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Marriage and Other Works in Progress

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Author’s note: Writing on marriage always carries a certain burden of responsibility towards the audience. The writer is never sure who out there is reading under what circumstances the apparently sage and often flippant “advice”.

This here then is my disclaimer: All of what I say applies only to your every day, run of the mill reasonably happy marriages between two good people. Any and all of the below is complete garbage if there is infidelity, criminal activity, haraam tendencies or genuine physical, emotional or sexual abuse taking place in a marriage.

No amount of positivity, good intentions or light heartedness can remedy unions damaged by these things, except by the Will of Allah. May He protect us all from the fitnah of difficult marriages and bless our good unions with His Mercy.

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Drama Mama

 

We were supposed to be in Istanbul. That was the plan. We were last there in the first year of our marriage and the pact had been to return in the tenth year. Except, we plan and Allah plans and He is the Best of Planners. So now Hums lives in Dubai for work and I am in Karachi with the kids and the ten year mark came and passed a couple months ago in as ordinary a fashion as most of the days preceding.

Nevertheless, to commemorate this supposedly momentous occasion somehow, I brewed myself a cup of Turkish coffee and sat down to write the first ten things which come to mind that I consider knowledge earned in the last ten years. Nothing says love like a list, don’t you think? So! Bismillah!

  1. Rinse, rest, repeat

Many a things are made better or cured completely by a few tears, a little sugar, a long shower, a good night’s sleep or, ideally, all four. You know how everyone says don’t go to sleep angry? I say boo to that. A smarter strategy: Cry in the shower, eat some chocolate, head to bed. Do not stay up to fight. Anger + sleepy fatigue = Bad news. It much wiser to call timeout, establish a temporary peace on whatever the issue of the hour is so that there are no angels cursing you all night and go to sleep.
In the morning, the sun will stream through the windows and through the dark recesses of your mind, and everything will seem brighter. You might just pick up where you left off but there is also a really good chance that you can’t be bothered any more and would much rather concentrate on the scrambled eggs with chives that you’ve just cooked up.

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  1. Expect the unexpected

Marriage is a lot like parenting in that it’s always something new. In parenting, just when you have mastered the infant stage, your child becomes a toddler. Just when you figure out the basics of bedtime routines and potty training, your kid turns around and tells you he wants to major in Theories and Subcultures of Aztec Dance.
Marriage is exactly the same. Odd and unpredictable. Every couple is forever a work in progress. The spouses will grow and evolve as individuals and the only job of the marriage is to make sure that growth is, on the balance, more towards each other than apart.

In my own marriage, Hums has been a surprise to me at every single turn of our life together. There’s been many disappointments. But I keep the faith because the surprises haven’t been all bad. After years of buttering his toast and making sure his shirt collar was ironed just so, I had boxed him into the tidy category of “good hearted, slightly feudal, blissfully unaware of feminism and the ensuing equality of the sexes and division of household chores that entails”, to my utter disbelief and unbridled joy, one fine morning in our seventh year, Hums turned around and began making me dinner every Friday and Saturday night. That he, with his roasted fennel stuffed sea bass, and perfectly fluffy crème brulees, turned out to be a far superior cook than I had ever been, was the icing on a very sweet cake and has definitely brought us closer. I mean, how could it not?!

  1. You are far too complicated for one person 

The ideal soul mate spouse is one who shares every interest, gets every joke, hangs on to every word that drops from our rosebud lips, wants to spend every waking minute with us and fervently desires for us every last exact thing that we desire for ourselves no matter to what personal cost. Unfortunately, the actual spouse is too busy flossing his teeth while watching a televised sport you loathe and Whatsapping a friend you consider totally lame to pay much attention to your totally hilarious chicken joke.

Marrying Hums gave me a partner, a provider, a dinner buddy, a shopping bag carrier, a weekend movie companion and my most favorite secret keeper. We’ve really nailed the being each other’s garment. But there’s lots and lots it didn’t give me because there’s no such thing as one soul mate.

My soul (and anyone’s soul) is too multi faceted for any one person to satisfy. Fulfilling every part of my personality is too great a burden for one person to bear. Hums fills the husband shoes pretty okay. But thankfully, I’ve got my siblings and cousins and friends and professional colleagues for everything else. God is Great.

 

dubaimall

 

  1. Love is a language

And just because you’re living together doesn’t mean you speak the same language. I spent the early days of my marriage wondering if I would ever get the grand gestures and surprise gifts that felt to me the epitome of romance. Now, I relish Hums’s small expressions of tenderness and I derive great satisfaction from knowing that only I am privy to his careful and particular demonstrations of thoughtfulness. He has his own way of speaking love and through time, I have learned to listen, to distinguish his vernacular from the noisy chatter of my own expectations.

Marriage demands you be willing to accept love in the way it is offered and give it in the way that it desired and meet halfway between expectations and abilities. Sometimes you will be lucky and the way you want love is the way your spouse gives love but more often, over the years you slowly craft your own gibberish and with practice, it becomes the sweetest song you ever did hear.

  1. Look at the bigger picture

The trick to surviving and thriving in your marriage is to always take the long view, not the immediate one.

There have been days in which I have spent a good hour or so of my life imagining, in great detail, life without Hums. Sometimes, because, if he hasn’t answered three of my phone calls, I am convinced he is lying dead on the side of the highway somewhere. But other times, because after a particularly tense conversation, I decide I want to leave him. I tell myself, Allah is my witness, life with this man is completely unbearable, he has never once understood me, I am far better off alone, living and working on my art, in some secluded little town in the south of Spain where nobody knows my name and they refer to me as that “mysterious woman writer with the sad eyes and brave smile.” A couple of hours after chalking out an elaborate exit plan, complete with dramatic grabbing of the passport and sweeping out the door without a backward glance, Hums comes home, pats my hand like an absent minded professor, winking as he compliments the chicken curry, and with a whoosh, I am back, physically, emotionally and spiritually, thanking Allah that the overly zoomed in moment has passed and no life altering decisions had been taken in it.
raindance

 

When I keep my eye on the bigger picture under formation, I know Hums and I have joked and laughed and jumped around in the pouring rain. We’ve been to Umrah and every Muslim wife knows that their man in an Ihram, standing, at night, under the glittering lights of the Haram courtyard is a heartwarming sight that can fill you up with gratitude for days. We’ve held hands lightly, barely grazing palms, while strolling through parks and we’ve held hands tightly, almost crushing each other’s bones, when the doctor diagnosed our son with multiple delays, when our daughter went in for eye surgery, when the news came that my father was seriously unwell.

In all reasonably functional marriages, the good times far, far outweigh the bad times but that clarity only comes with stepping back from the canvas of your life and gazing, awestruck, at the masterpiece that is slowly taking shape.

  1. Dua helps and heals

Even if your duas are not answered, in a way or shape that you prefer, there is something creatively self fulfilling about the very act.

When you let yourself be weak and you empty out your heart in dua, your heart feels full and strong again. When your heart feels full and satisfied after dua, you remember that only the remembrance of Allah, not your spouse, can give your heart satisfaction. Thus you remember Him more. Praying for my marriage has made me more appreciative of it. Praying for Hums has made me more grateful for his presence in my life. Feeling grateful and appreciative has made me pray more and happily so.

It’s a lovely little circular thing which grows bigger in scope over time and great for any marriage. A little dua every day keeps the doctor, the doldrums and the desperate desire to escape away.

  1. All conversations are not created equal

Contrary to what most people advise about talking it all out, I don’t think that every conversation needs to be brought to it’s reasonable and complete conclusion. Some things are better left unsaid.

Ten years of being missus to the very quiet Hums has shown me the power of the unuttered. Many, many things self resolve. Situations that seem concrete often turn out theoretical. Talking about the what-ifs, the future, anything but the precise present moment can sometimes be a great bonding exercise and other times a ticking bomb best left untouched. Learning to recognize the difference took me the better part of ten years but I’m glad I’m finally there.

  1. Sex: Don’t take it too seriously

It is a strange beast and it is adept as a shape shifter. The sexual intimacy in your marriage can be awesome and it can be bad. It can bring you together and it can tear you apart. It can be a constant, steady feature of your marriage, say, twice a week, every week and then bam, you have a baby and a killer episiotomy and it vanishes for months, disappearing without a trace, acting for all practical purposes as if it has never existed.

The only way to always come back into your sexual groove as a couple, is to not take any of it too seriously. Don’t let its shape shifting abilities pull a fast one over you. Laugh off the mishaps and misunderstandings, forgive the miscommunications and misdemeanors and try again. Sex is a highly essential and integral part of a healthy, happy marriage, extremely important to the sanity and stability of the individuals and the couple, powerful in it’s ability to aid reconciliation and heal growth, but at the end of the day, it’s just sex. Shrug it off and try again.

  1. One or two common interests is plenty

It takes two to tango, they say, but what they don’t say is that sometimes you can each dance to a different beat and still be in perfect harmony.

Hums and I are as different as night and day. On most things, our views are worlds apart and this may have a lot to do with the fact that we were born and raised worlds apart. But we both love good food and American politics and we’d both rather spend money on books than anything else and these few shared interests have given us ten years of great meals, terrific conversations and a book collection to be proud of, even at a time when we didn’t have enough money to pay the grocery bills. On common interests we are seamless, on separate interests we’ve each found our own outlets.

Home is where our stories begin but they don’t need to always end there. A far richer narrative is created when each of the spouses bring their own voice to the table.

home

  1. Ten years is nothing

A couple of years before I got married, I was at a bridal shower where there was a short talk on marriage by the bride’s very learned old aunt. One of the women present remarked that she had been married for ten years and felt very experienced herself and the aunt replied with a gentle laugh, “Ten years? Ten years is nothing. You need about forty years of marriage to really understand yourself and the other person.” At the time, I recall, sniffing a little disdainfully. What was this lady going on about? Ten years was an absolute lifetime with a person. I imagined myself being married for ten years and I could see the wisdom and experience practically dripping off of me. Well, now, I’ve been married for ten years and the only true knowledge that I have is: Ten years is nothing.

The last decade has been a blur of work and babies and diapers and figuring out how to work in order to afford all those diapers for all those babies. The years with Hums have rushed by and some days, when my heart is feeling particularly tender and his hair is looking particularly salty and not so peppery, I experience a sudden choking. Did we miss it all because we were just too busy? Did I allow myself to sideline the chemistry between us? Did I let the crying children drown out his voice, the voice of this man that I am, at this very moment, feeling so madly in love with? Verily by the passage of time we have been at a loss! How can I do better by him? Oh, I must do better by him, I must! A couple more of these grandly regretful thoughts and I find myself getting misty eyed and nostalgic. Only when Hums grumbles something about his undershirts always missing from the drawer and can I ever remember the laundry, do I roll my eyes and tell myself to calm down.

Because, even as I secretly vow to do better, I remind myself of the Will of Allah and how it can manifest in ways that can be so surprising. There’s so much ahead that I don’t know yet about our life together and Hums as a person.

dignity (1)

Even though we’ve been together ten years, I am just getting to know this man. I know how he was as a young man in his twenties trying to figure out his new bride. I know how he was in his early thirties as a father to three young kids. I know how he was recently during a period of long unemployment. I don’t know if he will have a midlife crisis in a few years time. I don’t know how he will be when its time for the kids to go to college. I don’t know how he will be when one of us loses a parent or is struck with a life changing illness. He is, like me, like us, a work in progress. There’s so much about him I don’t know. Every day is a brand new introduction.

Which is precisely the beautiful, God-given gift of marriage: Forgiveness. Every day, you wake up in the morning and you turn and see the same face beside you, offering in its constant and loyal presence, redemption from all the flukes, foibles and follies of the day before. Every day is another opportunity to start over, to get it right, to reaffirm that who you were as a couple the previous day doesn’t have any implication on who you can be today. Your happy marriage can begin the very morning, the very moment you choose it to. Allah is Al-Kareem and how awesomely generous of Him to give us these second chances, all these fresh opportunities to create better, wiser, lists and litanies of what makes for a happy marriage. What a gift.

You know, I wasn’t very nice to Hums yesterday. We didn’t end the day on the best of notes. But today? Today our song, our story, our work of art, is going to be so beautiful.

Because, we’re still alive and together. Alhumdulillah. We’re still growing as a couple, in love and with love. MashaAllah. And the years behind us may have rushed past, but the years ahead stretch before us with possibility and potential. InshaAllah.

Hiba Masood is a writer, speaker and teacher. You can read her daily on www.facebook.com/etdramamama

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Hiba Masood is the founder and CEO of dearMuslimkids.com, an educational platform to help Muslim children learn the Quran and Sunnah through authentic scholarship. She is also the author of Drummer Girl (Daybreak Press). You can find more of her work on her website and on her Instagram at @hibamasood

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. Francis

    February 24, 2016 at 3:21 PM

    This is a fantastic insight, thanks for pouring out your thoughts.
    So much of what you wrote is spot-on, I’m glad you took the time to put words to feelings and experiences that most marriages go through and are unsure of “is it just us”
    It’s also interesting hearing the different perspective from a cultural point of view. Your expectations of what you want from Hums romantically are traditional, however I find many western women, particularly those under 30 have expectations that sadly are almost delusional.
    All the best on your future!

    • Saadiya

      February 25, 2016 at 2:08 AM

      I love this so much:) its amazing how our expectations of marriage differ so greatly from what marriage really is.. All we can do is try our best everyday and leave the rest to Allah swt.. JazakAllah khair for an awesome article, may Allah swt bless and protect all our marrriages

    • Diana

      February 25, 2016 at 10:33 PM

      Hi,
      I disagree with you opinion that the author has a “traditional” view of romance. She actually started the article by saying that everyone wants a spouse who is perfect and lovely and unconditionally loving. Also, judging by her writing style, I would bet that she did grow up in a “western” culture.

      And even if some “western” girls may have “delusional” views of marriage, most of us are human beings just like everyone else. We all want to be loved, accepted, cared for, cherished, etc. It isn’t a delusional desire but a human one.

      • Test

        March 1, 2016 at 8:07 AM

        TEST Just want to see how this comment section works

  2. Umm Ibrahim

    February 25, 2016 at 4:24 AM

    Oh my God!!!
    Reading this, every but of it, was like my brain yelling at me: “I told you so! I was right afterall!”

    Thank you Hiba, for this amazing read. It is a very much-needed post for women like me who need reassurance that the ‘flame’ in their marriages is still bright even if it tends to give a few burns at times.
    This post reassured me that everything was right in our marriage and how the beauty really lay in all the tiny details.
    Now I will remind myself to always step out of the canvas sometimes and admire the magnificent view of the husband, partner, confidant I have in my life.

    Thank you again, Hiba, I really needed this. :)

  3. Zujaja

    February 25, 2016 at 4:54 AM

    Very well written. ..yes 18 years and counting mashallah. .still feel don’t know it all..:)..and love the disclaimer part …

  4. Uzma

    February 25, 2016 at 5:10 AM

    Such a beautiful insight of what is happening behind the curtains. … thank you got writing it…. may Allah give you ease on every thing you do
    Ameen

  5. Sadia Ali

    February 25, 2016 at 5:55 AM

    Hi. What a beautiful piece of writing and I don’t know if anyone else felt this way too, but I seriously felt like I was reading my diary. Bless you ?

  6. Sahar

    February 25, 2016 at 6:59 AM

    Very well written… I can relate to most of the stuff here… and also, its about how willing the couple is to go through the good and bad times in a happy marriage.. thanks for a good read

  7. Nabeela

    February 25, 2016 at 7:12 AM

    JazakhAllah Khayr for this beautiful piece. It’s comforting to know we’re not alone in the marriage struggles. May Allah bless you and your family immensely.

  8. Atika

    February 25, 2016 at 10:07 AM

    Great read. I can only assure myself that I should ‘hang in there’:)

  9. Sana

    February 25, 2016 at 6:05 PM

    Beautiful. This made me shed that heavy to hold and a burdened tear like a rain drop! You don’t know how good you made me feel now, bless you and may you get every joy you wish for and beyond!

  10. Pakeezah

    February 25, 2016 at 6:06 PM

    This was so beautiful, Hiba. May Allah bless your marriage and your family. May He increase you in your strengths and make you a source of contentment for those around you. ameen! You are one gem of a person.

  11. Al

    February 25, 2016 at 8:40 PM

    Glad that the pressures of marriage and hard times u may have faced did not make u lose hope in your husband as a person. More strength and love to you and your bond of marriage.

  12. Dia

    February 25, 2016 at 10:36 PM

    Thank you so much for writing this and may God reward you immensely!!!
    It’s nice to know that switching between “I love you” and contemplating divorce is normal and should be expected :)

  13. Aafia

    February 26, 2016 at 2:14 AM

    Marriage is the Only relationship which has been provided the status of”Completion of deen”.Love and Mercy between a Partner is a Mercy of Allah without which a relationship can never survive:””And among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” [Sûrah Rûm: 21]”

    So,Its Allah I thank for all his favour.May We treasure this blessing and dwell in tranquility with our Spouse by loving and forgiving each Other,In sha Allah.

  14. Fatima

    February 27, 2016 at 5:05 PM

    A beautiful insight into what marriage should be. I wholeheartedly believe that marriage is a work in progress because the two spouses are a work in progress individually n no two days are, or have to be, the same. Lots of duas for more love in your marriage, more blueberries in your fridge, more glitter on your floor and more happy giggles in your lounge. AND more more power to your pen❤❤❤

  15. Sumaiya

    March 5, 2016 at 1:59 AM

    That was a heart warming article that covers a truly inspirational experience of what marriage actually is. I especially loved the ironic parts.

  16. Sakeenah Begum

    September 24, 2016 at 9:18 PM

    JazakaAllah sister for sharing your insights! It’s a blessing to have others who have been through it all and offer support from the other side!
    http://sakeenahbegum.com

  17. maleeha

    September 27, 2016 at 11:22 PM

    such a GREAT article; so insightful and your point number 7 hits the nail! I thank you so much sharing your thoughts, I learned a lot from this piece of writing than I have from a million aunties :)

  18. Maryam

    September 30, 2016 at 6:37 PM

    MA Sha Allah, I really needed this….. It looks as if the writer has said my own words. But much much much better than the way I would have presented. I felt sooooooooo much better after reading this. May Allah reward you sister.

  19. fariha

    June 11, 2017 at 3:43 PM

    Awesome piece of writing
    Jazakillah khair sister. You may not know me but this article has surely been a guidance to others.May Allah accept this from you and bless all the marriages of the ummah with great empathic skills.

  20. Sadia baig

    July 26, 2017 at 11:15 AM

    MA SHA ALLAH its a really beautiful article this shows how couples can support each other how they see circumstances i would like to appreciate the section of how” dua help & heals” this is really amazing way how to ask from ALLAH SWT
    may ALLAH SWT gives reward you for this awesome piece of writing !

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