By: Qari Usama bin Abdul Salam
Marriage — A Divine Safeguard Against Sin
In Islam, marriage is a blessing and a means to safeguard one’s chastity. When Allah has provided a lawful way to fulfill natural desires, indulging in immorality and bad character afterwards leaves no excuse for sin. A married man or woman who disregards Allah’s limits can be among the worst of His creation.
When a Married Man or Woman Becomes Among the Worst
① Committing Adultery (Zina)
Hadith:
“When a servant commits fornication, faith departs from him and hovers above his head like a cloud; when he stops, faith returns to him.”
(Abu Dawud)
For a married adulterer, the Shari‘ah has prescribed a severe punishment — rajm (stoning to death).
Hadith:
“The previously married adulterer is to be stoned.”
(Sahih Muslim)
② Betrayal of Spouse
Qur’an:
“…But if you fear treachery from them…” (An-Nisa: 34)
If a husband or wife has illicit relations outside of marriage, it is not only immorality but also treachery against a trust.
Hadith:
“There is no faith for the one who has no trustworthiness.”
(Musnad Ahmad)
③ Verbal Abuse, Taunts, and Threats of Divorce
Using foul language, constant taunting, or threatening divorce over trivial matters is severely disliked by Allah.
Qur’an:
“And speak good to people…” (Al-Baqarah: 83)
④ Neglecting the Rights of Children
If parents fail to provide proper Islamic and worldly upbringing for their children or commit injustice against them, it is a betrayal of trust.
Hadith:
“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be questioned about his flock…”
(Sahih Bukhari)
⑤ Exposing Each Other’s Secrets
If the sanctity of the marital bond is broken by exposing private matters or dishonoring one another in public, it is among the worst traits.
Hadith:
“Among the worst of people before Allah on the Day of Judgment is a man who goes to his wife, and she goes to him, then he spreads her secrets.”
(Sahih Muslim)
⑥ Financial Dishonesty or Wastefulness
If a husband uses the wife’s wealth without permission or vice versa, or either spends recklessly, they are counted among the treacherous.
Qur’an:
“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils…” (Al-Isra: 27)
⑦ Maintaining a Relationship Only for Show
If the marriage is kept only for societal image while harboring hatred, jealousy, or venom in the heart, it is not a pure bond in the sight of Allah.
⑧ Neglect of Religion and Promoting Immorality at Home
If the husband or wife abandons prayer, plays indecent films, music, or engages in un-Islamic pastimes, the home becomes a model of Hell rather than Paradise.
Conclusion
A married man or woman who:
- Commits zina
- Betrays their spouse
- Lies and spreads immorality
- Harbors anger, commits injustice, uses foul speech, and disrespects
… is among the worst in the sight of Allah, because they do not value the purity and protection that nikah provides.
