Happy wife, happy life...

Sharing the responsibilities after marriage are very much encouraged in Islam. There are many hadiths that shown the good examples of how the Prophet (pbuh) helped with the house chores. Islam refers a marriage as a solemn covenant or agreement between husband and wife (QS 4:21).

Since no agreement can be reached between the parties unless they give their consent to it, marriage can be contracted only with the free consent of the two parties. Islam gives women a substantial role in choosing their own life partners. The Quran says;

"Do not prevent them from marrying their husbands when they agree between themselves in a lawful manner." (QS 2:232)

A successful marriage requires love and understanding. Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through becoming the right mate.

In Islam, sexual intimacy between husband and wife is more than seeking a relief from the urge of desire. Indeed, the prophet taught us that sexual intimacy is one of the charities encouraged in Islam. He said to his companions, enumerating examples of charitable deeds:

"And when one of you makes love (has sex with his legal wife) it is a rewardable charity. "

His companions were surprised and asked him' 'How come answering the urge of their desire gets the reward of charity? The prophet answered:

Don't you see that if he does the same but in a forbidden situation it would be counted against him as a sin? And so if he does it in legitimacy it is counted for him as a charity." (HR Muslim)

Taking care of each other needs is another prerequisite requirement in married lives. The Prophet (pbuh) gave an analogical example (I REPEAT, ANALOGICAL EXAMPLE) about consenting to a husband request even if on a camel back to his Companion regarding sexual demands from their married partners.

This is clearly not an edict or order in Islam but an analogy that the Prophet (pbuh) gave, to indicates how prudent and sensible it is to cater for each other needs once a couple is legally married.

Husband and wife shouldn't withhold the needs of their spouse and it work both ways. If the game of withholding starts in a family, all hell run loose. How to lead a peaceful and happy married life like that? As the Prophet (pbuh) reminds us in many hadith:

“Admonish your wives with kindness.”


Wallahu'alam