It is indeed disillusioning to see that marriages in our society take place due to social pressures rather than the free consent of the girl and the guy involved. Many times, the girl is forced to give consent under extreme family pressures. She is posed in a do-or-die state from which there is no respite. She is dealt so harshly, her speech and opinion is suppressed in a way that she is made to give her consent without her free will. This is indeed against the principles of Islam and Shariah, which nullifies forced marriages.
No matter, how progressive and educated the societies are; it is indeed hard to change the thinking and mindsets of the individuals. The families in our society are bent upon dominating in different ways when it comes to settling marriage proposals. Even expression of views of a female is deemed to be a sin with regard to marriage proposals. A woman is constantly snubbed, coerced and mistreated in different ways if she denies or rejects a particular proposal. This approach is absolutely wrong for settling the marriage proposals. A deeper sense of understanding and awareness need to be instilled in the society related to settling marriage proposals. There is a need to recognize that the marriage proposals should be settled with mutual and unanimous consent without inviting force or coercion. This is likely to maintain harmony and balance in establishing a mutually happy and agreeable marital relationship.
AIYZA JAVAID
LAHORE
