Introduction
by the theologian, great researcher and commentator on Nahj ul-Balaghah: the
erudite Professor Muhammad Taqy Jafary:"Praise
be to Allah" and "Peace be upon our Master and Prophet Muhammad and
pious, pure and infallible huosehold. It is obvious that the importance of
establishing a family and its related means and essentials in the sacred
religion of Islam is evident enough with no need of proofs. It is this very
important status of the family that Allah (Great be His glory) in the Quran; the
Impeccable Imams or Muslim leaders in their practices and policies; and the
sages, authoritative as well as unbiased commentators have all presented the
final comments and most constructive subjects on the matter of THE ISLAMIC
FAMILY STRUCTURE.Today
what has destroyed the fundamental pillars of life itself is emergence of
disorder in the sacred family system ignoring its necessary principles and
values. Thus the present era deserves to be named“THE
ERA OF MAN'S ALIENATION FROM MAN”
which has resulted in the incurable disease of“MAN'S
ESTRANGEMENT FROM HIMSELF”. Without having the family structure reformed, it
is quite irrelevant and inappropriate to expect a healthy society and a
community capable of enjoying a reasonable social life. This book entitled“THE
ISLAMIC FAMILY STRUCTURE” authored by Mr. Hujjatul-Islam Wal-Muslimeen Hajj
Sheik Ansarian (May God support him) is one of the few helpful and remarkable
books I have seen about the Islamic family structure. I have read a reasonable
portion of the book and must state that this work reflects research and
arrangement of materials presented in such a way that it proves to be a
beneficial publication for all social strata.Among
the characteristics one may mention is its diligent researching of sources;
proper interpretation of the matter; accurate reference and source citation; the
adequate, aesthetic expressions used to attain what the author has had in mind;
and the author's faith and sincerity regarding his various researches.
Therefore, the study of this book and research on its various subjects will be
very helpful and instructive for those seeking the truth concerning the rules
and matters of the Islamic family structure. I beg God the Almighty for the
Muhammad Taqy Jafary
Farvardin 21, 1376 (Iranian calendar)
April 1997 A.D.
I
started a series of lectures on the subject of the Islamic family structure in
1984, since a need for this topic was felt in the society. I conducted these
lectures on various occasions such as Muharram, Safar and the Holy month of
Ramazan and my lectures were based on the verses from the Holy Quran and
traditions from authentic sources of traditions (Hadith).These
lectures were warmly welcomed by the people, especially by the youth, and this
unprecedented attendance was due to nothing but a display of God's blessing and
kindness Who is always supporting the Islamic religious orders. The video and
cassette tapes of those lectures which are about thirty in number were soon
distributed all over the country, and the contents of the lectures were
published in one of Tehran's evening papers and were distributed for the public.
As expected, the lectures had a reasonable effect upon families since they
reflected the contents of the Holy Quran and the knowledge of the Household of
the Prophet (Pbuh.) which are in line with man's nature and fulfill all his
spiritual and material needs.Concerned
friends and religious brothers suggested several times that I convert these
lectures into a book so that they could be better used by the heroic people of
Iran. However, the writing of a twelve-volume series on the Islamic Mysticism
taking seven years; and the interpretation as well as description of
Sahifeh-e-Sajjadiyeh taking five years and other notes together with journal
articles left me no time to undertake the task. Another portion of my time was
devoted to traveling to various parts of the country for preaching, but my
friends still kept on insisting.Mr.
Reza Kalhur owns a publishing house. His brother is a young, enthusiastic and
virtuous believer and is working in the religious schools in Qum where I am a
student.. He came to Tehran on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Fatimah Zahra
(Pbuh)- Islam's highly respectable Lady who is herself the best modelPlease
inform me of any errors by writing to Um-Abiha Publishers at P.O.Box 37185-913,
Qum, I.R.I. It is hoped that this book will be helpful for families, especially
for young men and women who have just married or intend to marry, and it can be
instrumental in aligning their family structure with God's will so that they can
succeed in this life and in the Hereafter. These lectures were conducted in a
way which included life from its beginning to the end. Thirty of these lectures
were selected whose titles appear in the table of contents. You could present
this book as a gift to a newly-wed couple instead of flowers, which will fade
away in a few hours, resulting in God's blessings in their life and possibly a
source of great heavenly rewards for you.Mr. Husayn Ansarian
First
of all we thank God for granting us the opportunity to undertake and complete
such a tremendous task. Next we wish to express our most sincere gratitude of
Mr. A. Namaee for editing parts of the book and providing us with many useful
suggestions, and for his efforts to get this work through the many phases it
must. We also wish to thank Mr. A. Tavakoli for reviewing some of the book, and
for giving us many useful suggestions. We also like to thank Mr. Mehdi Peiravi
and H. Motakef for their help in preparing parts of the typed manuscript.Ms. Morgan and Dr. Peiravi