FAMILY AND MARITAL COMMUNICATION – THE MESSENGER’S EXAMPLE

Abstract

UDK 28-4

The authentic interpretation of the teachings of the Islam, based upon theoretical framework derived from the texts of the Qur’an and the Hadith and the Sunnah of God’s Messenger p.b.u.h, is a practically applicable model. Undisputed significance of marital union and the significance of family in general along with the crises which these institutions are facing today have raised the issue of living the principles of Islam emphasising the importance of communication in marriage and family. One of the main challenges of Muslim communities is protection of marriage and family from failure, calamity and disintegration. Muhammed s.w.s. is paradigm of devotion to God and he is the model of a living Tawheed of His Revelation and for this reason it is of crucial relevance to study, analyse and present various aspects of his mission. The present article analyses a number of different dimensions of marital and family communication, as the Messenger p.b.u.h. also fulfilled these very important roles in human life. The text also points to the disturbed system of values, materialism and lack of emotional sensitivity as relevant issues of contemporary world. For better understanding of marital communication and communication within a family we took three starting points in accordance with the model and the lifestyle of the Messenger p.b.u.h, without which we believe the realisation of Islamic values, in this context, would be impossible. These are: common identity, common reference framework and interaction of values. These starting points represent essential guidelines of a communication that is based upon the model of Allah’s Messenger p.b.u.h. It is important to note that without accepting God as the absolute and supreme authority, which is the essence of Islamic identity, the principles and values of teachings of Islam regarding family and marital life will not be accomplished. Communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is extremely significant in Islamic identity because it is the way to transmit the values of faith. Essential features of messenger’s model in family and marital communication are: credibility, moral integrity and inclusiveness.