Muslims` perceptions towards delayed marriage : a cross generational study of staff and students of International Islamic University, Malaysia (IIUM)

Abstract

Muslim society had remained conservative on the issue of marriage, but in recent times this has given way to modernity with its emerging challenges. In the Muslim societies today, it is not uncommon albeit to a lesser degrees than in the Western societies to see homosexuality (gay marriage and lesbianism), single parenthood, cohabitation, late marriage and resentment for marriage or non-marriage to be practised. In light of these developments, this thesis aims to cross examine perceptions of Muslims towards delayed marriage in order to find value shift between two generations of Muslims. It is an undeniable fact that with demographic imbalance and economic crisis among other things, the age of marriage has risen tremendously throughout the world. To study this phenomenon, the staff and students of International Islamic University Malaysia are used as a case study. As the population is stratified into samples of old and young generations with a total sample of 310 respondents, it is found that the younger generation is favourably disposed towards delayed marriage while the older generation is more conservative towards delayed marriage. The younger generation perceive that marrying early is not encouraging for various reasons such as pursuit of higher education, preoccupation with career, financial stability/ independence, and availability of right partner among other things. However, the older generation’s perception is in stark contrast to the younger generation’s. Their position is informed by the fact that Islam has made provision for everything and to be successful in this world and the here-after, one needs to adhere to the Islamic teachings. They contend that it is possible to achieve all those factors against early marriage within marriage itself though willing to concede that it is quite difficult with myriad of challenges facing contemporary society. Lastly, some recommendations are given on ways the two positions can be harmonised for the betterment of the Muslim society.