“It’s time you got married!”
There was a time when I was a dashing young man and that’s what all the aunties would say. In those days, it was the guidance of our parents that led us. And if we were blessed to be in the midst of people of knowledge, then that additional advice was a welcome bonus.
Nowadays, for today’s young and budding singles, there are so many sources of advice and courses to go through to help that eager Muslim understand the importance of actually being prepared for marriage before jumping right in.
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
For an unmarried Muslim, being prepared for married life is an essential, because of its significance within Islamic teachings.
Let’s first think of the institution of marriage as attaining companionship, tranquillity, and completing half of one’s faith — perhaps these are equally, if not more, important than seeing marriage as the only God-sanctioned means of a halal union.
In the Qur’ān, Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) tells us about the divine purpose of marriage in such a beautiful way, emphasising the importance of finding a compatible partner who can provide emotional support, love, and mercy in one’s life.
As He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,
“And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts.” [1]
Times have changed
I try and put myself into the shoes of a young person today, someone who wants to learn and be ready for marriage. And while the 80s were not so long ago, it’s very different today than it was only one generation ago (when I was a mere youth).
I mean, there’s so much one can learn now at the click of a button or a voice command, stuff like that was simply a thing of the distant future during the days of vinyl and cassettes.
But with all the readily available courses, the shaykhs on YouTube, and the advice from everything from Islam21c to ChatGPT, one does begin to wonder if we’ve covered it all, and whether there is actually any more to add?
Unlock the power of marital excellence
Having said the above, it may seem surprising that only a few months ago, when I joined the Islamic Council, I realised that there was something else to add.
Well, to put it one way, if…
“Learn from the mistakes of others,”
…is the mantra to go by, then I found myself surrounded by a wealth of knowledge at the Council that in these short few months has seen my own understanding of marriage grow exponentially.
The combined couple counselling experience, marriage reconciliation efforts, and arbitration and adjudication of cases involving anything and everything at the Islamic Council is nothing less than a treasure trove for anyone wanting to know how to make their marriage work.
And to share a few facts, I’m talking about thousands of hours of trying to make marriages work; last year alone, the Islamic Council dealt with over 700 cases related to marriage.
On top of all of that, it also became evident to me that while so much online guidance is geared towards the young unmarried audience, what the professionals at the Islamic Council could offer was guidance that would equally equip previously married individuals, those that were now divorced and looking to move on, and those already in a marriage with valuable tools to navigate the challenges that any or all of them may face in married life.
What if we could incorporate all of that alongside the references to scripture?
Now that would be a useful addition to everything that’s out there already. And the added bonus for us today is that we get to hear the advice of those who specialise in marriage counselling or couples’ reconciliation. And they also happen to be well-versed in the Islamic guidance around marriage.
The Marital Mastery course
So that’s what we did, we put all of this together into a 3-week workshop on Marital Mastery, a class delivered by professionals who have dedicated years to understanding the complexities and dynamics of successful relationships.
Course instructors are set to include:
- Shaykh Fuad Abdo
- Shaykh Ali Hammuda
- Shaykh Dr. Sajid Umar
- Shaykh Farid Haibatan
- Shaykh Shaqur Rahman
- Ustadha Rahma Abdulatif
- Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad.
As Muslims are encouraged to consult and learn from those who possess expertise in specific areas, by going through this workshop, young adults can gain insights into effective communication, conflict resolution, and building a strong foundation of love, trust, and respect.
Married, unmarried, divorced — if you desire to learn about marriage, this course is for you!
Whether a person has been married before, is married now, or has never experienced marriage, preparing for a future married life involves personal growth and self-reflection.
The Marital Mastery workshop is designed to help individuals embark on a journey of self-discovery, understanding their own strengths, weaknesses, and values.
By signing up, I hope that registrants who go through this workshop of education, self-improvement, and seeking guidance from experienced professionals, can enter into marriage with a stronger foundation, paving the way for a successful and blessed union.
Book your space now to avoid disappointment
The Marital Mastery 3-week workshop is a live online event on marriage, it starts on Monday, 3rd July 2023 at 7:30pm BST.
Register now using our special Islam21c discount code ‘I21C10’ and get £10 off!
Spaces are limited, so book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. By the will of Allah, this course will be the springboard to start your journey to a stronger, blessed, and happy marriage.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] al-Qur’ān, 30:21
