What Quran Says Family and Purpose of Marriage

IQNA – The family is an important institution, and the Holy Quran emphasizes different purposes for forming a family and for getting married.

This is according to an article titled “Purposes of Forming Family according to Quran” written by Fatima Hafiz, a University of Cairo scholar and Quran researcher. 

Following are excerpts from the article:

The Holy Quran attaches importance to the institution of family and in a number of verses highlights its importance, including Verse 21 of Surah Ar-Rum:

“His creating spouses for you out of yourselves so that you might take comfort in them and His creating love and mercy among you. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people who (carefully) think.”

The word family is not mentioned in the Quran but it refers to family with words like Aal and Ahl.

There are different purposes mentioned in the Holy Book for getting married and forming a family that can be divided into five categories:

1- Preservation of Humanity

The Quran emphasizes that marriage is the only way for preserving humanity, including in Verse 1 of Surah An-Nisa: “People, have fear of your Lord who has created you from a single soul. From it He created your spouse and through them He populated the land with many men and women. Have fear of the One by whose Name you swear to settle your differences and have respect for your relatives. God certainly keeps watch over you.”

That is why Islam is against celibacy and considers abortion to be Haram (forbidden).

2- Chastity and purity

The word Ihssan is mentioned in the Quran to highlight the importance of chastity.

There ae many ruling in Islam that aim to realize the objectives of Ihssan.

3- Reaching Peace

Reaching peace is one of the major goals of marriage. God says in Verse 189 of Surah Al’Aaraf:

“It is God Who created you from a single soul and out of it made its spouse to bring it comfort (and peace).”

4- Mercy and compassion

Family is formed based on mercy and compassion and the family ties are maintained and strengthened with them as well.

5- Social coherence

Many scholars believe that enhancing social coherence is among the main goals of family formation. That is why God uses a plural noun when referring to family.

“Do not envy the favors which God has granted to some of you. Men and women will both be rewarded according to their deeds, rather pray to God for His favors. God knows all things.” (Verse 32 of Surah An-Nisa)

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