Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
11. Success in marriage
~ 245 ~
whether she is good or bad, whether she is a source
of worry or happiness, whether she works
diligently or just idles away her time.
Things could not be more different in the in-laws’
home. There she has no blood relations and must,
therefore, prove herself worthy of affection by the
way she conducts herself. There, affection has to be
a two-way affair, unlike in her parental home,
where affection was unconditionally assured.
For a girl, marriage is like undergoing a long series
of tests. At first she feels like a fish out of water.
But, if the parents have been wise and forewarned
her of possible pitfalls, she will be mentally
prepared to cope with new challenges. This will
make it easier for her to adapt to the new situation.
It is only if the girl is both intelligent and willing to
adapt that she can learn how to do this by herself.
A girl with intelligence and/or wise parents will
have few problems in marriage. For her, entering
wedlock is no more complicated than changing her
habits of dressing with the change of season. She
establishes a position of respect for herself through
her own exemplary conduct.
