Do you know which relationship was created in Paradise? Yes! There is a relationship that was not created in this world, but in Paradise, and it is the first relationship ever created. This relationship is that of husband and wife. All other relationships were created in this world. The marital relationship is the only relationship that was created in Paradise.
In Islamic society, special importance has been given to establishing and maintaining the family system. And since the structure of this system can only stand on the foundation of the relationship between a man and a woman as husband and wife, special measures have been taken in Islamic society to strengthen this foundation.
One of these is that mental and emotional peace and the division of mutual responsibilities in the marital relationship between a woman and a man have been made the basis, and establishing marital relations has been given the status of a means of attaining mental peace. When a husband finds mental peace with his wife, their married life will be peaceful. When husband and wife are a source of satisfaction and peace for each other, the family that is formed from them will also be full of happiness. And when every family is rich with this wealth, society itself will become a cradle of peace and tranquility.
The description of love and affection between husband and wife is found in various places in the Quran and Hadith. How can the marital relationship be made stronger and stronger? Our Lord has told us this through His Word. And His beloved, Hazrat Tajdar Khatam-e-Nabuwat ﷺ, has also told us through his words and deeds. As Allah Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَ أَنْتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّؕ (Surah Al-Baqarah: 187)
Translation Kanzul Iman: They are your garments and you are their garments.
SubhanAllah! What a beautiful and easy example to explain the importance and usefulness of this relationship. Our Lord is very merciful and kind. He knows in what way it is better to explain to my servant and with what example a thing will be imprinted in his mind.
Just as we get comfort from comfortable clothes, so too do husband and wife get peace and satisfaction from each other. This peace is not just physical peace; rather, mental, emotional, and spiritual peace and stability are also attained.
Just as clothes hide our physical defects and shortcomings, so too are husband and wife those who cover each other's faults. The wife hides the husband's shortcomings, and the husband hides the wife's faults. And both, by fulfilling each other's shortcomings, become those who live a life of comfort and ease.
Just as clothes protect us from cold and heat, so too does the husband try to protect his wife from every difficulty and trouble, and he supports her in bad times. He makes every possible effort to provide her with comfort and luxury. Under the loving shadow of her husband, the wife feels safe and secure.
Dear readers! Now we read in the light of the blessed Hadith how love can be maintained between husband and wife. Our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Tajdar Khatam-e-Nabuwat ﷺ, said:
لَا يَفْرَكْ مُؤْمِنٌ مُؤْمِنَةً، إِنْ كَرِهَ مِنْهَا خُلُقًا رَضِيَ مِنْهَا آخَرَ۔ (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1469)
Translation: A believing man (husband) should not hate a believing woman (wife); if he dislikes one of her traits, he may be pleased with another.
Hazrat Aisha (RA) says:
سَابَقَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَسَبَقْتُهُ، فَلَمَّا حَمِلْتُ لَحْمًا سَابَقَنِي فَسَبَقَنِي، فَقَالَ: هَذِهِ بِتِلْكَ السَّبَقَةِ۔ (Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 2578)
Translation: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ raced with me, and I outstripped him. Then, when my body became heavy, he ﷺ raced again and outstripped me. Then he ﷺ said: This is equal to that day.
وَفِي بُضْعِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ، وَحَتَّى اللُّقْمَةُ يَضَعُهَا الرَّجُلُ فِي فِي امْرَأَتِهِ۔ (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 56)
Translation: Even placing a morsel in his wife's mouth is charity for each of you.
خَيْرُكُمْ خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِهِ، وَأَنَا خَيْرُكُمْ لِأَهْلِي۔ (Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3895)
Translation: The best of you is the one who is best to his family (wife), and I am the best of you to my family.
In the blessed life of Hazrat Tajdar Khatam-e-Nabuwat ﷺ, we learn ways to make the marital relationship beautiful and peaceful. The blessed life of Aqa Karim ﷺ is a model for us. When we sincerely act on the commands of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, then, Insha'Allah! Our life will also be filled with peace and tranquility.
Making the marital relationship strong is not a difficult task. It just requires a little attention and effort, and this relationship becomes strong. By ignoring each other's shortcomings and focusing on the good qualities, these good qualities make the marital relationship beautiful. And in this way, the home becomes a haven of peace.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to strengthen this relationship while remaining within the bounds of Sharia, and may He enrich us in this relationship with the blessings of this world and the hereafter. Amen, O Lord of the Worlds!