Unmasking the Mirage: Unemployment & its Impact on Marriages in Kashmir 

By Peer Mohammad Amir Qureshi

MARRIAGE, the opulent spiritual act of commitments, unfolds in Islam as a celestial contract adorned with profound responsibilities. Rooted in divine belief, it heralds a spiritual union, sealed under Allah’s watchful gaze. Far from a mere dalliance, it breathes life into humanity’s survival, bestowing purpose and nurturing the very fabric of existence. One of the profound Hadiths that sheds light on the significance of marriage states, “When a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half.” This profound saying underscores that marriage is not merely a worldly affair, but a deeply spiritual act that brings one closer to Allah and completes one’s religious obligations.The sacred goal of becoming husband and wife surpasses the carnal realm, beckoning partners to harmonize as stalwart allies, offering unwavering support, boundless respect, and collective effort, weaving a symphony of shared endeavors.The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, illuminated the path of marriage with his divine guidance. He once said, “The most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are the best to their wives.” This timeless Hadith encapsulates the essence of marital harmony, emphasizing the paramount importance of virtuous behavior and kindness towards one’s spouse.In the Islamic ethos, husband and wife are akin to celestial garments, interwoven with a delicate grace. Such is the momentous weight that marriage bears on life’s grand tapestry that accurate counsel becomes a priceless gem for those who seek its luminous wisdom. For the divine tenets prescribe chastity, humility, honesty, compassion, kindness, loyalty, and philanthropy as foundational virtues, unveiling a path that transcends mere ritualistic fulfillment.The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, further imparted wisdom concerning timely action in the realm of marriage. He advised, “Do not delay in three things: offering the obligatory prayer when its time comes, performing the funeral prayer when the deceased’s body is ready, and marrying a woman when a suitable match is found.” This Hadith highlights the importance of seizing opportune moments in forging marital bonds, ensuring that the blessings of companionship, love, and familial stability are not needlessly postponed

Society’s distorted valuation of individuals based solely on their vocations, status, and financial prowess births a cascade of afflictions: belated nuptials, fractured unions, superficial love alliances, and even the tragic epidemic of suicides. The insightful study titled “Youth in India 2022,” orchestrated by the erudite Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has unveiled a compelling revelation: Jammu and Kashmir has transgressed the customary bounds of matrimonial unions. Astonishingly, a staggering 29.1% of its vibrant youth remains unmarried and possesses the loftiest proportion of unwedded youth in comparison to the other states of this magnificent nation, India.

Regrettably, contemporary times have witnessed an unsettling predilection for government employees, while skilled artisans, labourers, and small traders find their worth forsaken. A haunting ritual of discrimination emerges, weighing the legitimacy of income sources, the halal or haram, the eligible or ineligible, casting a shadow on the essence of genuine connections. In this sombre reality, we stumble through life’s intricate choices, unaware of Allah’s commands and the teachings bestowed by the Holy Prophet. Let us not forget that unemployment, a transient state, neither besmirches nor defines an individual’s worth. Rather, it is our collective responsibility to ensure justice prevails, upholding the rights of the jobless. We beseech Allah to illuminate our path, resurrecting the teachings we have forsaken in our pursuit of worldly gains. The pervasive phenomenon of postponed matrimony can be ascribed, in essence, to the scourge of unemployment, for myriad are the factors that obstruct individuals from embarking on the sacred journey of wedlock, be it the odious burden of dowry or the exorbitant demands of Mehr.

Furthermore, one must not overlook the culpability of the burgeoning prevalence of elaborate customs woven into the fabric of nuptial ceremonies, wherein extravagance assumes myriad forms, such as the incorporation of novel gastronomic delights in the grandiose wazwaan or the ostentatious splendour of opulent banquet halls, demanding a fortune worth lakhs of rupees.Islam completely forbids any extravagance in all spheres of life including marriages One should always remember the saying of  Prophet Mohammad (SAW) regarded simple marriages the best marriages “The best marriage is that upon which the least trouble and expense are bestowed”(Mishkat).

In the resplendent tapestry of Islamic matrimony, we uncover a symphony woven with divine threads, where souls entwine, hearts synchronize, and purpose intertwines. Let us embrace this celestial covenant, glistening with the brilliance of profound virtues, as we traverse the pathways of marital bliss, tethered by love, spirituality, and a shared vision. In this sacred communion, we shall find solace, harmony, and the resplendence that surpasses the transitory, emerging triumphant in the eternal embrace of Allah’s grace.

Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer

• The writer is a Ganderbal based columnist and is pursuing msc in biological Sciences from HNBGU Uttrakhand. He can be mailed at [email protected]

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