Taking letters from the word MARRIAGE, some qualities that can enhance any relationshship

1. FOUNDATIONS
OF A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE IN ISLAM
FARHAD KHADIM

2. Love.
Love is the bedrock of marriage, and
one of its twin foundations. When two
people choose each other for lifelong
partners, in a lawful union sanctioned
by Divine Writ, God Almighty makes it
obligatory upon Himself to protect
them. Their love is an expression of
the Divine Love, for God Himself is
"Al-Wadud" the Loving One.
A marriage, based on true love and in
fulfillment of God's writ is therefore a
taste of Divine Love.
Mercy.
Mercy is the second of two pillars of
Marriage. God Almighty tells us " And
among His signs is that He created for
you, among yourselves, spouses that
you may dwell in tranquility; and He
has placed between you Love and
Mercy" [Sura Rum]

3. Attentiveness.
Many marriages falter because the
initial attentiveness to each other
fades away in the wake of other
pursuits, hobbies and interests.
If spouses were to take enough time
to be attentive to each other, to
recognize the needs of each other and
to respond accordingly, marriage
would be strengthened.
Respect.
Respect is born not only out of
admiration for the other, but out of a
deep understanding that your spouse
fills the vacuum in your life.
Respect must include a respect for the
sensitivities of each other, his/her
likes and dislikes, your roles and
responsibilities among other things.

4. Rights and
Responsibilities.
Any successful marriage seeks to
create a balance between rights and
responsibilities. A spouse who only
cares about his/her rights only and
reneges on his/her responsibilities is
not only unfair, but undermines the
foundations of the marriage.
Integrity.
A key ingredient in marriage, and even
before marriage at the stage of
engagement.
Integrity engenders trust. Lack of it
breeds mistrust which erodes a happy
marriage.

5. Acknowledgement.
Spouses must acknowledge the
positive things in each other and seek
to remember these at times of
difficulty and tension.
At the same time, spouses must
acknowledge their own weaknesses
and seek to rectify them, rather than
to be defensive and in denial.
After all, spouses are "garments" to
each other - embellishing and
protecting each other.
Goodness & Kindness
Represented by the Arabic term
"Ma'aruf", this quality is mentioned
several times in one page of the
Qur'an, both in the context of living
together or in contemplation of
separation.
Goodness or kindness must be
expressed in every way - in the choice
of words, the tone of voice, the
sacrifices, forgiveness and overlooking
of each other's faults.

6. Expressions of Love.
Spouses must not be shy in expressing
their love for each other, in both
words and deeds.
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
modelled this expression of love by
placing a spoonful of food in the
mouth of his beloved; and even when
Khadija (may God be pleased with
her) passed away, he spoke of her in
terms of endearment.

7. Prayer
"Our Lord! grant us spouses
and offspring who will be
the comfort of our eyes, and
make us leaders in piety
and righteousness." [Sura
Furqaan]