The Family Institution of Islam

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Under the supervision of:

One of the earliest and most fundamental organizations that has persisted from prehistoric

beginnings to modern cultures is the family. Every culture has had a family structure that creates,

nourishes, and safeguards people who will aid them in surviving, despite variations in design and

function. Because a family is still the most effective system for creating and fostering individuals.

Institutions that serve a variety of purposes in society, including those related to religion,

education, the economy, and health, mostly developed as a result of how people were reared in

families and interacted with one another. The history of the family is rooted in the development

of humanity (Wagay, 2019). The idea of family, which is essentially an attempt to understand

humanity as a social being, is also strongly tied to disciplines like religion, sociology, biology, and

economics. Religious researchers, anthropologists, sociologists, historians, and philosophers are

among the first to begin studying the family because of its many ties.

Marriage in Islam as the Basis to a Family Institution

The foundational unit of human civilization is the family. Marriage, one of the traditional

human social institutions, is the cornerstone of a family. Islam views the nikah covenant, which

establishes a husband and wife's connection as a legal marriage, as a holy social compact. Islam

emphasizes the importance of entering into the nikah bond and exhorts all Muslims to do so if

there are no practical barriers to doing so. They will be spared from all unethical sexual and sensual

behaviors thanks to it. Islam also made it very clear that the bond between a man and a woman is

not just for sexual gratification. Instead, it is a solemn agreement, governed by rigid laws of

reciprocal connections, from which the roles and duties in family life are established. As a result,

in Islam, where family life is seen to have started with the creation of Adam and Eve, it is strongly
advised and promoted. Since that time, every Prophet has been sent to defend the institution of

marriage and, by extension, the family, in their own communities.

Moral and Legal Responsibilities and Rights of Family Members in Islam

Family serves as the cornerstone of Islam's social structure, which was established by

divine decree and is not a random or haphazard grouping of individuals. Families and weddings

are revered as noble and holy institutions. It is a social contract that grants the couple reciprocal

duties and rights. The strength and unity of the family might be compared to the advancement or

welfare of society or to its dissolution. Problems like juvenile delinquency, drug misuse,

drunkenness, immoral pregnancies, and divorce are indicators of weakness (Shamim, 2009). Islam

is easier to understand than other religions in this regard. It places a strong focus on family values

and exhorts its adherents to never forgo family time under any circumstances. Marriage is the

beginning of a family in any civilization. Islam likewise views marriage as the beginning of a

family. Marriage must adhere to certain requirements as part of the divine contract since it has

both religious and social importance. The four main requirements for an Islamic marriage are: the

consent and satisfaction of the spouses, who are adults; the announcement of the marriage in

public; the wife's dower; and the accuracy of the information in the covenant (Mostafa, 2017).

Islam even provides advice on choosing a partner. Some people choose to wed for beauty, some

for position, others for wealth, and some for piety, according to the Prophet (may peace be upon

him), but you should wed a decent and moral individual (Ullah, 1999).

The ability to start a family through marriage is a gift from Allah swt. Every living thing

was formed in pairs, male and female, by the Almighty Allah swt. In order for them to be bound

together by the tie of selfless love and sacrifice. In the Holy Qur'an, Allah SWT declares: "O

mankind! Respect your Lord, who made you from a single individual (Adam), from whom He
made his wife (Eve), and from them both He made many men and women, and fear Allah, through

Whom you demand your rights, and (do not sever relations of) the wombs (kinship). "Your Lord

made you from a single soul, and from it created its mate, and from the pair of them scattered

abroad many men and women" (al-Qur'an, 4:1).

Because marriage is first observed by Allah swt and subsequently by society, it is

recognized in Islam as both a civil contract and as the fulfillment of a divine requirement. The

Prophet (may peace be upon him) promotes marriage and family life, and those who disobey it are

not regarded as followers (Ullah, 1999). Because it is only via marriage that a husband and wife

may lawfully satisfy their sexual urges and other natural impulses such as those for love, closeness,

and friendship. The scripture makes it quite clear that Islam supports marriage in every form.

Celibacy was not encouraged by the Prophet (may peace be upon him). The Holy Qur'an has

several passages that support strong families (Mostafa, 2017).

The role of parents in the family is crucial. They have the responsibility of parenting kids

and watching over their actions and attitudes as parents. The nature of parent-child relationships,

which profoundly influences children's lives, shapes the character and personality of the children.

In fact, parents have a critical role in forming their children's moral character and must instill a

sense of dread for God in them from an early age. They cannot anticipate a righteous attitude from

them if not (Mostafa, 2017). A virtuous kid would offer prayers for their parents if they made an

effort to raise their children in righteousness. On the other hand, children are expected to treat

parents with compassion, reverence, and respect regardless of how their parents raised them. They

appear to be paying Allah swt reverence (al-Qur'an 2:83).

As a result, the institution of family is founded on higher principles of life in the Qur'an.

The family is a crucial institution in the development of civilization (Wagay, 2019). It is impossible
to advance civilization and achieve stability in life by only satisfying one's desires. The entire

foundation of human civilization is based on harmony, compassion, and love. As much as possible,

a family shouldn't be split up. Divorce is thus the lawful thing that is most despised in a hadith

(Ullah, 1999). The Holy Qur'an makes it very apparent that family life should be built not only on

the authority of the husband but also on love and compassion between spouses, as well as

reciprocal cooperation and involvement in decision-making. If these principles are effectively

upheld, the husband and wife would respect one another. A woman's education and income may

greatly increase the stability and prosperity of a family if they consult one another before making

any important decisions. Islam views everyone as a part of the same family that their Creator

created. And that it is our responsibility to treat one another with respect, kindness, and love (Jamal

et al., 2022).

Functions and Structure

What roles does Islam envision the family structure playing in both people's personal and

societal lives? Even if maintaining and communicating the human race is one of the family's goals,

it is not only a factory for human reproduction. It serves as the foundation for the entire

sociocultural system and serves as a self-sustaining mechanism to guarantee social, ideological,

and cultural stability over the course of society on the one hand, and in the past, present, and future

on the other. Let's quickly go over the goals and duties of the family as stated in the Quran and the

Sunnah (Khurshid, 1974). The preservation and continuation of the human race, the upholding of

morals, finding psychological, emotional, and spiritual companionship, and social and economic

security are all functions of the family (Khurshid, 1974).

The family has a three-tiered structure. The husband, the wife, their children, their parents

who reside with them, and any servants, make up the first and closest group. The center fold of the
family is made up of a number of close relatives who, whether they live together or not, have

special claims on one another, are free to travel throughout the family, are not allowed to be

married, and are not required to wear the hijab (veil). These are the individuals who are also first

in line to inherit a person's money and resources, both during their lifetime and after their passing

(as beneficiaries, often referred to as "sharers" under inheritance law). The fact that they are

classified as Mahram, or people with whom marriage is forbidden, is essential in this regard. When

family members share each other's joys, sorrows, hopes, and worries, this forms the true heart of

the family. This connection is the result of consanguinity, affinity, and foster care. 57 Con sanguine

relationships include: (a) parents, grandparents, and other direct ascendants; (b) direct descendants,

such as sons, daughters, grandchildren, granddaughters, etc.; and (c) second degree relationships

(such as brothers, sisters and their descendants). (d) Sisters of the mother or father (not their

daughter or other descendants).

The following are those based on affinity: I mother-in-laws, father-in-laws, grandmother-

in-laws, grandfather-in-laws; (ii) wives' daughters, husbands' sons, or their grand or great grand

daughters or sons; (iii) sons' wives, sons' sons wives, daughter's husbands; and (iv) stepmothers

(step-father). Through fosternursing, same relations are generally prohibited. (al-ridaah). This is

the true foundation of connections and the extended family. The family's outside peripheral is

made up of all those relations that are not part of this group. The fact that some of them have been

added to the second and third lines of inheritors confirms that they, too, have their own rights and

duties. A diagram is used to show the family's general structure below.

Conclusion

The enormous significance that Muslim society places on the institution of the family is

one of its most distinguishing characteristics. A strong and orderly society is said to be built on the

institution of the family. The nature, purpose, and structure of the family have, nevertheless, been

the topic of several inquiries in modern times. Finally, we may assert that a society based on

equality, love, and righteousness will be built if everyone abides by the Islamic teachings of how

to treat family members. Islam's social, moral, and spiritual precepts guarantee that all family

members have enduring ties and show respect for others' rights and privileges. These lovely

Islamic teachings are not only for Muslims; they apply to all human beings in the present and the

future.
 According to the discussion above, the family is the earliest and most important institution

of human society, and in Islam, it begins with the sacred union of marriage. A perfect family,

which is only attainable when a man and woman enter into the holy bond of marriage, is the

foundation upon which a perfect society may be established. Marriage fosters peace of mind as

well as love, sacrifice, care, affection, and collaboration between the husband and wife. A family

cannot be a genuine family if there is no love, giving up, affection, teamwork, compromise, or

consideration. Parental responsibility and the child's reciprocal duty to its parents are of paramount

importance in Islam. Parents unquestionably have a significant role in the family. In their roles as

parents, the mother and father are tasked with raising children and, as such, with keeping an eye

on their behavior. The nature of the relationships between the father and mother shapes the

character and personality of the children since it has a profound impact on their lives. In fact,

parents have a critical role in forming their children's moral character and must instill a sense of

dread for God in them from an early age. Without a doubt, Islam accords parents significant honor

and respect in addition to Allah swt. Parents deserve a great deal of respect and honor as the

family's leader. Children are expected to treat their parents with love, respect, and politeness at all

times. They also bear a great deal of duty for watching over their kids both inside and outside the

house. In contrast, parents need to appreciate their children, recognize their status, and provide

them with enjoyable company. The Qur'an instructs parents to show their children love and

devotion so that they might develop self-respect and dignity as they grow up. The welfare of

society depends on a good family environment. Islam describes a society where individuals would

coexist peacefully while maintaining a feeling of the brotherhood that has been divinely decreed.

Only when kids receive quality parental instruction is this feasible. After that, this family would

be able to establish a perfect society with a high moral standard. Islamic law mandates marriage
and family life because they safeguard people from immoral behavior and provide their social and

financial stability. Thus, it would seem that Islam envisions a society in which individuals coexist

peacefully while maintaining the bonds of the family.

Jamal, J., Rahmadi, M. A., Aimah, S., Al Biruni, M. R., & Mushoddiq, M. D. (2022). Family

Institution and Gender Equality: A Comparative Study in Islam and Feminism

Perspective. Tasfiyah: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 6(1), 43.

https://doi.org/10.21111/tasfiyah.v6i1.6902

Khurshid, A. (1974). Family life in Islam. Islamic Foundation.

Mostafa, S. (2017). Legal and Moral Rights and Responsibilities of Family Members in Islam :

An Analysis. Islami Ain O Bichar.

Shamim, A. (2009). Faith & Philosophy of Islam. Gyan Publishing House.

Ullah, A. (1999). The Muslim Law of Marriage. Kitab Bhavan.

Wagay, S. (2019). Institution of Family in Islam. Islam and Muslim Societies: A Social Science

Journal 12(2).