Marriage in Islam is described as a bond of sakīnah (tranquility), mawaddah (affection), and raḥmah (mercy). The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ offers timeless guidance for nurturing a relationship filled with love, respect, and faith.
1. Begin With the Right Intention
Make your niyyah that your marriage is an act of worship and a path to Jannah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When a man marries, he has completed half of the religion, so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half.” [al-Bayhaqī, Shu‘ab al-Īmān]
2. Exchange Loving Words
The Prophet ﷺ said: “A good word is charity.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, 2989]
Simple phrases like “I love you for the sake of Allah” or kind compliments strengthen hearts and deepen affection.
3. Express Affection Physically
The Prophet ﷺ would kiss his wives and show them tenderness, even before prayer. Small gestures—holding hands, sitting close, a gentle touch—carry immense weight.
4. Share Meals Together
The Prophet ﷺ ate from the same dish as his wives, showing intimacy and unity. Eating together, feeding one another, and enjoying food as a couple fosters closeness.
5. Maintain Playfulness
Aishah (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhā) narrated that she raced with the Prophet ﷺ. Playfulness removes rigidity and brings warmth to marriage.
6. Support Each Other in Worship
The Prophet ﷺ would wake his family for prayer and encourage remembrance of Allah. Couples who pray together, recite Qur’an, and make du‘ā’ for one another build both faith and love.
7. Handle Conflict With Patience
The Prophet ﷺ never resorted to harshness with his wives. He ﷺ taught that “The best of you are those who are best to their wives.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 3895]
Disagreements should be addressed with patience, respect, and forgiveness.
8. Uphold Mercy and Forgiveness
Marriage is not free of mistakes. The Sunnah encourages covering faults, forgiving, and seeking reconciliation instead of holding grudges.
9. Give Gifts
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Exchange gifts, for it will increase your love for one another.” [al-Adab al-Mufrad, 594]
Even small, thoughtful gifts carry great meaning in a marriage.
10. Make Du‘ā’ for Each Other
The Prophet ﷺ would pray for his wives and taught believers to seek Allah’s blessing in their spouses. A heartfelt du‘ā’ said for your spouse strengthens the spiritual bond between you.
11. Show Gratitude Often
The Prophet ﷺ said: “He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd, 4811]
Regularly thank your spouse for their efforts, even in small things like cooking, working, or helping around the house.
12. Use Gentle Names and Nicknames
The Prophet ﷺ lovingly called Aishah (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhā) “Ya ‘Ā’ish” or “Humayrah.” Using sweet nicknames and kind tones creates warmth and familiarity.
13. Respect Each Other’s Families
The Prophet ﷺ honored Khadījah’s (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhā) relatives even after her passing. Loving your spouse includes respecting their family and showing them kindness.
14. Consult One Another
The Prophet ﷺ would seek advice from his wives, showing them respect and value. Consultation nurtures trust and a sense of partnership in marriage.
When the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions were stopped from performing ʿUmrah and told to return, the Companions were deeply saddened. Even though the Prophet ﷺ instructed them to slaughter their animals and shave their heads, they hesitated out of grief.
The Prophet ﷺ then went to Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها), seeking her advice. She said:
“O Messenger of Allah, go out and do not speak to anyone until you have slaughtered your sacrifice and shaved your head.”
He followed her advice. When the Companions saw him slaughter and shave, they immediately followed, some to the point of almost harming one another in their eagerness.
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 2731]
15. Be the First to Reconcile
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Muslims to be the first to make peace. Even in disagreements, softening your heart and reaching out first reflects prophetic character.
