Love and sex according to Islam

From: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/mar/24/love-and-sex-according-islam/

By Mohammad Hussain

In the Islamic faith, the marriage is believed to be an important avenue to satisfy the needs for love, fellowship and comfort. It is to provide tranquility, emotional and psychological gratification and sexual satisfaction.
Acknowledging the natural attraction between the opposite genders, sex is believed to be an important human need. Abstinence is a part of the Islamic faith, and fulfillment of sexual gratification is permitted only through the relationship of marriage. The marriage is not only to fulfill the sexual needs. It is also viewed as one of the means to continue the cohesion and solidarity of human family: "God created mankind — and then established relationship of lineage and marriage" (Quran 25:54).
Male and female are made for each other. They may have opposite sexes, but have similar nature, physical and psychological needs and desires and moral and societal obligations. The similarity and equality of this relationship between male and female is stressed: "God has made for you mates and companions of your own nature and made for you out of them sons and daughters and grandchildren and provided for you sustenance of the best" (Quran 16:72).
Marriage is a sign of God's providence and symbolizes his love for the humans, hence celibacy and monasticism is discouraged in Islam. Marriage is a virtuous relationship between man and woman, and people are encouraged to get married even if it be with a slave or a poor person, "Marry those among you who are single, or the virtuous ones among your slaves, male or female. If they are in poverty, God will give them means out of his grace" (Quran 24:32).
Despite all the encouragement, the fact is not ignored that not everyone is going to get married, for lack of financial means or other reasons. Such are told, "Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until God gives them means out of his grace" (Quran 24:33).
Divorce is considered detestable but is permitted in Islamic faith. The remarkably low divorce rate among Muslims may be due to social, financial and cultural reasons, but the religion plays a significant role in it.
Selection of spouse is an important aspect for the success and longevity of most Muslim marriages. Believing that compatibility is essential for a healthy marital relationship, Prophet Mohammad advised people to marry in their own circles. Muslims are free to marry across social, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, national or geographic boundaries, but a number of Prophet's traditions encourage compatibility in as many spheres as possible.
Marriage as a lasting relationship between the spouses involves family, but the success or the failure of the marriage impacts the society. Islam encourages thoughtful deliberation in the selection of spouse. Beauty is considered to be an asset, yet people are told to look at the inner beauty of a person. Prophet Mohammad said, "A spouse is sought in marriage for four reasons, namely beauty, family-lineage, wealth and character based on faith. The best criterion being such character."
Islam gives equal status to husbands and wives, but like other cultures the societal trends rather than the religion determine the role and the position of spouses.


Dr. Mohammad Hussain is an Evansville pediatrician and a member of the Islamic Society of Evansville.