Educating Muslims for a Happier and More Fulfilled Marriage
Marital issues among Muslims are becoming extremely common. Divorce and domestic abuse are wreaking havoc on Muslim households throughout America. Imams, Muslim Social Workers, assisting professionals, and volunteers are worried about the impact of these issues on the family, the fundamental cornerstone of our community.
Despite the fact that Muslims in America confront a distinctive set of circumstances and have a different culture and path to Islam, the Quran and Sunnah include the methods for preventing and overcoming the challenges that we encounter.
Why talk about Muslim marriages, their issues, and preventative strategies?
The short answer is that divorce and marital strife are at pandemic levels both within and outside of the Islamic community. According to Ibn Umar, the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stated, “Of all the permissible things, divorce is the most loathsome in Allah’s eyes” (Abu Dawud).
Let us shine a light on this subject and go deeper into the issue.
The current state of ummah has led me to believe that a lack of Islamic education and spiritual growth is contributing to the problem. Many Muslim couples begin marriage with their own baggage, and they frequently lack the personal relationship with Allah that will enable them succeed as a married pair.
To ensure a healthy future for the Muslim community, Muslims must find a method to halt the flood of divorce and marital conflict. We must move beyond our current denial to acknowledge that, while Muslims are not free of marital problems, many of the issues we confront may be avoided by learning and applying Islamic principles. When marriage after marriage fails, no community can endure and fulfil the obligation of producing healthy children.
An Ideal Muslim Marriage
The Quran says: “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)…” (30:21)
The marriage partnership is a spiritual relationship that supports and develops love, kindness, mercy, compassion, mutual trust, self-sacrifice, consolation, and succor.
A successful marriage in Islam begins with a firm adherence to Islamic tradition and partner selection based on the Quran and Sunnah.
“They (your wives) are as a garment to you, and you are as a garment to them.” (2:187)
If a partner is chosen only for his or her looks or financial standing, such characteristics are likely to represent the grand sum of the marriage.
The marriage includes regular Fikr (reflection) and Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. Even in their most private dealings, the pair fulfils their commitments to Allah and recalls Him frequently. They consider what God has granted them and how they might better their connection with Him and so with one another.
Muslims might pick a partner for a variety of reasons, but piety is seen as the most important.
“He it is Who created you from a single soul, and of the same did He make his spouse, that he might find comfort in her.”(7:189).
The pair not only works for Allah, but they are also aware of their own and each other’s rights, duties, and obligations. The spouses respect and protect each other’s rights, and they strive together to establish a strong Islamic personality.
According to Abu Huraira, Allah’s Messenger said, “A lady may be married for four reasons: her property, her rank, her beauty, and her religion; so strive to choose one who is religious,…” (Muslim).
Furthermore, decision-making must be based on the Quran and Sunnah. Educating Muslims for a Happier and More Fulfilled Marriage
The fundamental objective, however, should be to establish and implement a marriage preparation programme that results in stronger Muslim families, which will, in turn, build and revitalize the foundation of Islamic society in the 21st century.
