Re: Importance of virginity in major religions
^ Ok. Lots of it of course makes sense. I respect the religion. Hence will refrain from debating pros and cons since I am not qualified.
Enjoyed the post. Well explained, as always. Khuda Hafiz.
You are welcome. :)
Anyhow, I do not mind you asking as many questions on Islam as you like, and obviously if I would find time for the topic, I would try to give answer to you as logically as possible (to the best of my knowledge and ability).
I know that 'subject of this thread' is nothing to do with Islam or 'WHY' Islam has such laws. But the way you wrote your post, I feel (I might be wrong, but that is what I feel) you have some concern and question in mind about Islamic rule, that you did not raised.
I can only guess your concern, and that concern could be, why Islam gives children guardianship, identity and recognition from father. If that is what is in your mind, than here is your answer (from my understanding)
Marriage: In Islam, marriage does not make man and woman part of one family, rather they become equal partners of each other in marriage relationship. As in any partnership or relationship, it can get broken and partners can go their own way. Thus, Islam allows divorce that gives man and woman way of freedom from each other, if they want to. That does not mean divorce is liked but it is acceptable. Human are born free and non-related humans bonded in partnership of marriage should not be so bonded that there is no way out if that partnership becomes burden on each other, and thus divorce is way given by Islam to come out of that partnership bond.
Family: According to Islam, family consists of only blood relationships that cannot be broken.
Being related by blood, children are part of both mother’s and father’s family. Allah could have made man or woman both guardians of children, but when divorce happens, such arrangement becomes troublesome for father, mother as well as children. So, it is best that even though children stay part of family for both mother and father, if guardianship belongs to one, child would find stability.
Now question arises that who should have legal right of guardianship (as children belongs to both mother and father).
Answer is obvious, that is father, because father can have children from many women at the same time, as well as bread winner in most cases.
Question arises again, that what difference having children from many women makes?
Here is explanation: Giving guardianship to mother means, after divorce, mother moving out with children and that in consequence would separate siblings (children of father from other wives). But if guardianship stays with father than even though mother leaves, siblings stay together under one roof.
There are other reasons too. That is, in most cases it is father from whom a child inherits most, and normally it is father who provides. So, if children move out with mother, they would lose out in many things. On the other hand, many women could get into financial and other troubles after divorce, and that could affect wellbeing of children, and it is also possible that bringing-up of children could become burden for woman. It is also a fact that it is easier for a woman to find another partner in life if she has no liabilities of children with her, so not having the burden of children's guardianship is preferable for woman too (in most cases).
Islamic laws may not look appropriate in some individual cases, but taking into account what I mentioned, it is obvious that in most cases, it is in the best interest of children (as well as mother) that guardianship stays with father … as this arrangement keeps siblings together, gives better financial security, recognition, status, and identity to children … and freedom to mother from burden of raising children.
[Nevertheless, child belongs to both parents equally, and right of mother in Islam is much more on children than right of father ... and identity of children can also come from mother, as the case is with Isa (AS) and linage of Prophet (SAW) through children of his daughter, Fatima (AS)]