The Purpose of Marriage in Islam and Christianity: A Comparative Study of Hadiths and the Teachings of St. Augustine

Abstract

From the study the following knowledge was gained: For Christians and Muslims-marriage originates from God as a means to complement the opposite sexes in psychological and physical comfort. Marriage is also a means of gaining spiritul blessings.  In the hadiths, the Prophet command all Muslims to marry and produce children to populate the lands. - In Augustine’s text, virginity ranked higher than marriage in God’s kingdom. Christ was an example of a celibate priest who dedicated his life in doing pastoral mission on earth according to the will of the Father in heaven.  In the hadith marriage between two opposite sexes can be contracted anywhere without no specific religious ceremony, however, the presences of atleast two witnesses is required. - In Augustine’s text, marriage is a sacrament that can only be contracted in the church before a priest, and with a solemn vow of faithfulness.  In the Hadith, a sane man could divorce his wife and vice/versa if either of the partner fail to satisfy the other. - In Augustine’s text, marriage is indissoluble. Even in bad times couples cannot separate from each other for whatsoever reason.  Islam permits polygamous marriage, a kind of practice that allow men to marry upto four women at a time. - In Augustine’s text, a man and a woman are sacramentally bound together in marriage untill death seperate them.  In the Hadith a man may have concubines e.g., sexual relations with his slave woman. - In Augustine’s text, a man can only have one sexual partner e.g., his wife only.