Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Hajj (Pilgrimage to makkah)

Isl6m  relates  profoturdly to the  monotheistic  mission of Prophet
Ibrdheem  (Abraham).  Ifs  fifttr  pillar  (hajrt  is  a  formal
coilrmemoration  of  the Prophet  lbrdheem's  obedience  to  AIHh.
Ibrdheem  was ordained  by  Allah  to  build  the  Ka'bah  (the first
house on  earth for  the  worship  of  Allah)  with  the  assistance  of
his first  son,  Prophet  Ism6'eel (Ishmael),  at the sits of  Makkatl

Muhammad.  r,r'ho  is  the moder  example  of  Muslims-  never hit
any  of his wives and he  said: "Iftey 
are not the  best  of 
.vou 
who
hit  their  u,iyss".(Narrated 
b1,  Abu-Dauud)  ln  the  event that
disputes cannot  be  resolved  equitably  between husband and
wife,  the 
Qur'En 
prescribes 
mediation  between  the  parties
thry]sh  family  intervention 
on  behalf  of  both  spouses 
1'see  e
4:35).  In that  way,  the 
Qur'an outlines  an  enlightened  approach
for  the  husband  and wife  to  resolve  persisteni  conllict  in  their
marital  life.
Divorce  is  a last resort.  permissible 
but  not encouraged. 
yet
the 
Qur'an 
gives  preference  to the  prerervation 
of faith  and the
male  and  female  indir'idual's  right  to  felicity.  Forms  of
marriage  dissolution  include;  (a)  an  enactment based upon
mutual  agreement,  (b)  the  husband's  initiative,  (c)  the  w#e's
initiative  (if  included  in  her  rnarital  contract).  (o)  ttre courl's
decision on  a wife's  initiative  for  a legitimate  reason  (e.g. the
husband's  failure  to support  his wife, impotence  or abusel  and
(e)  the  wife's initiative  (khur', or divestiture)  in  cases  in  which
there is  "no  fault"  on the  part  of  the husband  but  she  distikes
him.  This requires  that she  returns  her  marriage  gift ora  similar
compensation.  when  the  continuation  of  the  marriage
relationship is  impossible  for  any  reason,  men are  srill taughtlo
seek  a gracious  end  to  it.  The 
eur'En  states: 
,,And 
*hei  you
divorce women  and the.v  hwe 
fneartyJ  fuffilled 
their  term 
[i.e.,
waiting  periodJ,  either  retain  them  according  to  acceptabre
terms  or  release  them  according  to  acceptable  terms,  and  do
not  keep  them,  intending  harm,  to  transgre.r's 
fagainst 
themJ.,,
(Q  2:231,  see  also  2:ZZ9  and  33:.lgi
Priority  for  the  custody  of  younj  chitdren  (up  to  the  age  of
about seven)  is  gi'en  to  the mother. A judge 
iuLt  muy extend
the  mother's  custodl'or  give  the  child  the  choice  to  choose  the
rnother  or father  as  his  or  her  custodian.  Custody  questions  are
to be  settled  in  a manner  that  balances  the  interests  of both
parents  and  the  well-being  of  children.
Associating  polygvny  rvith  Islf,m  (as  if  it was  introduced  by  it
or is the  nonn  according  to its  teachings)  is one  of the  most
persistent  nqths perpetuated  in  Westem  literature  and  media.
Polygy*ny  has  existed  in  almost  all  nations  and was even
sanctioned  by  Judaism  and  Christianitl-until  recent  cerrturies.I
Islfrnr  did  not  outlarv  poly'glny,  rather. it  regulated  and
restricted  it.  It  is neither  required  nor  encouraged"  but  simply
pennitted  rvith  conditions.  The 
Qur'fln is  the  onl-v  revealed
scripture  that  e.\plicitll'  lirnited  polyryny  and  discouraged  its
practice  by irnposing  stringent  conditions.  One  reason  for not
categoric'all-v  forbidding  polygyny  is that  in  ditferenr  places  ar
different  times.  there  may  exist  individual  or social  exigencies
which make  pol,vryny  a better  option  than  either  divorce  or a
Itlpocritical  rnonoganrv  while  indulging  in  illicit  relations.  The
spirit  of Isl5mic  s;hari'sh  alrn  includes  dealing  with individual
and  collectil'e  contingencies  that  rnay'  arise  from  time  to  time
(e.9..  irnbalances  betr,r'een  the  number  of males  and  females
crcated  by  rvars).  This  providcs  a  rnoral.  practical  and  humane
solution  to the  problerns  of rvidou,s  and  orphans.  rvho  rvould
othcnvisc  bc  lulncrablc  in  thc  abscncc  of  a  husband  and  fathcr

frgure.  In  terms  of  economics. 
companionship.  proper  child
rearing  and  other  needs,  poll,gpny  provides 
a  solution.
II.is  criticallJ'irnportant 
to  poini  that  all  parties  involved  have
options.  Men  may  choose to  remain  monogamous.  A
considered  second  wife  rnav  reject  the  marriag*  priporal if  she
does  not  *'ish  to. 
^be 
parn' 1o  a  porl:grnous 
marriage.  A
prospective 
first  wife  may include  in  hJ;  rnarital  contract  a
condition  that her husband  shall  practice  monogamy.  If  this
condition  is  accepted.  it  becomes  bindirrg  on  It  *  husband.
should  he  later  violate  this condition.  his first rvife  u,iil be
entitled  to  seek  divorce  witlr  all the  financial  rights  connected
with  it.  If  such  a condition  *'as  not included  ln  the  marital
contracl.  and  the  husband  marries  a  second  u,ife.  the  first rvife
may  still seek  khul,  (direstiture).

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