“Human association originates from a natural impulse, which is the family”, therefore sages agreed that the family is “the moral cornerstone of human life if it fulfills its purpose under the rule of reason.” The original meaning of 'Usra' (family) in the language is “the fortified shield”, and thus the intent also extends to a man’s clan and his household, for he gains strength through them. Indeed, the significance goes even further, such that the meaning encompasses the immunity that a human must acquire from their tender age in the “shelter of their family”, that is, in the shadow of its affection, care, protection, and preservation, as if, beneath its wings, they become a ﴿perfect human being﴾ (Maryam: 17), meaning that they “do not lack any of the beautiful qualities of humanity.”
There is nothing more beautiful or more perfect in defining the origins and essence of the “family” than the noble Quranic verse: ﴿And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought﴾ (Ar-Rum: 21). This means that one of the facets of His governance, which indicates His greatness and the perfection of His power, is that He created from your own kind, in terms of humanity and mankind, females to be your companions so that you may incline toward them and find intimacy with them. Among the subtle manifestations of His wisdom is that He ordained the bond of kinship to be tied with affection, which is “the love that exists in all paths of goodness,” and with mercy, which is tenderness and compassion. Because of the greatness of the meaning of affection, “Al-Wadud” (The Loving) is one of the Beautiful Names of God, meaning the One who loves His servants. Likewise, because of the greatness of the meaning of mercy, “Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim” (The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful) are among His names, meaning “the One who is compassionate toward His servants by bringing them into existence, guiding them to faith and the causes of happiness, granting them success in the Hereafter, and bestowing upon them the favor of looking upon His Noble Face” (Al-Ghazali).
It is through this “intimacy” founded upon divine gifts, godly bonds, and the natural empathy connected to the sublime purposes of the wisdom of the Creator, the Bestower, Mighty and Majestic is He, that the atmosphere of the familial “shelter” is prepared, in terms of it being an intimate human “environment” whose goal is “procreation” and whose function is proper care and upbringing.
