Relationships and Family تعلقات اور خاندان

Marriage is a Sunnah and a sign of Allah: 'He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find tranquillity in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy' (30:21). Zina is a major sin, and Allah forbids even approaching it: 'Do not go near zina; it is an indecency and an evil way' (17:32). Romantic or sexual relationships outside marriage, including 'dating' in the common modern sense, secret relationships and explicit online chatting, are therefore haram. Getting to know a potential spouse for marriage, with family involvement and within Islamic limits, is permitted and encouraged, and the Prophet ﷺ advised looking at the prospective spouse (Tirmidhi 1087, hasan).

Mahram and non-mahram: Allah lists the relatives one can never marry (4:22-23), such as parents, children, siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, in-laws by marriage and milk relatives. With them, the rules of covering and interaction are relaxed. With non-mahrams, both men and women lower their gaze and observe modesty. Khalwa, being alone in private with a non-mahram, is forbidden: 'No man should be alone with a woman except with a mahram present' (Bukhari 5233, Muslim 1341). This applies at home, in cars and in closed offices.

Mixing between men and women: scholars agree that mixing involving khalwa, immodesty, flirting or physical contact is forbidden. Necessary and purposeful interaction in public places, such as study, work, shopping, healthcare and the mosque, is permitted by most scholars when Islamic etiquette is observed. More conservative scholars encourage separation wherever possible, while others emphasise that women participated in public life in the Prophet's ﷺ time. Shaking hands with the opposite sex is prohibited by the majority of scholars; a minority permit it without desire where refusing would cause harm.

Requirements of nikah: an offer and acceptance, the consent of both spouses (the Prophet ﷺ said a previously married woman must be consulted and a virgin must give permission, Bukhari 5136), two witnesses, and a mahr given to the wife (4:4). The Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools require the woman's guardian (wali): 'There is no marriage without a wali' (Abu Dawud 2085, Tirmidhi 1101); the Hanafi school allows an adult woman to contract her own marriage with a suitable match, though involving the family is recommended by all. Forced marriage is invalid. Muslim men may marry chaste women of the People of the Book (5:5), while Muslim women marry only Muslim men (60:10).

Rights: parents are owed kindness, respect and care, especially in old age: 'Do not say to them uff' (17:23-24), though obedience to anyone is not allowed in disobedience to Allah. Spouses owe each other kindness and fairness (4:19, 2:228); the husband provides maintenance and the wife's wealth is her own. 'The best of you are the best to their families' (Tirmidhi 3895). Children have the right to good names, education, upbringing and fair treatment (Bukhari 2587). Domestic abuse is haram. Cutting family ties is a major sin (Bukhari 5984).

Divorce is permitted but should be a last resort after reconciliation efforts (4:35). A husband's divorce (talaq) is given in a state of purity, with the waiting period (iddah) observed and kindness maintained (2:229, 65:1). A wife may seek release through khul' (2:229) or a court. Pronouncing three divorces at once is disapproved; the four schools count it as three, while some scholars count it as one. Anyone facing divorce should consult a qualified scholar or local Shariah council.