I am writing in reply to the letter with the heading "Don't get married because you feel you are compelled to do so" in the January 2003 edition.

I was deeply moved by the letter and it shocks me that such Muslim girls are treated like this.

This marriage wasn't even forced and still the outcome was bad for the lady. I am a single male and looking to get married in the future. The most important thing for me is that I am able to treat the girl with respect and dignity.

It is very sad to come across many examples where I have seen Muslim males having the attitude that once they are married the wife is their property and they can do as whatever they feel. I put this down to ignorance of Muslim teachings.

In Islam we are taught to treat women with respect. And muslim wifes have been taught to be there for their husbands and carry out the necessary duties a wife has.

This is where the teaching is misinterpreted by males whereby they think that wifes are 'owned' and are servants in the house and that they can do whatever they want. This is not right and it needs to be taught that women are treated as equally as men and that wifes should be treated with respect and not be beaten up.

Wives play a very important role within a family and therefore they must be treated the right way. Marriage in Islam is not about short-term commitments and divorces so my message is to be 100% sure when going into a marriage. If you have a past with many ex-girlfriends then deal with the past before you marry. May Allah give us all long, happy and successful marriages and may Allah help girls who are suffering like the one in the letter. Ameen..

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