by Amal Killawi, April 1, 2013 Originally posted in February 2012 I spent my time at a recent wedding listening to people’s marriage problems. As the guests danced the night away in celebration, I sat…
Conquering marriage boredom
10 tips to spice up your marriage You’ve moved past that giddy “honeymoon phase” and settled into a comfortable lifestyle with your spouse. You revel in each other’s company an…
When the trust disappears from our relations
In the eyes of Islam, Trust (Amanah) has a very broad sense. The word contains an ocean of meaning, but underneath it all is the sense of responsibility and accountability for one’s actions before God…
The Purpose of Marriage
The society we live in provoke many thoughts in regards to the purpose of marriage. We see all around us that people are letting go of marriage and resorting to other forms of lifestyle. We truly have…
Couple not having children?
I have couple of questions and if you can guide me in the right direction: If a couple are not able to have kids due to medical reasons what is permissible in Islam. They have been together for 6 year…
Managing Stress Series – Anger Management
Not being able to manage your anger is one of the biggest causes of marriage breakups and surprisingly enough being angry has many physical side effects as well. Research conducted by Duke University …
My In-laws are ….?
It’s amazing that as soon as you mention the word, only ill thoughts come to most people. This topic was previously viewed in a positive light as it strengthened family ties but unfortunately today it…
What is Khula?
If a woman is wanting to seek Khulaa (female initiated divorce) due to mistreatment by the husband, does she have to give back the mahr and the non-mahr gifts received during the wedding time? Also, k…
Visual versus Emotional
Allah has created men and women differently. One of the most pronounced differences between genders when it comes to issues of intimacy is arousal. Each gender has been keyed to respond to different s…
10 Qualities to make a Husband Happy
We all know that Allah subhana wa ta’alaa has described the treatment of the spouses in the Quran as: “And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dw…
Advice to Daughter-in-Laws
At times we may feel that we know exactly what we are doing and most importantly we think that we are the best at it. That usually is not that case and as anything thing in life, we need to learn and …
Searching For Mr. Right Series – The Stupid Glass Slipper
I think I am going to make a few enemies right now when I say that Disney is not my favorite place to find “halalified” entertainment. I have, over the years, grown utterly disgusted by all of the fem…
Long Lasting Marriage Secrets
All of us have met people at least once in our life time that tell you about how long they have been married for and it shocks you. Some go to 20, 30, 40 and even beyond MashAllah. But what we don`t d…
Everything you thought you knew about L-O-V-E is wrong
My parents had an arranged marriage. This always fascinated me. I am perpetually indecisive about even the most mundane things, and I couldn’t imagine navigating such a huge life decision so quickly. …
Avoiding Suspicion & Infidelity
One of the ills that unfortunately our community is experiencing at this time is of suspicion and infidelity. Below are some steps you can take to avoid this problem in your marriage. A Daily Dose of …
Simple Steps for a Happy Marriage
Sometimes the most obvious things escape from our thought process that can bring about so much prosperity in our Marriage. We wanted to shed light upon some of these issues so you are aware of them an…
Being away from your Loved One
One of the hardest tests of any marriage is spending time away from your spouse. Spending time away from your loved one is a test that a marriage will go through, whether the trip is for business or p…
HONEYMOON MISTAKES – AND HOW TO CORRECT THEM
You may laugh, but it’s normal to slip up on your honeymoon (especially after all those months of hectic wedding planning!). But don’t let a silly mistake ruin what should be the most cherished time o…
Chores! Chores! Chores! – The Husband Edition
Once the ‘honeymoon’ phase of a marriage is over and the reality of marriage sets in, many small issues may arise that one needs to address right away before they become larger and lead to separation …
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
And as we know from before, Tina Turner put it even more bluntly in her next line of her hit song, “What’s love but a second-hand emotion?” You have to give it to song-writers: they really do express …
How to Compromise in Marriage
Marriage is about sharing your whole life with your significant other. From cleaning dishes to life changing decisions – your partner is with you all the way and a lot of things that you do involve yo…
3 Foundational things to look for during your engagement
Finding the right person to spend the rest of your life with is one of the most important decisions of you will face in this lifetime. We all have heard it from our friends and family about the neighb…
His Wedding Night Jitters
The myths surrounding the ‘wedding night’ are a source of anxiety for every guy or girl who has passed the age of puberty and looks forward to this special night. The thought of what would happen on t…
10 Survival Tips for Newlyweds
In much of the world, it is very normal for couples to live together before marriage. However according to our Islamic views that is completely unacceptable. Majority of couples live together for the …
Marriage and Other Works in Progress
Author’s note: Writing on marriage always carries a certain burden of responsibility towards the audience. The writer is never sure who out there is reading under what circumstances the apparent…
LOVESICKNESS
By no means is love a sickness in and of itself. Indeed, it is the only known cure for many of the problems and ailments that we as human beings suffer from. However, love can turn into an illness if …
Empathy in Marriage: How to Connect Emotionally with Your Spouse
We are all aware that the marital relationship is regarded as extremely important in Islam. In addition to fulfilling half our deen, marriage is a safeguard, a place to find peace, and also a strongly…
How To Have A Fun Wedding
The wedding industry, that beast of a machine, is built around selling you lots of PRETTY. Pick up any wedding magazine, and you’ll see page after page of dresses, centerpieces, favors, personalized e…
How to Deal with Differences in your marriage
Talk about them! We’re not suggesting you discuss politics or fiqhi views the first time you talk to a prospective spouse, but once you are married, discussing the bigger issues is a MUST. Once the di…
It’s over: The four problems NO marriage can survive (and having an affair ISN’T one of them)
There are four insurmountable problems no marriage can survive, according to a leading divorce expert. And just having an affair isn’t one of them. Blogging on the Huffington Post, psychotherapi…