Islam, as a complete religion valid for every time and place, has provided a solution to every problem and issue. Among the matters that Islam has addressed with great accuracy is marital life. Both the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa – who was the complete embodiment of the Quranic teachings, emphasize that the foundation of a successful marriage should be built upon affection, love, togetherness, and mercy.
“And one of His Signs is this, that He has created wives for you from among yourselves that you may find peace of mind in them, and He has put love and tenderness between you. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.” (Holy Quran, 30:22)
This verse clearly shows that a true and happy marriage is a means of ‘peace of mind, love, tenderness and compassion’. However, if a married couple does not find ‘peace of mind and unconditional love’ then it means that the marriage is void from its true meaning, philosophy and objective.
Positive attributes
Islam also instructs them that they should always focus on the positive attributes, good habits and strong features of each other; and always overlook each other’s shortcomings. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa highlighted this golden principle of focusing on positive features instead of weaknesses of each other, and said:
“A believer must not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.”
A fragile load
Before the advent of Islam women had limited or no rights and it brought about a revolution that established countless rights for women. Such rights paved the way for a better and happy married life. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa always advised his followers to take great care of their wives. He was an exemplary person in this respect. Once he was on a journey and a young boy was driving the camels fast, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said to him, ‘slow down; slow down, because there is fragile load (women) on the camels’.
The duties and rights
To make the married life happy and means of peace, Islam clarifies the duties and rights of both husband and wife. Islam teaches that if a peaceful society is sought, then everyone’s rights must be given and everyone must play their role and duty. This shows, from the very outset of a marriage, it has been made clear that men and women are equal, and they have been created from a single soul, and thus both possess similar qualities. Therefore, both should focus on discharging their duties properly to make their family life ideal and happy.
Two best friends
A true friendship is a strong bond between two people. Hence, the same friendly relationship should be established between a husband and a wife. This however, must be established after marriage. In today’s society, a man and a woman establish a friendship beforehand, and then get married. However data shows that such marriages have a higher percentage of breaking down.
In Islam, one marries under the shade and for the pleasure of God. If both, husband and wife, keep this in mind that they are becoming a married couple for the sake of God and according to His teachings and commandments, then such family life will become a true means of happiness, satisfaction and contentment.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta 