“And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find tranquility in them. And He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed, in this are signs for people who reflect.” [Surah Al-Rum, v. 21]
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضى الله عنه) reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Nothing brings love between two people like marriage.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, 1847]
Marriage (nikah) is a sacred institution founded on love and mercy, beautifully simplified by Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ. Yet, many Muslims today feel anxious or unprepared when it comes to taking this step.
Islamic premarital counselling, rooted in the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Fiqh, offers a meaningful way to approach marriage with confidence. It helps couples build strong foundations, making marriage not only desirable but also practical and spiritually fulfilling.
Research by The Family and Youth Institute shows that 80% of divorced American Muslim couples had no formal premarital education. Islamic premarital counselling serves as a preventative tool, empowering couples with knowledge, clarity, and conflict resolution skills that reduce the risk of future marital issues.
At Masjid Bilal, we offer a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental environment where engaged and newly married couples can engage in guided discussions and interactive exercises. This is not a lecture-based program, it’s about practical preparation and spiritual connection.
Each session is customized based on the couple’s unique circumstances and concerns, addressed through the lens of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Topics Covered May Include (but are not limited to):
- The Purpose of Marriage in Islam
- Foundations of a Successful Marriage: Taqwa, Love & Barakah
- Spiritual Dimensions of Marriage
- Conflict & Anger Management
- Rebuilding Connection After Disagreements
- Rights and Responsibilities of Spouses
- Family Dynamics: Spouse, Parents, In-laws
- Communication and Emotional Intimacy
- Work-Life and Family Balance
- Roles, Expectations, and Goal-Setting
- Financial Planning
- Identifying and Managing Differences
- Understanding Divorce in Fiqh (including avoiding accidental talaq)
- Common Causes of Divorce: e.g. lack of communication, emotional neglect, infidelity, in-law interference, abuse (emotional, financial, spiritual), unresolved conflict, and unrealistic expectations
- The Prophet’s ﷺ Example in Family Life
- Shaytan’s Tactics to Undermine Marriage
- Special Duas for Newlyweds
Key Details about the Islamic Premarital Counselling process:
- Islamic Principles: The premarital counselling conversations are based on Qur’an, Sunnah, and Fiqh, ensuring that the guidance aligns with Islamic values.
- Confidentiality: All sessions are completely confidential. Your privacy is a priority, and no information will be shared unless required by law.
- Safe, Non-Judgmental Environment: The sessions take place in a safe space, free of judgment, where you can openly discuss your concerns.
- Islamic Ethics and Etiquette: All participants are expected to abide by Islamic ethics and etiquette during the sessions to ensure a respectful and productive environment.
- Honesty & Commitment: We do expect all participants to maintain honesty and a commitment to attending multiple sessions, to benefit fully from the process.
- Legal Matters: Please note that while we can offer guidance and support grounded in Islamic principles, any legal matters, such as prenuptial agreements, must be addressed with the assistance of a qualified lawyer. Our role is to provide religious-focused counselling, not legal advice.
Please Note: These sessions are led by our Imam who provides faith-based advice and spiritual guidance in accordance with Islamic teachings. Our Imam is not a government-licensed counsellor.
🔗 Click here to learn more about our Imam, Mushtaq Shaikh.
Session Details:
- Duration: 5 sessions (approximately 45min. – 1 hour each)
- Facilitator: Imam Mushtaq Shaikh
To Book or Inquire:
📞 Call: 416-264-1222 (Weekdays between Zuhr and Esha — leave a message if unanswered)
📧 Email: imam@masjidbilal.ca
💬 Please inquire about the current fee structure when booking your session. Full-time students can inquire about a discounted rate.
Appointment Location:
- In-Person: Appointments are held at the Masjid Bilal office, allowing for a more personal and direct connection.
Online: Virtual sessions via Zoom are available for couples who may find it more convenient because of distance or who simply prefer to connect from the comfort of their own space.