and his blessed companions we have divine guidance and the best examples.
Most importantly, Islam tells us why we were created and the purpose and meaning of life. So it gives a contentment in that, also it helps by giving a direction and there is always hope no matter what situation we are in, whether we are struck by poverty or other calamity.
