Sailing off into the sunset

So we have finally reached the end...

It has been quite a journey from the first date. We've looked at the unstoppable and uncontrollable mysteries of love in forbidden situations. 

* How culture dominates religion

* The intriguing aspects of online dating

* The forbidden zina

* Relationships between different races

* Teenage love

* Desires between the same sex

* Money for marriage

Some of the issues I have discussed have show how love gets us into some tricky situations. An emotion that leads to forbidden encounters, even for Muslims. At the moment an act such as dating has become so normalised that some of us don't realise the dangers that come with it. But all this should all be in the name of marriage - to complete ones deen.

On a final note I guess some would say "all is fair in love and war" but in Islam I don't think it is. Islam is based on the Shari'ah, there is no picking and choosing, but following a law of rules which I'd say cannot be bent. Yet these issues I've discussed in previous posts will always remain, I'd be surprised if there was a sudden change. 

Love is controversial... Religion is controversial = Together it reaches a whole new level

No Money...No Honey...

Mahr - A gift to the bride from the groom.. a loving, sweet gesture with smiles all round  NOT!!!

So mahr is meant to be mandatory in Islam, it could be a small personal gift based on what one wants to spoil his lady with. It's something that is given from ones free will, just like a birthday present.. so how has this changed into DOWRY? Dowry is a mis-leading term in Islam, there is no concept of dowry. In today's society mahr is seen as the exchange of money or possessions such as gold and land for the bride? How is this even being practised in Islam  today? It completely and utterly goes against the principles of Islam. What does one even say? "In the name of God... And the bidding begins at £1000?! Ridiculous!!

I may come across a little harsh about this 'bride price' but it does frustrate me. Yet it has become a norm and funnily enough even I myself am immersed in such conversation about the "mahr" and how much is going to be given. Without this a marriage does not even go through and young people and families are under pressure to pay up such a large sum of money for the bride.

Although the gift/money is for the bride, in some cases families in particular the father claim it as theirs. Some families use this as an example to give up their daughters, even those that are very young in exchange for money. This article by the guardian gives insight into a story about 8year old brides being sold!


Advocates of this system of mahr; why do you feel you should demand such a steep amount for a bride? Did the Prophet (s.a.w) not say marriage should be simple and easy?

Perhaps culture and society has made it to be like this to protect the bride. If the bride has no money, properties or savings how must she survive if the marriage ends badly? How much she stand on her own two feet if her husband neglects his rights to support her, even after divorce. From examples of alone, abused women, families and women themselves have probably sought that the this is needed to be done. For safety and security. Seems like marriage has turned into a mere business contract... protect what is yours.