Islam has given more importance to Nikah (marriage), greatly valued it, and highly recommended it. Hence, the contract of marriage in Islam has a unique and extraordinary position as compared to other contracts. It is a firm and strong covenant taken from a couple to have lawful intercourse and offspring. Moreover, Nikah has social, economic, and spiritual benefits in building the family. It is the guarantee of a sound and moralized family and society. Its good results can be achieved not only in life but also after death too.
Allah (SWT) reiterated His favor on the Children of Adam that He permitted Nikah for the continuity of generations and mankind. He made them to replace each other generation after generation and century after century just as He said:
“And it is He Who has made you (Khalaif) generations coming after generations, replacing each other on the earth.” (Al-Anam 6:165).
It is the way of Prophets, as Almighty Allah mentioned it in the Holy Quran:
“And We have already sent messengers before you and assigned to them wives and descendants.” (Ar-Rad 13:38)
What is Nikah (Marriage)?
Nikah is a great gift from Allah (SWT). Undoubtedly, there are many wisdoms and benefits in marriage. It saves one from sins, removes evil thoughts, and protects from being astray. In Islam, Nikah is a legal Islamic contract between the couple. Both the groom and the bride are to consent to the marriage of their own free will.
Islam Encourages Marrying:
. Moreover, Islam has strongly recommended engaging in Nikah. Allah (SWT) said:
“And marry those among you who are single (Al-Ayama) and the pious of your servants and maidservants.” (An-Nur 24:32)
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married.” (Al-Bukhari 5065)
The desire of having a good wife or good husband is a good and correct desire, so the procedure of choosing the spouse should be correct.
Nikah Overcomes Poverty:
Those who engage in Nikah Allah (SWT) are promised that He will provide and open ways and means for them. Allah (SWT) said:
“And marry those among you who are single (Al-Ayama) and the pious of your servants and maidservants. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficient, All-Knowing.” (An-Nur 24:32)
Those who engage in Nikah for the purpose of chastity Allah will help them out in their daily obstacles. Chastity is a remarkable characteristic of Islamic society and marriage is a vital and powerful source to maintain a pious and pure society. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“There are three who are all entitled to Allah’s help: the one who fights in the cause of Allah; the Mukatab who wants to pay (the price of his freedom); and the one who gets married seeking chastity.” (Ibn Majah 2518).
This Hadith points out that it is Allah who supports the endeavors of those who sincerely and earnestly wish and try to perform acts of virtue that are so demanding and difficult that no one can accomplish them without Allah’s special support. Moreover, a promise of help from Allah is the grace of Allah. If Allah will not help someone, no one can raise an objection against Him.
Marry The Righteous One:
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The most virtuous of it is a remembering tongue, a grateful heart, and a believing wife that helps him with his faith.” (At-Tirmidhi 3094)
The good deeds are the real deeds worth gaining and gathering, which will benefit a person in the Hereafter; the best helper and assistant with regard to the performance of good deeds can be the wife only who urges good deeds and gives the advice to keep away from bad deeds. Hence, the woman who has faith in her heart, would reflect upon the Hereafter, and she will also assist her husband to adopt the way of righteousness. Therefore, such a virtuous woman is a great favor of Allah. Any Muslim man should value a woman like this.
The real reliable standard and procedures are righteousness and fear of Allah. The righteous wife remains the symbol of honor even in poverty, and in the time of prosperity she does not become arrogant and disrespectful to the husband; the woman from a family of high status is sometimes known to have the bad habit of pride and arrogance. The Hereafter gets better too, because of a righteous wife, and the husband will be better off in all aspects.
In short, Nikah is an Islamic legal contract between a husband and wife through which they gain numerous rights, wisdom, and benefits both in this life and in the Hereafter. Nikah curbs and controls one’s illegal sexual desires, protects from sins, and helps in poverty. It is the only pure source of continuity of generation and offspring. A person should choose a righteous spouse to help him in worldly affairs and make him enter Paradise in the Hereafter.
Islam discourages us from not marrying or abandoning marriage. Nikah is the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet and whoever denies it will be deprived of all sorts of good.
So brothers and sisters my advice to all of you is that irrespective of what your economic conditions are and what society tells you, do Nikah for the sake of Allah, and Allah will surely help you in that!
Also Read: Safar – Myths & Realities – Islamic Month Series
