Pattern of Marriages and Family Structure in Pashtun Tribes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Under Islamic Context

Abstract

Allah (SWT) has made man a collectivist by nature. Man needs society to fulfill his needs. This is why humans live together with other humans and form social contracts. One of which is marriage. Pashtun tribes seem to adhere to customs while maintaining a strong sense of Islamic values that influence their marriage and family structure. The purpose of this research is to raise awareness of how Islamic teachings affect family relations, gender roles, general and social harmony within Pashtun tribes by examining the current status of these systems. This study will highlight the various marriage arrangements that are common in Pashtun culture, including exchange marriages, love marriages, and forced marriages, and will also look at how Islamic norms influence decisions about marriage. Roles and responsibilities of spouses, parents and children in Pashtun tribes will also be studied in the light of Islamic teachings, emphasizing the idea of mutual respect and cooperation. In this research review, socio-economic changes, external cultural influences on Pashtun family system and globalization will also be discussed. This study attempts to present a detailed picture of how Pashtun families adapt to modernity by considering the interaction between Islamic principles and changing social conditions while maintaining their religious and cultural identity. The Pashtun tribes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, will be the focus of this study, which aims to comprehend these dynamics from an Islamic perspective. It will also look into the existing marriage patterns and family structures among these Pashtun tribes. For this research work, information was gathered from different sources, including books, papers, magazines, sites, and so on. This study will contribute to the already existing knowledge regarding Islamic views on relationships between family units other than marriage and especially among the Pashtun tribes of KP. The study will also seek to increase understanding among policymakers, educators, and researchers about the importance of cultural sensitivity in addressing family-related issues in this area.