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Family and Kinship
Rights of spouses, parents and children, protection of orphans and maintaining family ties.
Key concepts
Marriage and mutual care
The Quran calls for kind and honourable treatment between spouses and describes marriage through affection and mercy. The bridal gift belongs to the wife. If serious discord arises, the text names an arbitrator from each spouse’s family. A lawful remarriage agreed on honourably must not be obstructed.
Parents and lasting kindness
Even a small expression of irritation such as “uff” is forbidden towards ageing parents, and children are taught to ask Allah to have mercy on them. The Quran singles out the mother’s hardship in pregnancy. If parents call to shirk, that demand is refused while kind companionship in worldly life continues. Maintaining kinship also means keeping ties when relatives cut them.
Children, maintenance and privacy
The Quran gives two complete years for those wishing to complete breastfeeding; earlier weaning is arranged by mutual consent and consultation. Maintenance follows the provider’s available means. Three daily privacy periods are specified for the household members named in the passage; after puberty, children seek permission as adults do. Families are also called to protect themselves from the Fire.
Protecting orphans’ property
An orphan’s property is handed over when marriageable maturity and sound judgement are established. Guardians must not substitute bad property for good or consume it unjustly. The Quran compares wrongful consumption to eating fire into one’s belly. Guardianship therefore involves preservation, careful assessment and restoring the owner’s control when the stated conditions are met.
Inheritance and family responsibility
The Quran explicitly gives both men and women shares in what parents and relatives leave. This establishes that inheritance rights include both sexes. Read alongside the duties of kindness, maintenance and protecting vulnerable family members, the teaching presents family life as a network of rights to preserve and responsibilities to fulfil.
Further reading and resources
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