Being single makes us ask ourselves about our condition in relation to our religion: celibacy can prevent a certain spiritual? Marriage is a source of balance? Being single allows it to better focus on its religious practice?
this weekend in a bookstore Eastern I came across the book of Al-Ghazali, the virtues of marriage, extracted from the famous and excellent sciences Revification religion. Al Ghazali, the famous Muslim thinker we called him hujjat al Islam, the Proof of Islam. In normal times, I must confess that I spend my way when I noticed a book that addresses the topic of marriage in Islam because the issue is often treated superficially and primary. However, in this book marriage is analyzed both from a purely spiritual and therefore ethics, but also social, as a sexual point of view, while based on the Koran and the Sunna (prophetic tradition
The interest that can lead such a book is the ambivalence that may be the institution of marriage in Islam. In fact, Al Ghazali reported division among the learned of Islam on the merits and the merits of marriage: he claims that some saw as marriage allows a real increase in faith, and it goes well beyond the spiritual isolation or any form of asceticism; conversely, others believe the retreat is more meritorious than marriage despite its virtues are intrinsic. Thus, both opinions are exposed and are presented under the following headings: In what may encourage marriage and what can divert; Advantages and disadvantages of marriage
God ordered in the Koran to marry singles and the Prophet (SAW) said that marriage is part of his practice (sunnah), and whoever turns away from his custom is not theirs
It is therefore clear that Islam strongly encourages marriage order to preserve his being of any intemperance but also satisfy Sensuality and ensure its descendants
However, Al Ghazali stresses the idea that some scholars believe it is preferable to observe celibacy when the individual is unable to assume its responsibilities, to ensure a lawful existence (Al Ghazali spoke subsistence lawful but I think the term has a broader meaning and scope) and is the least serious of the three according to Al Ghazali, turn away from God in that pleasure take precedence over spiritual devotion.
Thus, Al Ghazali calls the believer or believer to weigh the pros and cons to take no hasty decision taking into account the two contradictory theories that encourage or oppose the marriage. However, the position of Al-Ghazali is much more nuanced as it considers "ideal" combination of asceticism and married life, considering that no one can demonstrate devotion without taking rest. He insisted, moreover, the objective conditions at the time of prophets and saints who have decided not to take wives because it is important to always take into account the context and conditions in order not to fall into shortcuts or misinterpretations
In sum, Al Ghazali was a man of his time, a man of our time since it also is not confined to a plate of marriage. He highlighted the importance of temperance and balance in a subject as complex and delicate as marriage. A man of our time because nowadays it is impossible to be partisan arguments of those who believed that marriage may distract from God. On the contrary, living as we do in a society where sex is law and where concupiscence is present at every street corner, we can only reinforce the idea that not to marry, it will undoubtedly away from God!
am so sorry by advance
for Spelling lack of english and i hope brothers and sisters understand what I am talking about !
