Islam and Judaism: Traditions in Marriage
Islam and Judaism: Traditions in MarriageThe basic reality of sexual relation between a man and woman is most clearly established by human nature. Traditional sources recognize that in Judaism companionship, love, and intimacy are the primary purposes of marriage, noting that woman was created in Gen. 2:18 because "it is not good for man to be alone," rather than because she was necessary for procreation. Islam being a religion of nature also confirms that sexual drive is a natural instinct that God has ordained within the sanctity of marriage. However, procreation-the goal nature wants to achieve with this union-is the general purpose of marriage in Islam. Of course the Jewish family begins with the marriage of a man and woman, but procreation is not the sole purpose of marriage as mentioned above with regards to Islam. Islamic and Jewish marriage traditions share many similarities, although their main purposes of marriage are quite different. The aim of this paper is then to demonstrate the significance of the marriages in Islam and Judaism, their traditions that should be rituals in today's marriage, as well also hoping to show the similarities between the two religions in terms of marriage.
Judaism feels the same way, however, they do not stress as much importance on procreation as reason for marriage as they do, for companionship and intimacy (which keeps them from committing any "sins"). A woman can seek divorce if her husband fails to observe general marital obligations. The Talmud also states explicitly that the purpose of the Ketubah was to make sure that "it should not be easy for a husband to divorce his wife," a protections that is necessary under Jewish law since only the husband can initiate divorce (Lamm 162). Simplicity has been the basis of everything is Islam, and cultural traditions seem to play the main role in weddings today, more so than basic religious fundamentals (I can say this for Islam from my own experience). The institution of marriage was centered around the production of children and the caring for, protecting and providing for wives and children (Abdul-Rauf 11). In the Qur'an, Surah Al-Nisa lays out the foundations of marriage and reveals that polygamy was sanctioned, and other important ordinates were introduced, making provision for the maintenance and protection of women and children. Once the t'nayim is read out loud, the two mothers will break a dish to symbolize the irreversible nature of that decision that has been made (Ibid). Marriage becomes an outlet for this reason-marriage is the only legitimate way to indulge in intimacy between a man and a woman (Hekmat 18, Greenburg 181). Nikkah ceremony consists of a Qur'an recitation, and then the Imam (priest) formally asks both the bride and groom if they accept this marriage. Secondly the practice of the mahr (dowry) is required, because without it the marriage is not valid in Islam. It often takes the form today of the kest, a promise to support the son-in-law while he studies at the yeshiva (Gross 187). Islam does not all divorce during the woman's menstrual period because there is a prescribed waiting period for the woman to determine if she is pregnant (or not) before the divorce can proceed (Ibid). Muslim men must provide maintenance for their wives, such as financial responsibility. Mulk meaning "ownership" and Mut'ah "enjoyment", the general interpretation would be "ownership of the right of the enjoyment of the woman.
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Acceptance Essays
