Marriage and the Family

Question 1

What are two non-religious attitudes to marriage and cohabitation?

Answer 1

-Atheist=believe marriage is the best environment, but would happily cohabit.
-Humanist=they would likely have a marriage ceremony to show partner that they are committed however would happily cohabit.

Question 2

What are three Muslim beliefs about marriage(3)?

Answer 2

-dowry must be given
-marriage is seen as a legal contract.
-many Muslims will help their children to find the right partner (arranged marriage).

Question 3

What are three purposes of marriage?

Answer 3

-to bring a man and woman together to have children.
-to create a family and strengthen society.
-to share love, Allah’s intention for us.

Question 4

Why is marriage important (3)?

Answer 4

-it is considered a religious duty and follows the practice of the Prophet Muhammed.
-it acts as a moral safeguard and prevents Muslims from having casual relationships or not seeing sex as special.
-it promotes the sharing of love and companionship between two people.

Question 5

What are three Muslim teachings about marriage?

Answer 5

-The Hadith states, ‘when a man has married, he has completed one half of his religion’
-‘marry the unmarried among you’
-‘is not lawful for you to inherit women against their will’

Question 6

When do Muslims believe sexual relationships can take place?

Answer 6

-once a Muslim is married.

Question 7

Why is sex important to Musims(3)?

Answer 7

-it fulfills physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
-sex is a gift from Allah intended so that they can procreate.
-sex allows procreation which is what Allah wanted so they will be rewarded by Jannah.

Question 8

What are two reasons why Muslims believe sex fulfills physical,spiritual and emotional needs?

Answer 8

-sex fulfills emotional needs as it allows a couple to satisfy eachother’s needs and share love.
-sex fulfills spiritual needs as it allows procreation which allows Muslims to have access to Jannah.

Question 9

What is a teaching about sexual relations within marriage?

Answer 9

-‘they are as garments to you,as you are to them’

Question 10

When are sexual relations not allowed and three teachings(2)?

Answer 10

-pre marital sex is not allowed as sex is sacred and should only be done with your husband/wife.
-‘lash each one of them’
-‘women of purity are for men of purity’
-adultery is haram as it shows your partner your not faithful.
-‘do not approach adultery’

Question 11

Do Muslims support homosexuality?

Answer 11

-Majority of Muslims forbid homosexuality.
-However, very few Muslims support homosexuality.

Question 12

What are three reasons why homosexuality may be acceptable in Islam?

Answer 12

-scientific development has proved that homosexuality is natural therefore part of Allah’s plan.
-homosexuality is now acceptable in many societies, so should be supported by all Muslims.
-Allah has created everyone with all their individual characteristics. Therefore, all sexualities should be supported.

Question 13

What are three reasons why homosexuality is not acceptable in Islam (including two teachings from the Qur’an)?

Answer 13

-Allah has made people to procreate. A homosexual couple cannot reproduce naturally.
-The Qur’an has several passages that suggest homosexuality is wrong. The Qur’an states, ‘do you approach males among the worlds, and leave what your Lord has created for you as mates’
-The Qur’an states, ‘you approach men with desire instead of women. Rather, you are a transgressing people’

Question 14

What is a nuclear, single-parent and blended family and what are Muslims views on them?

Answer 14

-nuclear family is two parents (man and woman) and their children.
-Muslims prefer nuclear family as Prophet Muhamed lived like this.
-single-parent family is one parent and children.
-Muslims would prefer the parent not remain single as they believe both a mother and father are crucial for proper upbringing of a child.
-blended family are stepfamilies who have joined together through remarriage.
-Muslims would agree blended families are better than single-parent families, as they bring two groups of people together, strengthening the Ummah.

Question 15

What is a same-sex and extended family and what are Muslims views on them?

Answer 15

-same-sex families are two parents of the same sex and children.
-Muslims would oppose this family type as Allah created man to be with woman.
-Extended family are parents, children, grandparents etc..
-Muslims would accept this family type as it gives importance to caring for one’s parents, relatives..

Question 16

What is the purpose of family in Islam and a quote for one of them(3)?

Answer 16

-to raise children as good Muslims and give the best possible care to them so they can prepare for the next generation of Muslims.
-to care for others,it is a duty of Muslims to care for elders especially their parents so they can access Jannah. The Hadith states, ‘paradise lies at the feet of your mother’
-to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammed therfore Muslims will also want to marry and have children.

Question 17

What are five ways Muslims support families and explain them?

Answer 17

-Worship:Muslim families will attend prayer at the mosque together, a families visit to the mosque fulfills a spiritual and social purpose.
-Groups for Children:The Umman runs the mosque school, it aims to develop a child’s knowledge of Muslim beliefs.
-Classes for Parents: these classes are focused on enhancing their understanding of Islam and how to raise their children as good Muslims.
-Rites of Passage: Muslims will celebrate events such as weddings, celebration dinners to welcome newborns as a family.
-Councilling: a mosque leader will help solve problems between personal relationships and families.

Question 18

Why does the Muslims community support families including two teachings(3)?

Answer 18

-it follows the example of the Prophet Muhammed who supported the Ummah and taught that families should work together to strengthen the Ummah.
-The Qur’an states, ‘help eachother to goodness’ illustrating that every Muslims is responsible for helping eachother follow the right path and access Jannah.
-The Qur’an states, ‘hold fast to God’s rope all together’, illustrating that the Ummah should not seperate and unite by following Allah’s teachings together.

Question 19

What are three Muslim teachings on divorce(3)?

Answer 19

-the husband will anounce the intention of divorcing his wife, this may be said up to three times.
-after announcing the intention of divorce, the couple will live together for three months (iddah) but they will not have sex.
-during the Iddah, Muslims hope it is possible for the couple to reconcile and Allah will forgive them.

Question 20

What are three reasons why Muslims may accept divorce as the last resort (including one teaching)?

Answer 20

-a couple should not be kept in an unhappy marriage. Allah is benevolant so would want his followers to be happy.
-certain situations mean the marriage is not working. The Qur’an states, ‘do not approach adultery’ therefore if a married person has had an affair, they have broken their Nikah contract.
-The Qur’an explains the way a divorce can be given. Therefore, it must be allowed if the Qur’an indicates it is achievable, even if it isn’t desirable.

Question 21

What are three reasons why Muslims may believe divorce should not be done under any circumstances (including one teaching)?

Answer 21

-a married couple should be able to solve any problems. if there is an issue,they can seek guidance from the Imam.
-Prophet Muhammed disliked divorce. The Qur’an states,’it is the most hated of all lawful things’ illustrating that Allah dislikes couples who break the Nikah contract.
-it weakens the Ummah. Therefore, the Ummah will not be as strong and this can cause problems within the community.

Question 22

What is one way Sunni and Shi’a Muslims differ in terms of divorce?

Answer 22

-Sunni Muslims do not require witnesses to the husband delcaring his intention for divorce, whereas Shi’a Muslims do.

Question 23

What are the two types of contraception and give three examples of each?

Answer 23

-artificial contraception: condom,coils,pills
-natural contraception: abstinence,withdrawal method,planning sex around menstrual cycle.

Question 24

Why do Muslims prefer natural contraception over artifical contraception (3)?

Answer 24

-natural means are given by Allah.
-withdrawal method was tolerated by the Prophet.
-artificial method could be seen as against Allah’s will.

Question 25

What are two reasons why Muslims believe contracpetion can be used (and one teaching)?

Answer 25

-if Muslims are financially struggling or physically cannot cope with having children,contraception is permissible, the Qur’an states, ‘no one should be burdened with more than they can bear’
-contraception may protect the health of the mother. As Allah is benevolant, he would want the woman to be protected.

Question 26

What are two reasons why Muslims believe contraception cannot be used (and one teaching)?

Answer 26

-children are a gift from Allah. Therefore, it is not a person’s choice to decide when they should have children.
-some methods of contraception are early abortions which is unnacceptable, ‘do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you’

Question 27

What are the roles of men and women in the family(3)?

Answer 27

-women are expected to help raise children as good Muslims.
-women are free to work and have a career, if they wish.
-men provide for the family.

Question 28

What are two divergent Muslim beliefs about the roles of men and women (including two teachings)?

Answer 28

-‘we created you from a male and a female’: both men and women are needed for procreation, they have different roles but are equally as important.
-‘men are in charge of women’: shows that men and women are not equal in terms of authority.

Question 29

What are two Muslim arguments for men and women having different but equally important roles to play(2 points and 2 quotes)?

Answer 29

-Jabir Ibn Abdullah, a companion of the Prophet Muhammed reinforced traditional gender roles. He said, ‘a woman may not lead a man in prayer’, demonstrates that they are not equal as men should control and women should follow.
-The Qur’an states, ‘men are in charge of women’ showing that men are in authority.

Question 30

What are two Muslims arguments for men and women having equal religious roles to play(2 points and 2 quotes)?

Answer 30

-men and women both have the responsibility to learn about Islam. The Hadith states, ‘ the seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim’.
-The Prophet Muhammed promoted equality between men and women. The Hadith states, ‘all people are equal’. This was very progressive at his time so shows that men and women today should be equal in Islam.

Question 31

What are three attitudes towards the roles of men and women in the time of the Prophet Muhammed?

Answer 31

-the ability for women to own and sell property.
-to divorce their husbands.
-to marry someone of their own choice.

Question 32

What are the attitudes towards gender predujice and discrimination in the UK (1)?

Answer 32

-There is the Equality Act 2010 which makes it illegal to discriminate anyone because of the protected characterisitics such as age,sex, race etc…

Question 33

What are Muslim attitudes to gender predujice and discrimination (3)?

Answer 33

-Islam teaches everyone was created by Allah and is therefore equal.
-Muslims believe men and women will be treated equally and judged in the same way by Allah after death.
-men and women are both expected to marry and they have the same rights in terms of religion and education.

Question 34

What is a teaching about Muslim attitudes towards gender predujice and discrimination?

Answer 34

-The Qur’an states, ‘to whoever male or female does good deeds and has faith, we shall give a good life and reward them according to the best of their actions’

Question 35

What are two examples of gender equality in action by Muslims?

Answer 35

-Malala Yousafzai stood up to the Taliban to achieve equality in education.
-Inclusive Mosque Initiative campaigns for more equality when praying.