Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
11. Success in marriage
~ 243 ~
It took not months, but years for things to change.
But finally, a stage came when she was the most
popular member of the family, having earned
everyone’s affection and respect. No better than a
maid when she had arrived, she had now become
the virtual mistress of the house.
The secret of a successful marriage is the ability to
forge bonds of loyalty. Such bonds come into being
quite naturally with one’s own parents, brothers
and sisters. They are so strong that they can never
be broken. There can be no doubt about this. But
similar bonds do not exist in the in-law’s house.
They have
to be established. The only solution for
the new bride entering her parents-in-law’s home is
to transfer her loyalty to all of the people to whom
she is now related by marriage. When she says ‘my
home’ it should mean her new abode. The focus of
her attention should now be her in-laws, from
whom she should seek support, rather than from
her parents. She must become a part of the family
and have everyone’s well-being at heart. Experience
teaches us that this is the way to make a success of
married life.
