Islamic Teachings on Ideal Family Life — Page 15
~ 15 ~ For the protection of human race marriage is a must. To fulfill this purpose a healthy partner must be selected for healthy generations, because a healthy fruit depends upon a healthy tree, and a healthy tree depends upon a healthy soil. Almighty All ā h has mentioned the wives as tilth, which shows that healthy generations will depend upon healthy wives. Propagation of Species through Marriage Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirz ā Ghul ā m A ḥ mad, the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, says that the above mentioned verse of the Holy Qur’ ā n states that, Your wives are your tilth for the purpose of procreation, so approach your tilth as you may desire, but keep in mind the requirements of tilth, that is, do not have union in any manner that may obstruct the birth of children… Of course, if the wife is ill, and it is certain that pregnancy will put her life in danger, or there is a sincere belief that some other valid reason exists, then such circumstances are exceptions. Otherwise, it is not permissible in the laws of Isl ā m to obstruct the birth of children. Thus, as a wife has been designated as tilth … one of the purposes of marriage is that righteous servants of God may be born who may remember Him. The second purpose … is that husband and wife may safeguard themselves through each other against improper looks and misconduct. The third purpose is that mutual love develops between them safeguarding them against the distress of loneliness. All this is set out in the Holy Qur’ ā n… (Chashma-i-Ma‘rifat, R ū h ā n ī Khaz ā ’in, Vol. 23, pp. 292-293)