In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful
Family Charter
Foreword
Family is the incubator that shapes individuals, and ensures the survival and continuity of human kind. Whereas, today’s society is in dire need of maintaining principles and protecting family bonds, so that they are not broken down and lost.
The family during this century is faced with serious issues and significant challenges that may lead to its collapse.
Human relationships are complex they are driven by intellectual and cultural difference, and they are legally connected through global conventions and treaties, which now reflect negatively on human society. This includes an Islamic society that places great importance on the family per its religious teachings. It is surrounded by a system of moral values and rules of legitimacy that preserve its strength and effectiveness.
This charter is built on general principles consistent with human nature and the heavenly laws emphasized by Islamic tenets. It is also compatible with the multiculturalism stressed upon by the UN charter.
Section One: The Concept of Family and its Purpose
Article I: The Concept of Family
The family is a social unit founded on the consensual and legal marriage of a male and female. The marriage is based on equality, benevolence, cooperation, consultation, love and compassion.
Article II: A family is made up of a married couple and children, if there are any.
Article III: Purpose of the Family, below:
3.1 Chastity between the spouses and protection of reputation.
3.2 Protection of offspring, responsibility for their nurturing and care health-wise, socially and emotionally.
3.3 Survival of the human being.
3.4 Tranquility, emotional stability, love and compassion.
3.5 Building a safe and stable society.
3.6 Fulfilling the need to belong to a family.
Section Two: Components of a Family and its Function
Article IV: Family is founded on:
4.1 A balance of rights and responsibilities between the spouses that achieves equality, fairness and benevolence.
4.2 Equality among creations, human dignity, social and legal responsibility, financial rights and obligations.
4.3 Compromise and consultation.
Article V: Family Functions
5.1 Contribution to the overall development: intellectual, social, economical and political.
5.2 Financial, physical and moral care for all its multi- generational individuals.
5.3 Striving to provide conditions for emotional stability and healthcare for its members.
5.4 The development of mental, physical, psychological and emotional ability through parenting, education and entertainment compatible with Islamic values.
Section Three: The Child and their Rights within the Family
Article VI: The definition of a child
Childhood encompasses the period between infancy and adulthood.
Article VII: A child’s rights within a family are composed of:
7.1 The right to life, survival and protection from harm and abuse starting from infancy.
7.2 The right to be affiliated with their legal parents and belong to a religious, cultural and social identity.
7.3 The right to being breastfed as long as it does not harm their health or the mother’s health.
7.4 The right to custody in order to receive comprehensive care that includes all their financial, physical and emotional needs, and this applies even if the parents separate.
7.5 The right to alimony that includes food, drink, clothing, shelter, education and healthcare fees, entertainment and all that is required by custom and habit; this applies in case of separation and is based upon the children’s needs.
7.6 The right to live under the charge of their parents/ guardians, who are financially responsible for them until maturity.
7.7 The right to protection from all kinds of harm, whether financial or physical and emotional, which includes protection from physical exploitation, illegal activity, physical abuse, human trafficking and forced deportation.
7.8 The right to be raised with sound values and moral principles.
7.9 The right to cultivate spiritual balance, a national identity and common human practices, such as cooperation and peaceful tendencies.
7.10 The right to be taught self-reliance and how to improve the soul and self.
7.11 The right to be raised chaste, safe from deviant behaviors, and conjugal relationships outside of marriage, and made aware of the dangers of such actions.
Section Four: The Extended Family
Article VIII:
8.1 The extended family includes all relatives and those with ties of kinship.
8.2 The extended family is founded on:
8.2.1 The importance of kinship, benevolence, love and compassion.
8.2.2 Provision of financial, physical, moral and social cares, especially for those in need, the elderly and those with special needs.
8.2.3 Ensuring a dignified life for those with special needs
8.2.4 Reconciliation
8.2.5 Good treatment of relatives, helping with reconciliation in case of conflict, joining them in their joys and supporting them during times of crisis.
Section Five: Family Structure
Article IX: Marriage is a legal contract between a male and female, and it’s the only foundation for a family.
Article X: A marriage contract is based on freedom of choice, compromise between the man and woman, kind treatment and mutual goodness.
Article XI: A marriage contract requires the couples to be eligible and able to hold responsibilities.
Article XII: A marriage contract includes rights and obligations that should be reciprocated and fulfilled.
Article XIII: The husband is financially responsible for his family to the extent of his abilities. Also, a wife with means can contribute to the family’s finances out of the goodness of her heart.
Article XIV: Families are social institutions managed by both husband and wife. The husband has the utmost responsibility to manage a family’s affairs within the scope of compromise, equality, wisdom, love and peaceful coexistence.
Article XV: Managing family matters is based on balance and perfecting one’s role.
Article XVI: Rights and obligations within a family are distributed among the members, and take into consideration the specialties of individuals and their innate differences.
Article XVII: Children’s duties towards their parents include good treatment, care and kindness.
Article XVIII: All kinds of harm, oppression and abuse are forbidden within a family.
Article XIX: A marriage contract guarantees rights.
Section Six: Ending a Marriage
Article XX: Marriage should be built on a foundation that lasts. Divorce is a last resort after the marriage is no longer sustainable, and all possibilities for solutions and reconciliation have been exhausted.
Article XXI: In case of divorce, the proceedings must be legal and done with kindness.
Article XXII: When a marriage is no longer sustainable, the husband can decide on divorce on good terms, and a wife can ask for divorce or annulment.
Article XXIII: During times of conflict, mediators from both sides of the family can intervene, prior to the divorce, with the intention of resolving the issue and restoring the marriage.
Article XXIV: After the divorce, its type is determined; its requirements are taken into account, and the rights of each member of the family are protected based on what is decreed.
Section Seven: The responsibilities of a nation and its civil institutions in protecting the family
Article XXV: A country’s responsibilities are as follows:
25.1 Providing constitutional and legal protection for the family.
25.2 Partnering with social organizations to solve familial problems.
25.3 Providing shelters for divorced or widowed women and their children to keep them from homelessness.
25.4 Keeping children’s best interest by maintaining their education and ensuring that their financial, physical and emotional needs are met.
25.5 Promote a culture of support that ensures the happiness, stability and continuity of families.
25.6 Motivate civil institutions to play a role in pre-marital preparations that include learning how to bear familial responsibilities. Also, establishing organizations that provide family counseling and reconciliation efforts.
25.7 Facilitate and encourage marriages.
Section Eight: Inheritance, Wills and Preparation
Article XXVI: Inheritance is based on justice,
Article XXVII: Inheritance is distributed amongst all of the deceased’s beneficiaries, and it is forbidden to keep or control the inheritance of an heir.
Article XXVIII: A will should be adhered to and followed based on Islamic jurisprudence.
Article XXIX: A divorcee or widow should wait the allocated time to emotionally recuperate, and for lineage preservation purposes.
God grants success.