The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 252
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 252 how you like, and reap the harvest of your choice. ” 1 In this verse, the purpose of the continuation of human life has been mentioned. In other words, it must be ensured that the line of human offspring continues to flourish. Along with this, God the Exalted has also mentioned in a very subtle manner that when future progeny is to be brought into existence through wives, an individual should maintain relations with his wife in such a manner that future progeny is not ruined, rather, the best possible offspring is brought into existence. Then, He states: Meaning, “Allāh the Exalted has created wives for you from among yourselves, so that you may find peace of heart in your relation with them, then God has made this relationship a means of love and tenderness between you. ” 2 In this verse, the third and fourth purposes of marriage have been mentioned; in other words, so that a husband and wife may find a life-long companion in one another, and may find comfort in their relationship with one another. Secondly, so that through marriage, a relationship of love and unity may be created between the relatives of both husband and wife, and in addition to blood-relations, through other ties, various families and various nations may receive opportunities to come together in a bond of love and companionship. Therefore, in the Islāmic Sharī‘at , four purposes of marriage have been mentioned: firstly, Iḥṣān , i. e. , to be safeguarded from various physical and spiritual ailments and their consequences; secondly, the continuation of human life; thirdly, life-long companionship and peace of heart; fourthly, the joining of different families and different nations through a relationship of love and compassion. If one contemplates, not only are all of these purposes absolutely permissible and appropriate; rather, they are extremely pure and in complete accordance with human nature and the needs of mankind. Through these aspects, the relationship of husband and wife has been planted upon a most excellent foundation and a means has been developed by which the best possible fruit may be procured as a result of this relationship. Furthermore, in 1 Al-Baqarah (2:224) 2 Ar-Rūm (30:22)