The Tenth Session of the Series of Symposium Meetings Held on September 30, 2023, at Khatam al-Nabiyyin Higher Education Institute

The tenth session of the series of symposium meetings on Comparative Studies of Ethics in Islam and Christianity was held on Saturday, September 30, with the topic of Family in Islam and Christianity. The session featured Father Domadios, a prominent cleric of the Coptic Church of Egypt, and Hujjat al-Islam Dr. Mohammad Mahdi Kazemi, the director of the Athar School, at the Khatam al-Nabiyyin Higher Education Institute in Qom.

At the beginning of the session, Father Domadios from Egypt expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the symposium. He read a passage from the Gospel about being good to others, even if they are enemies. He explained that this was the ethics of Jesus, who treated even those who wronged him with kindness, a very difficult task. The virtue lies in responding to wrongdoing with goodness, not merely reciprocating goodness.

He continued by stating that humans have three dimensions: 1- Body, 2- Soul, 3- Spirit. Each dimension has its own nourishment, with the nourishment of the soul being the connection with God. Prayer is a connection with God that elevates a person and changes their nature. During his travels to Shiraz and Mashhad, he saw people praying with a common purpose, including patients who found healing through prayer. Any heartfelt prayer is impactful.

Father Domadios then discussed the concept of family in Christianity, defining it as a man and a woman united by God with a common purpose. Marriage is based on mutual love, which is a gift from God. Love is the secret to a successful marriage. Religious and loving families produce religious generations. Couples who understand each other give birth to healthy children. Agreement and cooperation are the pillars of a successful family, and spouses should complement each other.

In the church, it is always recommended to express love to each other. Women are advised to obey their husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, and men are advised to love their wives, meaning without the man’s love, the woman's obedience is meaningless. An important aspect of Christian marriage is that both partners must share the same faith and denomination, for example, both should be Orthodox. Differences in religious practices can create confusion for their children. The age gap should not exceed 14 years, and the minimum age for marriage is 18 years. The church advises men and women to talk for up to six months to get to know each other better. Five sessions are held for understanding the nature of men and women. For marriage, two witnesses from the woman's side and two from the man's side are required. The church provides counseling to the couple for a year after marriage to help them live better together. These laws were established by the church 150 years ago. In Christianity, the man is the leader of the family.

Continuing the discussion, Hujjat al-Islam Kazemi read verses from the Holy Quran about marriage and family, emphasizing the important role of family in Islam. He stated that family is highly sacred in the Quran and traditions; it is said that no structure is more beloved than family. Imam Sadiq (AS) said that two units of prayer from a married person are more virtuous than those of a single person.

He mentioned that the Quran outlines numerous benefits of marriage, including tranquility, as mentioned in Surah Ar-Rum, verse 21: "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in that are signs for a people who give thought." The second goal of marriage in Islam is spiritual perfection. A narration from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says to marry off the single people so that their morals and sustenance may be improved.

In Islam, specific duties are defined for men and women, with each having certain rights over the other. For example, it is the man's duty to provide for the woman's expenses, which is obligatory in Islam. Traditions emphasize that men and women should live with kindness.

From the collection of Quranic verses and traditions, it is understood that the foundation of marriage and the relationship between men and women is based on love and the observance of each other’s rights to sustain the family. In this regard, the man’s responsibility is greater.