INTER-CULTURAL/ INTER-TRIBAL MARRIAGES; A QUR'AN REFLECTION

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDER. Yawm al-ithnayn, 27th day of Rajab 1446AH, Monday. 27th Jan. 2025).

*_INTER-CULTURAL/ INTER-TRIBAL MARRIAGES; A QUR'AN REFLECTION_*. BismilLah.

In Islam, the concept of diversity and tolerance is found many times in the Qur’an and hadith (records of the words of the Prophet peace be upon him). We find diversity in all our masaajid and Islamic functions, with Muslims from different parts of the world and of different cultures and backgrounds. Accordingly, as Muslims, it is only natural that we have inter-cultural marriages in our respective communities. However, it is unfortunate that many brothers and sisters who would like to get married to someone of another culture experience many hardships due to lack of eemaan, lack of Islamic knowledge, etc, by the parents. 

The following is a Qur’anic reflection from Surat Ar-Rum 

(Qur’an 30). 

From verse 20, ALLAH Azzawajal says, "Among HIS signs is that HE created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth]. Verse 21. And of HIS signs is that HE created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and HE placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought. Verse 22. And of HIS signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colours. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge. (Qur’an, 30:20-22). 

Verse 20 reminds the reader of one’s origin, that we were all created from dirt. Verse 21 is a verse quoted often times during a marriage ceremony or found on a wedding invitation. It is an extremely nice verse. Verse 22 highlights that the creation was given different colours and tongues (i.e., skin colour and languages).

Many people focus on love in Verse 21. But we see that this verse comes in the middle of two verses: a verse that reminds us that we are not better than one another, regardless of our backgrounds, since we are all from simple dirt (verse 20), and a verse that explains the blessings of Allah (swt) creating us all different, with varying looks, colors, languages, perspectives and cultures (verse 22).

When I read these three verses, I think of the society that we are in today; where cross-cultural marriages are discouraged or even forbidden in some of our Muslim households. Why? Because some families may think they are of a higher class than other families, or their culture is better than another, or their language supersedes all. It is a very arrogant and ignorant outlook, one condemned by Islam.

But at the end of verse 22, ALLAH (swt) distinctly mentions that these verses are for people of knowledge, people who think, and people who reflect on the signs of ALLAH (swt). To be continued Inshaa ALLAH. *_May ALLAH guide our paths_*. Aameen.