The Matter of parity (equality)in marriage in the sources of islamic law and its reflection on current turkish society

iiABSTRACTTHE MATTER OF PARİTY(EQUALİTY) IN MARRIAGE IN THE SOURCESOF ISLAMIC LAW AND ITS REFLECTION ON CURRENT TURKISHSOCIETYLatife ÇAKIRMaster Thesis, Basic Islamıc SciencesSupervisor: Prof. Dr. Nasi ASLANNovember 2006, 102 pagesIn this research we have tried to explore the equality (parity) in marriage or?kefaet? as a religious term which takes place in Islamıc Law and its reflection in thecurrent Turkish society i.e. the import ance given to choice of spouse in this society.In the study what equality (parity) as a term means in Islamıc Law,choice ofspouse, marriage and family with the approaches of Islamic lawyers and Islamic Sectsto equality has been mentioned theoretically. Besides the approaches of women atpresent day to to equality in marriage have been determined with this survey.Kefaet which is defined as man?s being equal or in beter condition than thewoman, who he is going to marry, on various subjects such as race, entrance to Islam,piety, profession, Independence, physical and spiritual deficiency, has been evaluated asa fact which is formed to preserve the benefits of the women is accepted by most of theIslamic lawyers. According to this, if there is no equality, woman has given a right torepeal the nuptial.The level of the importance given to the elements of equality by the women andwith the changing conditions whether they offer new conditions or not, whether theyhave problems with their husbands(spouses) or not because of unequality and their ideasabout equality being seeked for or not are the questions we have been trying to findanswers for.Key Words: Islamic Law, ?Kefaet?(equality in marriage), Equality/Parity,Marriage, Turkish Society, Woman.