The Role of Righteous Spouse, Friends and Companion

Course: DHD 302

Student: Al Madzhar Ahmadul

HD Diploma Program

In your own words, outline the role of having righteous companions’ friends, and spouses in 600 words.

The Purpose of Creation

The importance of having a righteous companion cannot be overstated and perhaps will be understood fully when viewed from a bigger perspective of Islam on the purpose of our existence. In the age of where everything is romanticized to maximize profit in an unrestricted free market economy, love, lust and desire are promoted incessantly in subliminally driven marketing strategies. Therefore it is no wonder that one might frown or wonder that why in Islam, love is not a necessary pre requisite of marriage? Love may or may not be present at the beginning of marriage but it will be developed later on – a love that sprung from mutual respect and the winning of admiration.

In Islam, the purpose of existence is to live life in obedience to the Creator, fulfilling the responsibilities of man/woman to his/her Lord, self, parents, spouse, children, the society at large. This is accomplice by being a dutiful servant to the Lord. “I have not created the Jinn and Men except that they should worship Me” (Soorah Adh-Dhaariyat 51:56).

Marriage is half of Deen (Religion)

And so the prince marries the princess or the knights in shining armor weds the damsel in distress and they live happily ever after. Or is it?

Life is a journey of worship hence like any other journey with many pitfalls and traps, a righteous companion who constantly reminds of worship and obedience is a necessity. This does not only applies to marriage but extends towards friendship and companionship.

It is having common goals and aspirations that despite the personal difference, the relationship continues to grow because of having a common destination. It is perhaps of this and others as well, that the Prophet Sallallahu alaihi wasallam affirmed that marriage is half of our religion.

Righteous Offspring

Raising righteous children is perhaps one the biggest responsibility a person can ever have. It is a life-long commitment that consumes one’s health and wealth. Perhaps for the poor and the middle class, it is the single most expensive investment materially. Parents often forget their own selves just to provide their children good education and a better opportunity in life. As though raising children is not already a daunting task, raising them according to Islamic perspective is the real challenge and obligation of the Muslim parents. It is cultivating in them the sense of constant need of and communication with the Creator. It is nurturing in them the faith that one’s action in life will be compensated – even the smallest of them. It is fostering in them the belief that there is a Merciful God who loves to forgive and loves that His servants forgive each other, and many other things.

Just like what was already mentioned, it is having a common goal in marriage that life in this troubled world can be more harmonious. If the husband and wife have different goals and visions for their children, then, peace and harmony at home will be elusive.  Islamic identities are not just accomplished by sending our children to Islamic schools but it is primarily forged at home.

Society

The graphic contrast between the Islamic ideals and the reality of the world can never be more visualized than today’s multimedia driven world. A responsible Muslim who is engrained with the teachings found in the Qur’an and specifically in Soorah Al-Asr, that states that humankind are in loss except those who believe, do righteous good deeds, enjoins one another in truth and enjoins one another in patience (Qur’an 103:1-3), will never be truly at rest when he is surrounded by polytheism, injustices and immorality.  If like minded Muslims aggregate into neighborhoods or groups that have a common goal, they will have more chances of affecting the society. Therefore a strong Muslim community should be at the forefront in enjoining good and prohibiting evil, and in nation-building endeavors and social welfare projects.  Change ultimately must come from within, from one self, family and the society, until it reaches a critical mass where change is not only dreamed but effectuated.