Marriage and The Home
by Fethullah Gulen
The purpose of marriage is not pleasure; rather, it is to establish a family, ensure the nation's permanency and continuation, save the individual from dispersed feelings and thoughts, and to control physical pleasures. Just as with many other matters related to the basic nature that God has given to each being, pleasure is a payment made in advance to invite and encourage to marriage.
One should not marry for reasons of dress, wealth, or physical beauty; rather, marry for spiritual beauty, honor and morality, and virtue and character.
If a couple wishes to divorce, the most intelligent criteria are of no use to those who did not (or could not) get married for the correct reasons. read more.
Married to a Turk?!
by Mirkena Ozer, The Fountain Magazine
“Have you lost your mind?!” Professor Lydia cried as soon as I announced that I had been engaged two days ago to Ali, a young man from Turkey. I had offered her “lokum,” Turkish delight, the traditional treat for the occasion. Naturally, I expected her to congratulate me by saying: “Me trashegime!” which means “May you have offspring!”
Instead, she fumed: “Marrying a Turk! Bah! Unacceptable! A girl as clever and educated as you! What a shame!”
My tears swelled around my eyes and my hands holding the lokum package began to tremble. read more...
