Page 146 - DSOC402_SOCIOLOGY_OF_KINSHIP_ENGLISH

Sociology of Kinship

Notes

What are the characteristics of a Muslim Family? Discuss.

Characteristics of a Muslim Family

To understand a Muslim family clearly, we discuss their characteristics here:
1. Joint Family: Like Hindus, the custom of a joint family prevails amongst the
Muslims, too. The Quran terms such families as the ‘BEST.’ In Islam, the old-
er are considered as highly respectable. Thus, all the members of a joint fam-
ily follow the orders of the ‘Head’ of the family. In Islam, a man is allowed to have
four wives. Thus, the number of family members too, increases. In a Muslim family, there
are husband-wife, their sons-daughters and the sons’wives too, apart from a number of
relatives from the woman’s side. This expands the size of the family. The Muslim joint fam-
ily has common residence for the members, common property, income and kitchen.
2. Dominance of Males in the Family: The Muslim family is male-oriented, is established
by various facts. For example, the Muslim family is of paternal lineage. The son adopts
the family name of his father and after marriage, a woman stays at her husband’s father’s
residence. In case of property too, men have more rights than women. Man is the ‘head’ of
the family and has more family rights. In case of divorce too, men have more rights than
women.
3. Disparity in Status of Family Members: In a Muslims family, all members are not con-
sidered equal. These inequalities could be viewed on the basis of age, gender and rights.
Compared women, men enjoy more respect and rights. It is the men who inherit the prop-
erty. In case of divorce too, they have special rights. They are the ones who go on to become
the ‘Head’ of the family. The important family matters are consulted with boys rather than
girls. In the family, the father holds the first position while the mother holds the secondary
position. Similarly, the husband holds the first position while his wife holds the secondary
position. In case of boys too, the position of the eldest son is considered the highest.

In A Muslim family, the aged members get more respect than the younger
ones.

4. Polygynous System: Islam allows, the practice of the ‘Polygynous’ system and a man is
free to have four wives. Having more than one wife is considered a symbol of respect and
status in the society. Thus, this system is found in affluent families. The man is expected to
treat all his wives equally, in case, there are more than one wives in a family.
5. Pardah System: The ‘Pardah’ System is prevalent in the Muslim families, in order to keep
women distanced from men. There are curtains and blinds on doors and windows. Women
do not face men, with uncovered faces. They use ‘Veil’ and ‘Burka’ when stepping out of
the house. In the house too, there is a separate ‘Zanaankhana’ and ‘Mardaankhana’ for men
and women to stay. Prophet Mohoammed was not in favour of providing social freedom to
women. He was also not in favour of women going-out to public places.
6. Religious Basis of Family: The Muslim family follows the rules mentioned in the Quran,
which is the sacred religious book of the Muslims. The commandments of the Quran,
motivate the family members to fulfill their family duties and responsibilities, determine
and regulate their relations and help in making the family unity strong. Quran commands

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