The Status of Family in Islam

1. Family life: basic principles

- The family system is divinely inspired institution. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) called Marriage a (Meethaqan Ghalidah) “strong and dangerous covenant” – serious (not easy contract) regulation of divorce, child custody.

- Social contract: lends to relationship beyond contracting parties. Children with marriage – no legal relations (no right of inheritance).

- Faith and family.

 Men are also respectable for children.

 Marrying non-muslims is forbidden for Muslim women, but for man it is ok.

 Faithful people should marry each other.

 Faith matters when it comes to inheritance.

 Forbidden, outside marriage relationships.

 Free mixing is not allowed as it leads to haraam things and you might get married without the extended family.

2. Structures and rules

Even if you are divorced the family remains intact.

Closest fold - Husband and wife, their children’s, their parents, and slaves.

Central fold – close relative who have special roles and who move freely inside the house and marriage is forbidden. Hijab is not required.

Other fold – really extended family, maternal uncle and aunt, nieces and nephews, step kids.

Distance fold - Collateral relatives like cousins.

Men

The oldest member of the family is considered the head of the family – they are considered more wiser, more respected etc.

The man’s major responsibility lies outside the family.

Women

The major responsibility is at the house.

The eldest female is the head of the social life.

Equal right and responsibility or even rights or responsibility – it is more inclined towards even rights.

3. Love, Marriage and Family life

Family life has to be established by marriage. Marriage in Islam is the only legal way to express love to your spouse. So if you have an illegitimate affair it has to go through with marriage to be legal.

4. The Family and society

Islamic law came to protect the structure to protect sex out of marriage to protect the family.

It is important for the Ummah and the community.

It is based on Deen and faith and should be looked at as an ideological society.