How Should a Couple Resolve Marital Discord?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I am just looking for Islamic advice for my sister. For the last couple of days, she has been fighting almost every day with her husband without any reason. She is distraught now. Please could you provide help on this?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah guide every dimension of our lives to that which pleases Him. We pray that the described marital discord is resolved swiftly.
There are many ways to resolve a marital dispute within the framework of Islam. Any permissible means that may help the situation should be pursued, including spiritual and marital counseling. The couple should both work on their relationship with Allah and their practice of Islam as a priority. Allah knows best.
A Quranic Solution
Allah says: “If you anticipate a split between them, appoint a mediator from his family and another from hers. If they desire reconciliation, Allah will restore harmony between them. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” [Quran, 4:35]
The verse above encourages external mediation between the spouses (especially if they cannot resolve their disputes with dignity). Allah encourages the couple to appoint wise, God-conscious mediators from their respective families. The verse also indicates that the couple should “desire reconciliation”, and if both above is in order, then Allah will restore harmony between them. Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
