-
Marriage is a natural necessity for every human being and procreation, sexual satisfaction, peace of mind etc. are among the benefits associated with marriage. However, it is obvious that the afore-mentioned benefits could not be the ultimate goal of marriage in Islam as the non-Muslim couples can also achieve these, perhaps in a better way.
According to the Qur’an and the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) and his pure household (a.s), it is understood that human beings are not created solely for the purposes of eating, drinking, sleeping, seeking pleasure or acting lustfully. Thus, the ultimate aim of marriage for a religious person could not only be sexual satisfaction, procreation etc., rather, it should be a means of gaining proximity to Allah and avoiding sins. In this regard, a faithful and good spouse assumes an important role as he invites his partner to goodness, in the same way an unfaithful spouse would tempt his partner towards infidelity and corruption.
Islam on different occasions has enjoined its adherents to consider religion and good manners as necessary criteria for the selection of their future partners. The Qur’an says: “Do not marry idolatresses until they embrace faith. A faithful slave girl is better than an idolatress, though she should impress you. And do not marry [your daughters] to idolaters until they embrace faith. A faithful slave is better than an idolater, though he should impress you…” (Qur’an 2: 221)
Similarly, the noble Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: “If I were to bestow all the good of both worlds upon a Muslim, I would endow him with a humble heart; a tongue which continuously utters the praises of Allah; a body patient enough to withstand all calamities; and I would give him a pious wife, whom when he sees he becomes happy and who protects her husband's property as well as her own honour in his absence” (Hur Amuli; Wasa’il as-Shiah, Vol. 14, P. 3.)
According to the above-quoted verse, it is clear that faith and religion is an uncompromised condition for marriage in Islam. This is because the ultimate goal of marriage is the everlasting salvation in this world and the Hereafter, and which cannot be achieved by marrying an idolatress or idolater. Therefore, Islam has explicitly prohibited marriage with the infidels except that they embrace Islam. In the light of this, neither is the Muslim man allowed to marry an idolatress nor a Muslim woman is allowed to be given in marriage to an idolater.