of Nekounam, , Session (1924)
The Holy Quran, as the Divine Book of Guidance, provides not only instructions for worship and spirituality but also a comprehensive roadmap for regulating family relations and human upbringing. This celestial book, with its wise discourse, elucidates rulings and principles in domains such as divorce, equality between men and women, free upbringing, and responsibility, all rooted in Divine wisdom and mercy. These principles guide humanity towards a balanced, dignified, and pious life. This treatise, through reflection on the luminous verses and profound analysis thereof, endeavours to present the Quranic culture in the field of family relations and upbringing with an elevated and scholarly language to its audience. Each section of this collection focuses on a key topic, providing detailed examination of the verses alongside practical analyses.
This section, concentrating on the wisdom of divorce in the Holy Quran, examines Divine solutions for resolving familial incompatibilities. Divorce, in the Quranic perspective, is not merely the end of a relationship but at times a gateway towards relief and a more balanced life.
وَإِنْ يَتَفَرَّقَا يُغْنِ اللَّهُ كُلًّا مِنْ سَعَتِهِ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ وَاسِعًا حَكِيمًا
"And if they separate, Allah will enrich each [of them] from His abundance. And ever is Allah Encompassing and Wise."
(Surah An-Nisa, Verse 130)
This noble verse, with clear wording, introduces divorce as a wise solution for couples whose incompatibility is irreconcilable. Contrary to the prevalent misconception that views divorce negatively, the Holy Quran regards it as a means for liberation and relief. This ruling manifests the religion's concern for the psychological and emotional health of individuals. Marriages formed without awareness and compatibility frequently end in failure. In such cases, continuation of the marital life is not beneficial; rather, it deepens psychological and emotional problems. The Holy Quran, by emphasising Divine relief, assures couples that separation can lead to a better and more suitable life.
This verse, by referring to the attribute of Allah as Wise, underscores the wisdom of this solution. Divorce, when the marital life has turned into a swamp of failure, acts as a bridge that leads spouses to the shore of tranquillity and satisfaction.
وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ أَنْ يَنْكِحْنَ أَزْوَاجَهُنَّ إِذَا تَرَاضَوْا بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ذَلِكَ يُوعَظُ بِهِ مَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَلِكُمْ أَزْكَى لَكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
"And when you divorce women and they have fulfilled their term, do not prevent them from remarrying their [former] husbands if they agree among themselves in a good way. That is advised to whoever of you believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is purer for you and cleaner, and Allah knows while you do not know."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 232)
This verse, emphasising the admonition of divorce for believers, indicates that separation, when carried out in accordance with Divine rulings, is not only not reprehensible but also pure and blessed. Cultivating a culture that accepts divorce as a wise solution necessitates reforming customary attitudes that are sometimes incompatible with the spirit of religion. In the early Islamic period, divorce occurred in a manner that did not cause enmity or familial conflict. This approach demonstrates the flexibility and mercy of the religion in resolving family problems.
Religious science, through correct deduction of rulings, can assist in rectifying erroneous attitudes toward divorce. Such reform requires the efforts of religious scholars to explain the laws and remove customary distortions.
Divorce in the Holy Quran is emphasised as a wise measure for liberation from irreconcilable incompatibilities. This ruling, by rejecting negative and customary views, invites the creation of healthy and lively families. Reforming the culture of divorce requires awareness-raising and scientific counselling so that unhealthy lives may be transformed into paradises of tranquillity.
Continuing the discussion on family relations, this section addresses the equality of men and women in spiritual values and Divine reward.
إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
"Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward."
(Surah Al-Ahzab, Verse 35)
This verse, with clear expression, emphasises the equality of men and women in spiritual values and Divine reward. The mention of men before women is not indicative of superiority, but rather due to mens protective role, defined by the structure of their nature and social responsibilities. Women, like delicate flowers, require protection, and this precedence is solely to ensure their security and comfort.
This section, by explaining the equality of men and women in honour and reward, underscores Divine justice in assessing deeds. This Quranic perspective contributes to the creation of a just and balanced society in which human worth is measured by piety and righteous action.
This section, linked to the preceding discussions, addresses the importance of free upbringing in family and society.
إِنْ نَشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ آيَةً فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَاقُهُمْ لَهَا خَاضِعِينَ
"If We will, We can send down to them from the sky a sign so their necks remain humbled to it."
(Surah Ash-Shuara, Verse 4)
This verse, emphasising free upbringing, indicates that Allah does not desire His servants to obey by compulsion but seeks to nurture free and responsible individuals. Oppressive upbringing, which coerces children into blind obedience, results in weak and unhealthy personalities. Conversely, free upbringing, which allows children to express creativity and emotions, contributes to nurturing patient and balanced individuals.
This verse, through a subtle metaphor, shows that Allah invites humans to faith freely rather than by force. This approach must be considered in familial upbringing so that children grow up with freedom and awareness instead of fear and compulsory submission.
