While some of the new laws / changes in custom that the prophet Mohammed introduced were an improvement (such as prohibiting killing of baby girls) on existing traditions and laws, there are some that I do not understand. The following is one case where I believe the pre-Islamic Arabs had a superior custom/higher moral standard: Prior to Islam, marriage between a man and a former wife of an adopted son was frowned upon, because an adopted child was regarded in the same respect as a biological child and therefore such a union would be considered incestuous. However, this all changed when he married Zaynab (divorced wife of his adopted son Zayed ibn Harithah). She was also his 5th wife, when the number of wives had already been limited to 4. The Munafiqs of Medina called Mohammed on this union for two reasons: 1) having more wives than 4 (double standard) 2) marrying his adopted sons wife (culturally forbidden relationship) Being fully aware of both of these and how it would look, it is recorded that Muhammad was hesitant to marry her at first. But then he got another revelation: Yusuf Ali - Quran 33:37 Behold! Thou didst say to one who had received the grace of Allah and thy favour: Retain thou (in wedlock) thy wife, and fear Allah. But thou didst hide in thy heart that which Allah was about to make manifest: thou didst fear the people, but it is more fitting that thou shouldst fear Allah. Then when Zaid had dissolved (his marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in marriage to thee: in order that (in future) there may be no difficulty to the Believers in (the matter of) marriage with the wives of their adopted sons, when the latter have dissolved with the necessary (formality) (their marriage) with them. And Allahs command must be fulfilled. And conveniently, the marriage became, according to the Quran and Islam, a lesson for all mankind. As an outsider, this revelation seems remarkably convenient in its timing and self serving, and allows for the possibility of what I consider an inappropriate dynamic to occur as well between not only an adopted childs spouse and his/her adoptive family members but also possibly between the adopted child him/herself and a member of his/her adopted family as they are not true family. Furthermore, since many Muslim rulers to this day, will not allow their ex-wives to remarry at all. And according to another revelation Mohammeds wives were not supposed to marry after him to protect his honor, how do you think this would make an adoptive child feel to have a parent disrespect what should be a natural boundary? A parent should be protective of childs feelings. Not many people would be thrilled with the idea of any family member or even good friend marrying their ex. I would like to know Muslims thoughts on this and how they logically reason this out / justify it? Thank you.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:05:37 +0000
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