EARLY MARRIAGE IS AN ANTIDOTE TO ILLEGAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE YOUTHS, A CASE STUDY IN ILORIN SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ABSTRACTS
This research work focused on early marriage as an antidote to illegal relationship (premarital sex) among the youth, Ilorin south Local Government Area of Kwara State. Premarial sex is an isssue which most people r1efuse to talk about. It is sadly, still in a Muslim society, premarital sex is no more recognised as a forbidden fruit. Illegal relationship involves the various sexual activities performed by unmarried individuals. Illegal relationship is considered a major sin in Islam. Each society, however, iterprets sexuality and sexual activity in different ways. Aruond the world, especially …Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, there are different attitudes towards various aspects relating to sexual behaviour such as premarital sex, homosexuality, age of sexual consent, masturbation etc. In olden times, people’s view on sexuality and sexual behaviour were influenced by religion, but today, these views are mostly socialized. Through this research work, it has been discovered that the instances of premarital sex has increased over the years. Thus, this research work intends to prove that early marriage can serve as an antidote to premarital sex among the youth of Ilorin south Local Government Area of Kwara State.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background to the study
1.2 Objectives of the study
1.3 Focus of the study
1.4 Scope of the study
1.5 Research methodology
1.6 Literature review
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 History of Ilorin South L.G.A
2.1.1 Creation of Ilorin south L.G.A
2.1.2 Ilorin south Local Government Districts and wards
2.2 Population of the people of the Local Government
2.3 The people and Occupation
2.4 Work cited
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Marriage Definition
3.2 Types of marriage
3.3 Islamic Legal Status of Marriage
3.4 The prohibited Degree of Marriage
3.5 Marriage with Non-Muslims
3.5.1 Marriage with the people of the Book (Ahl-kitab)
3.5.2 Marriage with polytheists
3.6 The Concept of Early Marriage in Islam
3.6.1 Importance and values of Early Marriage
3.6.2 Young marriage of Aisha (RA); an evidence of Early Marriage
3.6.3 The Significance of Early Marriage
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Introduction
4.1 The Practice of Early marriage in Ilorin south
4.2 Defects in the Marriage practices of Ilorin South
4.2.1 Solutions to the defects of the marriage Practice in Ilorin South
4.2.2 The Role of Early Marriage in Minimizing Social Vices in Ilorin South
4.3 Early Marriage as an antidote to Illegal Relation in Ilorin south
4.4 The Importance of Early marriage as antidote to the recurrence of unwanted pregnancy in Ilorin south
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Summary
5.3 Recommendations
References
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
According to the definition given by Encyclopedia Britannica, marriage is a legal and social sanctioned union usually between a man and woman1. From Advance Leaner’s dictionary of the English Language, marriage is a legally accepted relationship between a woman and a man in which they live as husband and wife.2 In Islam, marriage is a legal union which constitute a social contract between a Muslim man and Muslim woman, or the women of the people of the book (Ahlul-kitab).3 Similarly, Islam views marriage as a social contract between male and female to become husband and wife in order to legalize sexual intercourse for the purpose of procreation of offspring.4
Islam; a strong advocate of marriage recommends that, marriage should be done at an early stage of life. Therefore, early marriage on the other hand, is a kind of marriage which takes place soon after the age of puberty with the availability of both physical and mental maturity base on the capacity of both spouses in order to fulfill sexual desire and procreation of offspring in a legal manner. Islam has strongly emphasized that people should marry as early as possible.
The noble prophet (pbuh) said: “The best people of my Ummah are those who get married and have chosen their wives and the worst of my nation are those who kept away from marriage and are passing their lives as bachelors.”5
Islam as a divine religion endeavors its followers to keep sex within the frame work of human needs and elevates it above the savage and uncivilized way. This is in accordance to the teachings of prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, the only acceptable way of sexual satisfaction in Islam is through lawful marriage. Similarly, Islam urges Muslims to seek Marriage and encourages them to practice it at an early stage so as to eradicate premarital sex.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This researh work has certain objectives which include the following:
1. To ascertain the stand that Islam has provisions for everything especially the recommendation of early marriage as a divine way of combating illegal relationship among the youth.
2. To establish a conservative and religiously commited enviroment which is connected to Allah and to stop the extreme desires which are the promoters of immorality in our society.
3. To make the parents or guardians understand that the marriage of their daughter must not be delayed whenever a proposal is recieved from a compatible man of her status who is of sound religion (Islam) and character.
4. To show that fornication and adultery leads to the destruction of life, properties and even the muslim society at large as a result from the anger of Allah (SWT) upon the people.
5. To create an awareness on the harmful effect of premarital sexual activities among the youths.
6. To exhibit the important and values of early marriage in combating social vices in our society.
1.3 FOCUS OF THE STUDY
This research work focuses on early marriage as an antidote to illegal relationship (premarital sex) among the youth in Ilorin South L.G.A of
Kwara state. The wisdom of marriage, marriage in Islam, early marriage as an antidote to illegal relationship among the youth, consequences of adultery and fornication are not left out. The major focus of this research work is to exhibit the danger of delayed marriage coupled with harmful effect of fornication among the youths as it leads to the destruction of life, properties, dignity and even the society at large.
The need to aceept early marriage as the only divine solution to social vices among the contemporary muslims such as premarital sex, unwanted pregnancy, illegal marriage etc are also focused.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research shall lay emphasis on the three major religons and belief systems in Nigeria to which marriage is common. These are Islam, Christianity, and Traditional religion with a view to examine their marriage potentials. The study shall cover such areas like marriage concept, types of marriage, marriage as form of worship, celibacy; an unIslamic practice, history of Ilorin South L.G.A of Kwara State, early marriage in Islam, early marriage as an antidote to illegal relationship among the youth, important and values of early marriage, early marriage as a means of cubbing social vices in our society etc. The research argues that early marriage is an antidote to illegal relationship among the youths especially to Ilorin South and generally to the muslim ummah.
1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research work is library based research. Both primary and secondary sources will be explored. Similarly, relevant researches on the internet, books, news papers, journals, articles, on the current state of marriages will not be left out.
1.6 LITERATURE REVIEW
Below are some of the books consulted during the course of this research work:
1. DOI, AbduR Rahman I. (1982) “Shariah: The Islamic Law”. This book devoted the whole of chapter six and seven in discussing the purpose of marriage, the status of marriage, celibacy, and prohibited degree of marriage. I relied on this book in discussing the prohibited degree of marriage and the Islamic rulings on marriage.
2. Temitope Yusuf N. (2011): “The importance and implication of early marriage in Islam”. A project work submitted to the department of Islamic Studies, Al-Hikmah Universty, Adewole, Ilorin. In chapter three of this project, concept, virtues and implication of early marriage in Islam, and importance of early marriage as a solution to the recurrence of unwanted pregnancy are being discussed. I used this project in discussing early marriage as a panacea to the recurrence of unwanted pregnancy among the youth of Ilorin South LGA, though Ilorin South is not covered in the said project.
3. Al-Qardawi Yusuf. (1998); “the Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam”, The book devoted the whole of chapter three in discussing: the prohibition of approaching Zina, looking with desire at the opposite sex, the prohibition of looking at the Awrah of others, sexual pervasion, and a capita sin. I consulted this book when discussing the prohibition of looking at the opposite sex with desire. Though the book does not discuss premarital sex in particular but contains most prohibited acts in Islam.
4. Omolara Brimah H. (2012): “The role of early marriage in minimizing social vices among the contemporary Muslims”. A project submitted to the department of Islamic Studies, Al-Hikmah Universty, Adewole, Ilorin. The project discuses in chapter three: the practice of early marriage in Islam, the practice of early marriage in Ilorin and the role of early marriage in minimizing social vices in Islam. I relied on this book in discussing early marriage and how it stands as a panacea in combating premarital sex among the youths of Ilorin South LGA of Kwara State. Though, the book uses Muslim society at large as a case study.
5. Rizvi Sayyid M. (2008): “Marriage and morals in Islam”. This book devoted the whole of chapter one in discussing; the western sexual morality, Christian sexual morality, the victoria era, the sexual revolution while its chapter two discusses Islamic sexual morality. I relied on this book in discussing the western ideology which are in imitation in Ilorin South.
6. R. squires Abdur R. (N.D); “the young marriage of ‘Aisha”. The book
discusses in its chapter two and three; the Islamic evidences of ‘Aisha‘s marriage and prophet’s marriage in perspective. I solely relied on this book in discussing the young marriage of ‘Aisha as an evidence for early marriage in Islam.
7. S. Abdull Siraje (2012) “the Islamic preventive measures on premarital teen sex”; a religious model, Academic Research international. The book discusses in page 433-441 the Islamic preventive measures on premarital teen sex. I solely relied on this book in discussing the Islamic methods of combating premarital sex.
CONCLUSION
This chapter explored the definition of marriage from different perspectives. I have examined the meaning of marriage as a legal and social sanctioned union usually between a man and a woman.6 Islam views marriage as is a legal union which constitute a social contract between a Muslim man and Muslim woman, or the women of the people of the book (Ahlul-kitab).7 I have also examined the objectives of this research work. It is aimed at creating awareness on the harmful effect of premarital sexual activities and the need to take early marriage as a solution in combating illegal sexual intercourse among the youth of Ilorin South LGA of Kwara State.
This research work comprises of five chapters. Chapter one covers background to the study, objectives of the study, focus of the study, scope of the study, research methodology and literature review. Chapter two contains the history of Ilorin South Local Government. Chapter three entails Marriage Definition, Types of marriage, Islamic Legal Status of Marriage, The prohibited Degree of Marriage, Marriage with Non-Muslim, Culture and Marriages, Celibacy; an Un-Islamic Practice, The Concept of Early Marriage in Islam, Importance and values of Early Marriage, Young marriage of Aisha (RA); an evidence of Early Marriage and The impact of Early Marriage. Chapter four comprises The Practice of early marriage in Ilorin south, The Role of Early Marriage in Minimizing Social Vices in Ilorin south, Early Marriage as an antidote to Illegal Relation (premarital sex) in Ilorin south, The Importance of Early marriage as antidote to the recurrence of unwanted pregnancy in Ilorin south and chapter five involves Summary, Conclusion, Recommendations and References.
WORK CITED
1. Andreas Köstenberger J. (2002) “Matrimony” The new Encyclopedia Britannica. 8th Ed.
2. Kingx Best. (2005): “Advance Learner’s Dictionary”. 2nd edition, Cambridge, UP.
3. Omolara Brimah H. (2012): “The role of early marriage in minimizing social vices among the contemporary Muslims”. Pg. 19-45
4. Ibid, pg. 20.
5. Muhammad Abdullah H. (2009) “Mustadrakul Hakim”, Vol.2, p 531
