God has created every individual free but it is our patriarchal society where freedom of women is regarded as a sin. The Quran says that man and woman are two wheels of a vehicle; without one the other cannot work properly.
When the Creator of this Universe has created every individual free, then who are these people who suppress the freedom of their fellow beings? When the Quran has declared equal rights for women and men, then who are these people who force their fellow beings to live their life under different rules and regulations?
Why is love marriage regarded as a taboo in my society? In my society, I have discovered that the answer to this question is quite simple — parents are too concerned about their siblings and their own parents’ happiness that they forget to be concerned about the happiness of their children. They don’t bother to inquire about the willingness of their children at the time of marriage. They only think that the marriage would work positively for the rest of the family if they convince (read force) their children to marry their own cousins.
They don’t try to know what their children want. What is their will? Are they happy with their parents’ decisions or not? Are their cousins a perfect match for them or not? These questions remain unanswered. But these questions must be answered when our religion has allowed the willingness of women and men to be considered while making the decision of their marriage.
Parents should know what their children want, what their struggles are and whether they are happy with the parents’ decisions or not.
Marriage is a matter of one’s whole life. It is not a contract of a few years, months or days. Due to the wrong decisions of parents, children face difficulties their whole life. They have to live a life full of misunderstandings and misconceptions.
The other reason why parents prefer marriages within a family for their children is that they don’t want to give their ancestors’ properties to anyone outside the family. They want to keep their property in their own control. To them, their property is much more valuable than their children’s happiness.
When their children show their will for love marriage, especially women, they are thought of as a stain on the parent’s ego on their self-constructed reputation.
My plea to all those parents who are reluctant about their siblings’ happiness is to respect the feelings and emotions of your children as well. They need you they and your support. You are the only support system for them. By disrespecting their feelings and emotions, you are just causing hatred for yourself. They will never forgive you for ruining their lives.
Please stop regarding love marriage as a taboo. It is the right of every individual to live their life according to their will and desire. If all humans are able to do so, it will create a positive impact on the world. It will make your connection stronger with your children. They will care for you more. They will respect you more. In addition, they will live a life as they have dreamt about it.
I am hoping this article will compel many parents to fulfil the demands of their children. They will think twice while taking decisions about their children marriage. They will think about the happiness of their children.