Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah - Naib Amir USA & Chairman Markazi Al Islam Team
Published: October 5, 2025
The marriage challenges facing Muslim communities, particularly within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, stem from a departure from the foundational Islamic principles that should govern matrimonial relationships. The solution lies in returning to and strengthening the implementation of taqwa (God-consciousness) and truth as the cornerstone of all marital dealings.
Contemporary Muslim marriages face multiple interconnected challenges that undermine their stability and success. The erosion of Islamic values in the marriage process has created a cycle where relationships begin on weak foundations and struggle to withstand life's inevitable tests.
Educational imbalances between spouses, while not inherently problematic, become sources of tension when coupled with abandonment of Islamic principles regarding marital roles and responsibilities. This creates a perfect storm where modern challenges meet weakened spiritual foundations.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's approach to marriage emphasizes that honesty and truthfulness must be the fundamental principle underlying all matrimonial relationships. As outlined in guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba), couples and their families must "adhere to honesty and truthfulness, such that it is free from any sort of ambiguity".
This truthfulness extends beyond the marriage contract itself to encompass all pre-marital negotiations and ongoing family interactions. When truth becomes the foundation, many potential conflicts are prevented before they can take root.
Taqwa serves as the protective foundation for marriage, creating an environment where both spouses are constantly mindful of their duties to Allah and to each other. The Quranic verses recited during Nikah mention taqwa five times specifically "so that we are always inclined toward Him, and so that these relationships remain strong and never become rifted".
When spouses possess genuine God-consciousness, they approach conflicts with humility, seek solutions rather than blame, and prioritize their relationship's spiritual health. Taqwa transforms marriage from a mere social contract into a sacred covenant.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's premarital counseling process specifically addresses family dynamics and the need for couples to establish their independence while maintaining respectful relationships with both families. Counselors emphasize that "a marriage cannot be successful without prayers" and that conflicts should be addressed through spiritual means first.
The guidance states that couples should "accept or tolerate the traditions, habits and practices of both families – unless they are clearly non-Islamic". This balanced approach prevents unnecessary conflicts while maintaining Islamic principles.
While respecting both families, newlyweds are encouraged to establish their own family traditions rooted in Islamic teachings rather than cultural expectations that may conflict with religious principles. This approach helps reduce conflicts arising from competing family expectations while maintaining the sacred nature of marriage.
The guidance from Islamic leadership clearly states that regardless of a woman's education or earning potential, "running and carrying the responsibility of the home is the husband's obligation". This doesn't diminish women's achievements but rather establishes clear Islamic boundaries that prevent marital tensions arising from role confusion.
The husband must not become "dependent on the fact that his wife is earning money" as this can create "distrust" and "rifts in relationships". When both spouses understand and embrace their divinely ordained roles, educational differences become assets rather than sources of competition.
Islam promotes marriage as a partnership where spouses have different but complementary roles, both essential for family success. When couples understand and embrace these divinely ordained roles with taqwa, educational differences become assets rather than sources of competition.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has made premarital counseling a prerequisite for Nikah, recognizing that many marriage problems "start before marriage". This counseling focuses on helping couples understand Islamic principles of marriage, identify potential areas of conflict, and develop strategies for maintaining taqwa throughout their relationship.
This proactive approach addresses issues before they become entrenched problems, setting couples up for success from the very beginning of their marital journey.
Couples are encouraged to view marriage as a spiritual journey where both partners support each other's relationship with Allah. Regular prayers, study of Islamic teachings, and participation in community religious activities help maintain the taqwa foundation essential for marital success.
The Qur'an states: "And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy" (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21).
The community must actively support marriages through mentorship programs, ongoing counseling services, and creating environments where Islamic marital principles are celebrated and reinforced. This includes educating families about proper Islamic etiquette regarding their roles in their children's marriages.
The solution to the marriage crisis requires a comprehensive return to Islamic fundamentals, beginning with individuals developing genuine taqwa and extending to community-wide support for marriages built on these principles. When marriages are established on the foundation of God-consciousness and truth, they become sources of spiritual growth and worldly success for both spouses and their families.
As emphasized in Islamic teachings, when couples demonstrate taqwa in their relationship, "Allah the Almighty will provide a solution to the problem" and create means for their success. The Qur'an states: "And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect" (Surah At-Talaq 65:3).
The key lies not in abandoning Islamic principles to accommodate modern challenges, but in strengthening our commitment to these timeless teachings while thoughtfully addressing contemporary realities within the framework of taqwa and divine guidance.
Restoring taqwa as the foundation of Islamic marriages requires a comprehensive approach that addresses individual spiritual development, family dynamics, community support, and adherence to divine guidance. When couples and communities commit to these principles, marriages become sources of spiritual growth, worldly success, and divine pleasure.
The path forward is clear: return to the timeless wisdom of Islamic teachings, strengthen our commitment to taqwa, and build marriages on the solid foundation of God-consciousness and truth. In doing so, we create not only successful marriages but also stronger communities and a more righteous society.
Allahu A'alam
