Book Review: “Family Life in Islam” By Khurshid Ahmad
About the Book
The book Family
Life in Islam, by Khurshid Ahmad presents Islam as a comprehensive way of
life that shapes both individual character and collective culture. It originated
from a lecture delivered at a Christian-Muslim dialogue conference about the
Islamic concept of marriage and family as central pillars of social
organization, offering insights into how Islamic ideals sustain the harmony and
integrity of the family unit.
About the Author:
Khurshid Ahmad (1932–2025) was a
renowned Pakistani economist, philosopher, and Islamic thinker who pioneered
the field of Islamic economics and co-founded The Islamic Foundation in
Leicester, UK. A leading intellectual of the Jamaat-e-Islami movement, he
served as a senator and policy adviser, dedicating his life to integrating
Islamic principles into education, economics, and governance.
Khurshid Ahmad begins Family Life in Islam by
highlighting the deep cultural crisis facing modern civilization, particularly
in the West, where the family—the cornerstone of social and moral life—is
weakening under destructive forces. He calls for a re-examination of the moral
and spiritual foundations upon which family life is built, urging humanity to
consider the Islamic model as a complete and balanced alternative that
integrates faith with every aspect of existence.
Islamic Approach to Life, Religion and Culture
Hence, it’s vital to explore the Islamic foundations of family
life as a viable alternative that offers stability, moral balance, and harmony.
1. Tawhid: The Foundation of Islamic Life
At the heart of Islam lies Tawhid—the
Oneness and absolute sovereignty of Allah. This belief shapes the entire
worldview of a Muslim, recognizing Allah as the Creator, Sustainer, and
Lawgiver. All Prophets, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them), conveyed
the same divine message: submission to Allah and living a life of justice,
purity, and peace. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reaffirmed and
preserved this message in its final and perfect form, establishing a framework
where religion guides all human affairs, including family life.
2. Man’s Vicegerency and Human Equality
While Tawhid
is Islam’s ideological foundation, Khilafah—humanity’s
vicegerency on earth—forms its operational structure. Drawing from the Quranic
narrative of Adam and Eve, the author clarifies that humans were not cast down
in disgrace but sent to earth to fulfill a divine mission. Men and women share
equally in this role as the representatives of Allah, with no notion of
original sin or gender-based blame. Both are created pure and free, endowed
with choice and responsibility. Their success depends on following divine
guidance, and they will be judged equally according to their faith and deeds.
3.
Islam as a Comprehensive Way of Life
Islam rejects the division between the sacred and the secular. It offers a
holistic way of life that encompasses spiritual, moral, social, and political
dimensions. Every human action—from prayer to governance, trade to family
relations—can become an act of worship if guided by the values of Allah. The
Shariah provides a complete code for life, and the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be
upon him) example serves as a model for all human roles. Through this spiritual
integration, Islam sanctifies all aspects of life, uniting the material and
spiritual under one divine purpose.
4.
Faith as the Foundation of Society
Unlike systems based on race, tribe, or territory, Islam establishes faith as
the foundation of human unity. This creates an ideological and moral community (the Ummah)
that transcends all worldly distinctions. Faith not only connects individuals
to Allah but also to one another, shaping social, political, and legal
institutions from the family to the state. Thus, the family in Islam must be
understood within this wider framework of an integrated, faith-based
civilization, where every relationship and institution grows from the seed of
belief and submission to Allah.
Basic Principles Defining Family in Islam
1. The Family as a Divine Institution
In Islam, the family is not a man-made construct but a divinely inspired
institution established by Allah from the very beginning of human existence. It
is the natural foundation of society and the means through which humanity was
created. The Quran presents marriage as a sign
of the wisdom of Allah, filled with tranquility, love, and mercy, and Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him)
emphasized marriage as part of his Sunnah, declaring that turning away from it
is turning away from his path.
2. Marriage as a Sacred Social Contract
While marriage is divinely ordained, each individual union is based on a
binding social contract that requires mutual consent and entails specific
rights and obligations. It is described in the Quran as a strong covenant,
symbolizing commitment and accountability. Although sacred, marriage is not a
sacrament and can be dissolved through divorce when
necessary, with remarriage being lawful and even encouraged, free from stigma.
3. Faith as the Foundation of Family Life
Faith is the cornerstone of family relationships in Islam. A Muslim man is preferable
to marry a Muslim woman, ensuring spiritual and moral harmony between spouses.
The Quran guides that righteous men and women are best suited for one another,
while belief continues to determine inheritance and family ties. Should a
spouse renounce Islam, the marriage bond is dissolved, reaffirming that the
family is first and foremost a religious partnership built on shared belief and
divine purpose.
4. Marriage and Family as Social Foundations
Islam commands marriage and forbids
extramarital relations, viewing marriage as the
legitimate and stable framework for sexual, emotional, and social fulfillment.
The family is a microcosm of society—its moral and social training
ground—regulated by a comprehensive network of Quranic injunctions. The Islamic
family is extended, encompassing multiple generations and kinship ties that
ensure mutual support, balance, and continuity of values.
5. Equality and Complementarity of the Sexes
Islam upholds the equality of men and
women as human beings while recognizing their different roles in
family and society. This differentiation is functional, not hierarchical. The
man is primarily responsible for providing sustenance, while the woman’s
foremost duty is nurturing the home and raising the next generation. Both are
guardians accountable to Allah for their respective roles. This harmony of
responsibilities ensures the stability and moral health of the family and the
wider community.
Objectives and Functions of the Family in Islam
Khurshid Ahmad outlines the divine
purpose behind the family as the cornerstone of Islamic civilization. He views
it not merely as a social arrangement but as a sacred institution Designed by
Allah to fulfill both individual and collective needs, ensuring balance between
the spiritual, moral, and material dimensions of life.
1. Preservation and
Continuation of the Human Race: The
family ensures the survival and continuity of the human race through a stable
and divinely guided institution where man, woman, and child find protection and
purpose in fulfilling the plan of Allah for creation.
2. Protection of Morals: Marriage
in Islam regulates human desires, safeguarding individuals and society from immorality. It
channels sexual fulfillment through lawful means, preserving dignity and moral
balance.
3. Psycho-Emotional
Stability: The family provides
love, mercy, and tranquility between spouses, nurturing compassion, mutual
respect, and spiritual growth, as described in the Quran: {He has placed between you affection and mercy.} [Ar-Rum
30:21]
4. Socialization and Value-Orientation:
Beyond procreation, the family is the first school of
faith and character, instilling Islamic values, discipline, and cultural
identity, shaping the moral foundation of future generations.
5. Social and Economic
Security: The family serves as a safety net
ensuring care for the weak, the elderly, and orphans. It guarantees mutual
support, emotional comfort, and financial responsibility, reducing dependence
on state institutions.
6. Strengthening Social
Bonds and Cohesion: Marriage builds bridges
across families and communities, fostering social harmony and unity. Through
matrimonial alliances, Islam encourages the integration of diverse groups
within a shared moral framework.
7. Motivation for Effort
and Sacrifice: Marriage strengthens a
person’s sense of purpose and responsibility, motivating greater effort in
earning, giving, and building a stable life, for Allah Promises to enrich those
who marry out of His bounty.
Structures, Principles, and Rules of the Family in Islam
Marriage and Divorce in Islam
Marriage in Islam is a sacred yet
civil contract built on mutual consent, public declaration, and lawful
commitment. It serves as a lifelong union meant to fulfill emotional, moral,
and social needs. While Islam permits divorce, it is regarded as the least
desirable of lawful acts, only allowed after all reconciliation efforts fail.
Ahmad highlights that both husband and wife retain their rights, with defined
procedures for divorce, separation
by the wife (khul`), and judicial dissolution — all designed to preserve
justice and dignity of both parties.
The Contracting of Marriage
Marriage in Islam is a public and
communal affair, not a private arrangement. No specific religious ritual is
required, but the nikah is ideally conducted before witnesses, often
preceded by a brief Quranic sermon urging God-consciousness and mutual respect.
Simplicity and inclusiveness are encouraged, as the Prophet (peace be
upon him) said, “The
best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed.” Social participation in such events affirms the
family’s moral and communal significance.
The Structure of the Muslim Family
Ahmad describes the Muslim family as a
three-tiered structure encompassing the nuclear unit, close relatives, and
extended kinship. These relationships — formed through blood, marriage, or
foster-nursing — define mutual rights, inheritance, and responsibilities. While
not a joint economic system, the Muslim family is bound by cooperation,
emotional solidarity, and moral interdependence. This kinship structure is what
forms the nucleus of a compassionate and cohesive community.
The Position of Man and Woman
In the internal organization of the
family, Islam assigns complementary — not competitive — roles to men and women.
The man bears responsibility for material provision and leadership, while the
woman is entrusted with nurturing and domestic harmony. Ahmad reminds that {Men are those who support women since Allah has given
some persons advantages over others, and because they spend their wealth (on
them).} [An-Nisa’ 4:34] Yet equality in dignity and worth remains
central; both are accountable before Allah for justice and mercy within their
respective roles.
The Family and Society
Finally, Ahmad situates the family
within Islam’s wider moral and social order — a system built on chastity,
modesty, and responsibility. Islam protects this institution through laws
prohibiting fornication, promoting hijab, and encouraging virtuous conduct between the sexes.
In contrast to the West’s moral disintegration, Islam’s family system
safeguards human freedom by grounding it in divine purpose and ethical
discipline. Ahmad concludes that only through restoring this balance between
moral ideals and social institutions can humanity reclaim its freedom and
dignity.
You Can Also Read:
- Challenges of the Muslim Family in the West (II)
- Book Review: “The Family as Desired by Islam” by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
- Divine Opportunity to Preserve Muslim Identity
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