In this book the author highlights the problems he sees both in Islamic societies and in west societies today that arise from the phenomenon of unmarried young men and women, through to birth control and contraception. He surveys the idea of marriage in various religions and schools of thought, and discusses polygamy from the Islamic perspective. As well as being a call to the Muslim world to revert to the true teachings of Islam, this book can also be of use as an introduction to others who seek some answers to the social problems of today. This is because Islam provides detailed teachings that promise success in every area of human life on individual and societal levels, and furthermore the practicality and success of those teachings have been proven in the course of history.

Table of Contents

Translator’s Foreword ...................................................... 6

Publisher’s Foreword........................................................ 8

Author’s Introduction ....................................................... 9

Part One: The Law of Matrimony........................................ 11

The Law of Matrimony in Creation ...................................... 11

In the Vegetable World ................................................... 12

In the Animal World...................................................... 12

The Law of Pairs in Human Civilisations ................................ 12

1. The Civilisation of the Mesopotamia ............................... 12

2. Ancient Egyptian Civilisation....................................... 13

3. European Civilisations .............................................. 13

4. The Civilisation of the American Continent........................ 13

5. The Civilisation of Ancient Japan .................................. 14

6. Among Pre-Islamic Arabs........................................... 14

Marital Relationships in the Major Religions ............................ 15

1. The Jewish Religion................................................. 15

2. The Christian Religion .............................................. 15

3. In the Religion of Zoroaster......................................... 15

4. Buddhism............................................................ 16

5. Confucianism........................................................ 16

Conclusion ................................................................ 16

Marriage in Materialistic Societies....................................... 16

Part Two: The Call of Nature ............................................. 18

Marriage as a Necessity .................................................. 18

Early Marriage ............................................................ 18

Simplicity of Dowry ...................................................... 19

The Parents’ House ....................................................... 20

Simplicity of Requirements .............................................. 20

Part Three: The Married Couple: Conditions, Rights, and Customs . 22

Religion and Morals ...................................................... 22

Means of Subsistence..................................................... 22

Equality ................................................................... 23

Abolition of Conditions................................................... 23

The Couple's Happiness .................................................. 24

Idolatry of Traditions ..................................................... 24

The Rights of the Married Couple........................................ 25

Part Four: Islam's Word on the New Born Child ....................... 26

The Fruit of Marriage..................................................... 26

The Importance of Health ................................................ 26

Suckling................................................................... 27

Upbringing and Protection................................................ 27

The Bond of Kinship ..................................................... 28

Virtues and Non-violence ................................................ 29

Part Five: Problems and Safeguards Towards Maintaining Harmony 30

The Happy Household .................................................... 30

Work Within the Household.............................................. 31

Part Six: Challenges Facing the Family and Society .................... 32

Divorce Yesterday and Today............................................ 32

Conciliation is Best ....................................................... 32

Polygamy - A Spurious Crisis ............................................ 33

The Crisis of Celibacy .................................................... 35

Herein Lies the Catastrophe .............................................. 38

Part Seven: The Role of Institutions...................................... 39

Marriage Agency ......................................................... 39

In Democratic States...................................................... 40

Facilitation and Substitution.............................................. 41

The Public Treasury ...................................................... 42

Conclusion ................................................................ 43

Part Eight: Marriage and Sex Etiquette ................................. 45

Etiquette of The Wedding Night ......................................... 45

(A) Dates and times when lovemaking is Makruh (undesirable) ........ 46

(B) Dates and times when lovemaking is Mustahab (desirable)......... 47

Other hadith on when/where lovemaking is Makruh ................... 49

Sexual Satisfaction........................................................ 49

Reference ................................................................. 50

Notes......................................................................... 51

Translator’s Foreword .................................................... 51

Notes on the Book ........................................................ 51