Purpose of Marriage
The word “zawj” is used in the Qur’an to mean a pair or a mate. In general it
usage refers to marriage. The general purpose of marriage is that the sexes can
provide company to one another, love to one another, procreate children and live
in peace and tranquility to the commandments of Allah.
Through Marriage, the conjugal relationship between a man and a woman becomes
lawful. It provides a legitimate outlet for recreation as well as procreation.
Islam regards sex as natural and good, but restricts it to the partners of
marriage so as to ensure the responsibility for its consequences.
Marriage provides spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological
companionship. This companionship generates and sustains love, kindness,
compassion, mutual confidence, solace and succor (sakinah). It lays a spiritual
and legal foundation for raising a family. The children born of the matrimonial
union become legitimate and mutual rights of inheritance are established.