Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Precautionary Approach of Religion Toward Family and Its Impact on the Design of Traditional House Architecture

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Aminodovleh 1
Maryam Hajiabdolbaghi 2
Ezzat Sadat Mirkhani 3
Mohammad Reza Matini Sadr 4
1 PhD student in Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Department of Quranic and Hadith Sciences, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Department of Women's Studies, Tarbiat Madras University, Tehran, Iran.
4 Retired Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Imam Hossein (AS) University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/ias.2024.445311.2349
Abstract
Numerous verses in the Holy Quran are dedicated to the subject of family and its significance. Among these, certain verses—framed with the conditional phrase "in khiftum" (if you fear)—address the sanctity of the family and its vulnerabilities. This research employs an analytical-descriptive method to examine the Quranic precautionary approach toward the family in these verses. The findings indicate that the linguistic structure of these verses, formulated as conditional clauses centered on fear (khawf), underscores the profound care and caution with which the Wise God regards familial matters and spousal relations. While Islamic jurisprudence generally does not derive rulings from fear unless it pertains to harm (darar), in familial contexts, the assumption of rational fear (khawf ‘aqli) has led to mandatory and non-mandatory injunctions aimed at facilitating, strengthening, or—when necessary—dissolving the family unit.
Furthermore, the study reveals that a close reading of the "in khiftum" verse yields a distinct model for familial relations, offering deeper insight into Islam’s perspective on marriage. Adherence to these rulings enhances the stability of the Islamic family structure, reduces high-risk marriages, ensures familial endurance, and minimizes the repercussions of divorce and separation. Additionally, Islam’s precautionary approach toward the family has influenced the architectural design of traditional homes through principles such as: preserving privacy, safeguarding familial bonds, and promoting a secure and tranquil environment for household members.
Research Objectives:

To analyze the precautionary approach of religion toward the family in the "in khiftum" verses.
To investigate the impact of this approach on the architectural design of traditional houses.

Research Questions:

How does the precautionary approach of religion toward the family manifest in the "in khiftum" verses?
Has this approach influenced the architectural design of traditional houses?
Keywords
Quran
family
precautionary approach
"in khiftum" verses
traditional house architecture
Subjects
Ahmadi, Babak. (2010). Structure and Interpretation of the Text. Tehran: Markaz Publications [In Persian].
Algar, Hamid. (2002). Wahhabism: A Critical Essay. New York: Islamic Publications International.
Amirsoleimani, Soheila. (1999). "Truths and Falsehoods: A Study of Nizami's 'Makhzan al-Asrar'." Iranian Studies 32(3): 363-375.
Arberry, A.J. (1958). Classical Persian Literature. London: George Allen & Unwin.
Ashtiany, Mohsen et al. (1990). The Cambridge History of Persian Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bahar, Mohammad Taqi. (2002). Stylistics. 3 vols. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publications [In Persian].
Banani, Amin. (1978). "Ferdowsi and the Art of Tragic Epic." In Persian Literature, ed. Ehsan Yarshater. New York: Columbia University Press.
Bashiri, Iraj. (1984). The Fiction of Sadeq Hedayat. Lexington: Mazda Publishers.
Chittick, William C. (1983). The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi. Albany: SUNY Press.
Dabashi, Hamid. (2007). Masters and Masterpieces of Iranian Cinema. Washington: Mage Publishers.
Davis, Dick. (1992). Epic and Sedition: The Case of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh. Washington: Mage Publishers.
Eliade, Mircea. (1959). The Sacred and the Profane. New York: Harcourt Brace.
Ferdowsi, Abolqasem. (2007). Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings. Trans. Dick Davis. New York: Penguin.
Ghazali, Abu Hamid. (2000). The Alchemy of Happiness. Trans. Claud Field. Chicago: Kazi Publications.
Hafez, Shams al-Din. (2007). The Divan of Hafez. Trans. Reza Saberi. Lanham: University Press of America.
Haqshenas, Ali Mohammad. (2005). Phonetics: The Science of Speech Sounds. Tehran: Samt Publications [In Persian].
Jami, Abd al-Rahman. (2003). Baharistan. Trans. Edward Rehatsek. New York: Pir Press.
Katouzian, Homa. (2003). Iranian History and Politics. London: Routledge.
Khorrami, Mohammad Mehdi. (2003). Modern Reflections of Classical Traditions in Persian Poetry. New York: Edwin Mellen Press.
Lewis, Franklin. (2000). Rumi: Past and Present, East and West. Oxford: Oneworld.
Moin, Mohammad. (1992). Persian Dictionary. 6 vols. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publications [In Persian].
Nafisi, Sa'id. (1965). History of Persian Poetry. Tehran: Forughi Publications [In Persian].
Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. (1987). Islamic Art and Spirituality. Albany: SUNY Press.
Rypka, Jan. (1968). History of Iranian Literature. Dordrecht: D. Reidel.
Shafiei Kadkani, Mohammad Reza. (2007). The Poet of Mirrors: Essays on Persian Poetry. Tehran: Agah Publications [In Persian].
Shamisa, Sirus. (2004). Literary Genres. Tehran: Ferdows Publications [In Persian].
Sprachman, Paul. (1995). Suppressed Persian: An Anthology of Forbidden Literature. Costa Mesa: Mazda.
Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). (1988). Persian Literature. New York: Columbia University Press.
Zarrinkub, Abd al-Husayn. (2005). With the Sufis: An Anthology of Sufi Literature. Tehran: Sukhan Publications [In Persian].