al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam

al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam (Marriage in the Shade of Islam) is a treatise on Islamic marital jurisprudence, psychology, and family ethics written by Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd al-Khaliq (d. 1442 AH / 2020 CE) al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.

Background and Purpose

The material for the book was originally written and published as a series of articles in the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Watan, before being compiled and finalized as an independent work in Kuwait on 17 Muharram 1399 AH al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.

The author addressed the book to the general public rather than specialized religious scholars, with the intention of simplifying the legal terms, conditions, and ramifications of the marriage contract al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam. In the introduction, he explains that marital discord and family breakdown primarily stem from three causes: ignorance of male and female psychological characteristics, ignorance of innate individual differences between the sexes, and neglect of the mandatory Islamic ethics governing marital relationships al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam. He also highlights that the marriage contract represents one of the remaining applied aspects of Islamic legislation in modern societies, and that preserving family structure protects society from moral dissolution al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.

Structure and Contents

The work covers several thematic discussions surrounding marriage:

• The Foundation and Blessing of Marriage: Explores the creation of humanity from a single soul (Adam) and the creation of his mate from him, arguing that men and women share an essential origin, are complementary halves, and have distinct innate duties suited to their biological and social roles al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.
• The Legal Ruling on Marriage: Discusses the prohibition of monasticism and complete celibacy (al-tabattul) in Islam, presenting the proofs that marriage is encouraged for those capable of it, noting the opinion of Ibn Hazm and one narration from Ahmad ibn Hanbal that marriage is obligatory, alongside the majority view that it is recommended al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.
• The Objectives of Marriage: Outlines four major purposes behind entering into marriage:
  1. Procreation: Continuing human existence and producing righteous lineage to fulfill stewardship on Earth al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.
  2. Psychological and Physical Fulfillment: Attaining emotional tranquility, affection, and lawful intimacy al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.
  3. Human Maturity and Social Protection: Fostering personal and mental maturity through familial responsibilities, and remedying involuntary spinsterhood and widowhood al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.
  4. Cooperation in Building Society: Forming the nuclear unit of a healthy Muslim community through shared partnership and mutual duties al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam.
• Spousal Selection: Explains how to select a life partner, highlighting inner character, moral origin, and religious commitment as the essential standards for both prospective spouses al-Zawaj fi Zill al-Islam+1.