پژوهش نامه اسلامی زنان و خانواده
سال چهارم شماره 10 (پاییز 1390)

Education is one of the effective tools in the formation of an individual's personality. The best educational method is the practical methods of the role models. In this method, what is desirable and valuable is mindful, conscious and objective symbolization. That is to say, every individual emulates the model after deliberation, reasoning, rational analysis and with complete insight. This article has been written with a view to introducing Fatima Zahra (a.s.) as the best role model for Muslim women. The writer uses jurisprudential resources (Quran and traditions) to give a descriptive and analytical explanation of the cause and reason for Fatima Zahra's being a role model. The results of this study show that Zahra (s.a.) is higher in rank than all other women because she possessed virtues and excellences such as infallibility, the major wilayah and the position of the grand night (Laylatul Qadr) which put her high above other women. In order to follow her, it is necessary that we acquaint ourselves with her sayings and conducts, and carry out our obligations in all aspects of life by analyzing and deciphering the practical and scientifics eerah (lifestyle) of that great lady. Worship (devotion), modesty (hijab), continence, homecare, motherhood, taking good care of husband etc. are some of the main traits of that great role model of Islam.

Communication is so dynamic and complex a process that the majority of educational experts and psychologists have focused their attention upon it. Without doubt, many of the problems facing human society and also the reform of human behavior depend squarely on how we deal with parenting and parental relationships with children. Research findings show that the successful and efficient family is a family in which the relationships between its members are based on correct communicational principles and standards. The family is the first and most important institution, classroom and training ground for children. Therefore, it is wrong to speak about religious education without paying attention and recognizing the vital role of the family. This study aims to discuss, with reliance on Quranic verses, traditions and biography of the Infallible Imams (a.s), the criteria of healthy relationships of parents and its role in religious education and training of children. The findings show that parents are duty-bound to provide a suitable environment for their children by establishing friendly relationships with them so that the beliefs that are institutionalized in their nature may show up, flourish and develop. The principles of good communication and relationship of parents with children, the role of the relationship in education and the effects and findings of good relationship on religious education are some of the points that have been discussed and investigated in this article.

Undoubtedly, the family plays an important role in nurturing the talents of the future generation. It brings social – moral security and helps in the formation of a sound and dynamic economy; it is the center of peace, love and human sentiments. Following the industrialization of the Western societies and advent of feminism in the early nineteenth century, the said societies in the West faced crisis and went through metamorphic changes. In this cycle of change, the institution that was most affected and which faced identity crisis was the family institution with women's role changing and acquiring a new trend in the family. Feminism of various types (liberal, Marxist, radial, social and ultra-modern) attacks the traditional family by criticizing nuclear family and patriarchic authority without giving an alternative proposal. Therefore, in these communities and owing to the change that occurred to family relationships, not only is the family not strong but it is also faced with serious rivals and challenges. The rising divorce rates, wife abuse, suicide and solitary living among men and women are proofs in support of the above claim. The present article aims to explain feminist approaches and its threats. The writer concludes that feminism and Islam are contradictions that cannot be reconciled with each other. The Islamic perspective about feminism shows that the family is a sacred institution with the woman being the center of its dynamism and efficiency. God created man and woman differently because He had different roles for them to play. Although the value of human being is in his proximity to God and there is no difference in this regard between a man and a woman, they are not necessarily following the same path for attaining proximity.

The family is the first social institution in human history, culture and civilization. Importance should be attached to it and its respect should be preserved because it is a place where one's physical and psychological wellbeing, safety as well as human dignity are achieved, consolidated and guaranteed. The family's integrity is indisputably crucial to society because it helps the society survive and have a healthy environment for man's subsistence. In a divine system and according to the Quranic culture, the main purpose of marriage is to establish a family and to provide comfort and peace of mind for man to grow, flourish and attain human perfection as well as proximity to God. For this reason, the Islamic system has set duties and obligations for each man and woman. Good conduct, attracting the attention of the partner, obedience in its particular meaning and education of children are the duties shared by both husband and wife. Protection and guardianship of the family, cooperation, maintenance, providing security for the family are the obligations of the husband towards his wife. And obedience, chastity, modesty, protection of husband's properties are some of the particular obligations of the wife to her husband. The present article seeks to study the above obligations as well as the threats that may endanger the family relationships. Some of the threats on the part of the husband are: beating and tormenting the wife, irritability, avarice, excessive jealous care, impulsiveness. The threats on the part of the wife are: ingratitude, misplaced and unreasonable expectations, lack of tolerance and faithfulness to the husband.

Importance and necessity of man's training is not hidden for anybody. No school denies the importance of this issue. But the differences are in the goals and training ways. Islam as a complete religion in man's happiness, emphasis on training in childhood and knows this as parent's duty and children rights. In this writing, an effort was made to investigate training issue and its stages in Islam, parent's duty before and after birth. And some points are discussed about Parent's key behaviors in encouraging their children for performing religious deeds. Of this research conclusion is that parents have important role in their children's emotional and Islamic training and Islam gives high importance to this role and gives some guidelines for it.

The observance of modest dress and wearing hijab in front men outside the family is an important religious obligation of every Muslim woman. As can be deduced from the works authored by jurisprudents and exegetes of the Holy Quran, the limits of the Islamic modest dress, according to rational and textual arguments, is one of the most debated issues concerning Muslim women in contemporary society. Obviously, the limits of modest covering in front of males outside the family should be ascertained with reliance on Quranic verses, prophetic traditions and sayings of jurisprudents. In order for this discussion to be clarified and for us to have the necessary information in this regard, it is necessary to give a jurisprudential and exegetical explanation of the Quranic verse which says: "Say to the believing women … not to display their ornaments (zinat) except what is apparent outwardly." Given the etymological meaning of the word " hodud" [limits] which have been used for different meanings, in this article this term has been used to signify the maximum point and limit of everything. The writer concludes that the word h"ijab" and its synonyms which are widely used to refer to woman's dress is a relatively new term. In old times, the word satr, in the sense of 'covering' was used instead of hijab, especially by the religious jurisprudents.

This article discusses the West’s cultural invasion, and explains from different aspects its affect on the Family. Based on this we have considered looking at cultural invasion in terms of terminology and in terms of history. Then we explore the ways in which this cultural invasion dominates in Muslim families. Affairs like education and means of mass notification (or the media) are the most important tools the west uses to influence families. Research shows the lack of faith in God, people wanting to look like non Muslims, negation of religion from family trends, welcoming the guardianship if Satan and exiting the guardianship of God, moral and behavioral deviations and in conclusion the dominance of western thinking and culture in the family. The family’s consideration of Islam’s rich culture, the parents’ attention to the Islamic education and upbringing of their children, strengtheningh te children’s faith in God, identifying the ways in which the west influences our culture and recognizing the correct way to struggle and fight this invasion according to our society are the most important ways in which we can challenge this cultural invasion.