The primary role of a married woman is as a wife and a mother. The primary role of the man in the context of the family is as a provider.

A woman may participate in the election of a Khaleefah, she may also sit on the Majlis al-Ummah (peoples consultative assembly). She may also be a judge, a scholar or hold any position of authority other than ruling. Thus it is forbidden for a woman to be the head of state or a governor (wali).

In the West the issue of fornication and adultery is glamourised. It is the main theme of most films, novels and songs. That is in its pure form, and in its popular euphemism, ‘love’. In Islam we give no respect to adulterers and fornicators. In Islam adulterers and fornicators are punished.

‘A’isha (ra) the wife of the Prophet (saw) narrated 2,210 ahadith. These cover issues ranging from politics to economics as well as the personal actions of the Prophet (saw) at home. Most of them are taken as a source of Islamic law.

Islam protects the family integrity and thus protects society; it eradicates the scourge of adultery. Any person who has committed adultery has only two options:

1. To accept the punishment in this life, which is public stoning to death (carried out by the State), or.

2. Burn in Hell by a fire that is seventy times hotter than the fire of this world.

Islam fulfils and organises all the instincts of human beings, including the procreational instinct. Thus the relationship between man and woman is based on marriage. If a man desires another woman he should marry her. Islam allows the marriage of up to four women at one time, as long as all are treated justly and equally.

The illegitimate child born out of wedlock is completely innocent but is not entitled to take inheritance from the father as the man is not his legal father from the Shari‘ah point of view. Similarly the child does not bear the sin.