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Key points about relationships and family

A Muslim family sat around a table sharing a meal
Image caption,
A Muslim family.
  • According to most Muslims, Islam teaches that family should be part of Islamic society, providing security for all its members.

  • Many Muslims see marriage as an essential part of life but divorce and remarriage are allowed in certain circumstances.

  • According to the Qur’an, Allah made male and female to complete each other. Many Muslims believe this to mean that relationships are part of Allah's plan.

  • Muslims believe that all humans have been created by Allah from a single soul but there are differing interpretations on the roles of men and women in Islamic worship.

A Muslim family sat around a table sharing a meal
Image caption,
A Muslim family.
Remember



Remember

There are two main branches of Islam - Sunni and Shi’a.

Find out more about the different branches of Islam.

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The nature and purpose of the Muslim family

Video

Watch the video below to compare Muslim, Jewish and Sikh attitudes and teachings towards educating children within a faith.

A Muslim famiily of 3 generations sit around a breakfast table, hands raised in prayer
Image caption,
Some Muslims live in multigenerational extended families.

For most Muslims, the family is an important institution and can include traditional , step-families or .

Depending on their culture, some Muslims see the extended family as the basis for the , therefore, different generations of families often live together. Other Muslims encourage living in a nuclear family in order for there to be privacy. Regardless of the living situation, most Muslims are encouraged to keep a strong relationship with their extended family.

Teachings from the remind Muslims to: “Be fair and just to your children,” and “Blessed is he who is good to his parents.” Further teachings refer to children honouring their parents:

Be kind to parents … do not say to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.”

Qur'an 17:23

A Muslim famiily of 3 generations sit around a breakfast table, hands raised in prayer
Image caption,
Some Muslims live in multigenerational extended families.
Purposes of the Muslim family. Around the edge: 1: A family made up of a father, mother, daughter and son, ‘To procreate’; 2: A family sat at the dinner table praying, ‘To provide stability and protection of children’; 3: A mother and son sat together reading the Qur’an, ‘To raise children in the Islamic faith’.

In Islam, the purpose of the family can include:

  • To procreate – “For every tree there is a fruit, and the fruit of the heart is the child,” (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad). Many Muslims interpret this as evidence that children are a blessing from God.

  • To provide stability and protection of children – “Honour your children and perfect their manners,” (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad). Many Muslim parents believe that they will be judged on how well they have raised their children.

  • To raise children in the Islamic faith – For many Muslim parents, this duty includes demonstrating how to pray, how to keep food laws and to live a good Muslim life: “Command your children to pray,” (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad). Children may also be sent to a to learn how to read the Qur’an in Arabic.

GCSE exam-style question

Explain two religious beliefs about the nature and purpose of family.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

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For your exam, it is important to know the definitions of key terms.

Take our quiz below to test your knowledge.

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Relationships and families key terms quiz

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Marriage in Islam

Video

Watch the video below to compare Muslim, Christian and Hindu attitudes and teachings towards marriage.

The nature and purpose of marriage

According to most Muslims, Islam teaches that marriage provides a stable and secure environment for the family. For many Muslims, marriage represents a faithful lifelong partnership and a social contract between two families which affects the whole . Many Muslims believe that Allah created marriage for the sharing of love and companionship.

There is nothing like marriage, for two who love one another.”

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad

Many Muslims believe that marriage is the foundation for family life. Young men are encouraged to marry because: “When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion,” (Hadith of Prophet Muhammad).

Many Muslims see marriage and procreation as a duty, and the life-choice to remain unmarried and is viewed as going against the teachings of Muhammad.

The wedding ceremony in Islam

The wedding ceremony consists of a number of different steps: 1. A house, ‘The wedding ceremony is called a Nikah and can take place in the mosque, hall or home’, 2. An Imam, ‘The ceremony is performed by an imam in front of two witnesses’, 3. Jewellery and money, ‘The groom gives his wife mhar – a pre-agreed dowry that may include a gift of money or jewellery, 4. A bride and groom, ‘The bride and groom repeat the word “Qubool” (I accept) three times’, 5. A holy book on a stand, ‘The imam recites verses from the Qur’an and the Nikah Khutba (wedding sermon)’, 6. A hand sign a contract, ‘The couple sign the marriage contract’, 7. People sat a table, ‘The attendants enjoy a Walima (marriage banquet)’.

The legal definition of marriage in the UK now includes same-sex marriage, which means all citizens can legally have a same-sex civil marriage. However an Islamic marriage contract is only valid between a man and a woman.

Polygamy

is illegal in the UK, but it is allowed under certain circumstances under Islamic Law where the laws of the country permit it.

GCSE exam-style question

Explain two beliefs about the nature and purpose of marriage in Islam.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

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Divorce and remarriage

Divorce

In Islam marriage is seen as an unbreakable bond. The teaches: "Marry and do not divorce; the throne of Allah shakes due to divorce".

The Hadith also teaches:

Of all the lawful acts the most detestable to Allah is divorce.”

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad

A Muslim couple and their families are expected to work hard towards reconciliation to save their marriage:

If you anticipate a split between them, appoint a mediator from his family and another from hers. If they desire reconciliation, Allah will restore harmony between them.”

Qur’an 4:35

However divorce is acceptable if all efforts to save a marriage have failed. Divorce can be declared verbally or in writing according to Sharia law however, in the UK, there should also be a legal civil divorce.

Remarriage

According to the Qur'an, if divorce occurs then the man should ensure that the wife is cared for until remarriage: “For divorced women maintenance must be given on a reasonable level. This is a duty on the righteous,” (Qur’an 2:241).

GCSE exam-style question

Explain two Muslim beliefs about divorce.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

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In pictures: Families and marriage in Islam

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 3, A multigenerational family sit around a table sharing a meal, Depending on their culture, some Muslims see the extended family as the basis for the ummah and often, different generations of families live together.
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What does Islam teach on same-sex marriage?

The Qur'an teaches that sex should only take place within marriage and that procreation is part of Allah's plan. Therefore, many Muslims would forbid homosexual relationships, since marriage can only take place between a man and a woman and procreation isn’t possible for a couple.

The Qur’an suggests that people who feel same-sex attraction shouldn’t act upon their feelings:

Why do you [men] lust after fellow men, leaving the wives that your Lord has created for you? In fact, you are a transgressing people.”

Qur’an 26:165-166

Despite this, some Muslims accept that same-sex attraction itself isn’t considered sinful, since feelings cannot be controlled; only acting upon these feelings is forbidden. For such Muslims, is encouraged.

Muhammad condemned homosexuals who acted upon their sexual desires in a way that goes against Islamic teachings.

The Qur’an tells the story of Prophet Lut (Lot) who spoke against people in his community who were doing this:

You commit a shameful deed … You lust after men instead of women!”

Qur’an 7:80-81

Many Muslims believe that those who have sexual relationships which go against Islamic teachings, such as homosexual relationships, will have to answer to Allah on the Day of Judgement.

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Sex before marriage

Many Muslims believe that sex is a gift from Allah. The Qur’an teaches that the best place for a sexual relationship should be within marriage since your spouse should be a source of comfort:

They (women) are garments for you (men) and you are garments for them.”

Qur’an 2:187

Therefore, most Muslims believe in being before marriage and cohabitation is often viewed as wrong.

Teachings in the suggest that a man and woman should not be alone with one another unless they are to each other.

The Qur'an forbids sex before marriage as it is viewed as unlawful sex in Islamic law.

Adultery

Most Muslims believe that faithfulness is very important within marriage and Islam teaches that is wrong.

And do not come near to adultery, for it is an outrageous act, and an evil way to act.”

Qur’an 17:32

For many Muslims, adultery is seen as a very serious sin because of the pain and disharmony it can cause in the .

When a man commits adultery, faith departs from him as if it were a cloud overhead.”

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad

Contraception

Most Muslims believe that children are a gift and blessing from Allah: “He creates whatever He wills. He blesses whoever He wills with daughters, and blesses whoever He wills with sons,” (Qur’an 42:49).

Therefore, some Muslims oppose the use of contraception and believe that it contradicts what Allah expects and some of Muhammad’s teachings on procreation:

Marry the one who is fertile and loving, for I will boast of your great numbers.”

Hadith of Prophet Muhammad

However, most Muslims accept the use of contraception within marriage and some Muslims believe that there are times when bringing a child into the world would be irresponsible and cause suffering.

GCSE exam-style question

What is meant by the term adultery?

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The roles of men and women

Muslims believe that Allah created men and women, and they are therefore equal.

But who so does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter heaven.”

Qur’an 4:124

Traditionally, only men could be in the Islamic leadership hierarchy: “But the men have a degree over them in responsibility and authority,” (Qur’an 2:228).

Female Imam Yonghua Zheng sat with rows of women behind her as she leads prayer.
Image caption,
Female Imam Yonghua Zheng.

However, there are some key women in Islamic history who hold great importance. For example, there are four women in Islamic sources, both , who are given the status of the most women in Islam: Asiya wife of Pharaoh, Mary mother of Jesus, Khadija wife of the Prophet, and Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet and Khadija.

In Islam today it is unusual for women to be imams, unless it is leading a women-only mosque. For example, female Imam Yonghua Zheng leads Friday prayers at a women's only mosque in China.

Female Imam Yonghua Zheng sat with rows of women behind her as she leads prayer.
Image caption,
Female Imam Yonghua Zheng.

There are several Islamic teachings that place a high value on a mother bringing up her children, whilst men are expected to financially provide.

Some Muslims believe that women can perform religious duties at home, but they may also believe that when going on , a female should be accompanied by a male member of the family.

However, other Muslims believe that women can perform religious duties at the mosque as well as at home, and don’t need to be accompanied by a male relative during Hajj.

Two Muslim women with a Muslim man between them face the camera during a Hajj. The woman on the left is holding hands with the man.
Image caption,
Some Muslims believe that when going on Hajj, a female should be accompanied by a male relative.
Men are the caretakers of women, as men have been provisioned by Allah over women and tasked with supporting them financially. And righteous women are devoutly obedient.”

Qur’an 4:34

Two Muslim women with a Muslim man between them face the camera during a Hajj. The woman on the left is holding hands with the man.
Image caption,
Some Muslims believe that when going on Hajj, a female should be accompanied by a male relative.

GCSE exam-style question

Explain two religious beliefs about the role of men and women.

Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.

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Islam scripture quiz

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Relationships and families Islam quotes

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 5, “Command your children to pray.” Hadith of Prophet Muhammad,
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