Services

“Also among His Ayaat is that He has created spouses for you from yourselves so that you may find solace with her and He has placed love and mercy between you. There are certainly Ayaat in this for people who contemplate.” [Al-Rum, v. 21]

It has been narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas (Allah is pleased with him) that: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There is nothing like marriage, for two who love one another.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, hadith 1847]

Marriage (nikah) is a religious institution of love and mercy that has been simplified by Allah ﷻ and His Beloved Messenger ﷺ, yet today many single Muslim brothers and sisters are apprehensive about marriage.

Islamic Premarital Counselling (Premarital Counselling based on Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh) can play a positive role in simplifying the marriage, transforming it into something desirable and, more importantly, finding answers and solutions to a wide range of marital issues.

At this stage, the topics of discussion can be:

• Level of parental/family elders involvement in searching for a potential spouse
• Compatibility – what to look for in a potential spouse and what to avoid
• Mashwarah (consultation) & Istikharah (seeking guidance from Allah)
• Comprehensive understanding of the Islamic concept of marriage
• Getting to know your potential spouse – asking the right questions.

Islamic premarital counselling is all about laying the foundation of a strong, healthy marriage combined with Islamic spirituality.

According to a study by The Family and Youth Institute, 80% of divorced American Muslim couples did not participate in any formal premarital education. Islamic premarital counselling is a preventative measure that reduces the chances of divorce.

In Masjid Bilal, we strive to create an open, safe, respectful and non-judgmental environment where prospective couples can engage in fruitful discussions and exercises that will better equip them for their next chapter in life. Islamic premarital counselling is not about listening to a long lecture on marriage and the do’s and don’ts, but it is more about empowering the couple with the practical tools needed to navigate the highs and lows that come with every relationship.

In Masjid Bilal’s Islamic counselling process, we also actively listen to each couple (individually and collectively) and identify their unique needs to customize the session content so their concerns are addressed in the frame of Qur’an and Sunnah.

The topics of discussions throughout these sessions may include any of the following but are not limited to (listed in random order):

• Purpose of Marriage
• The Foundations of a Blissful Marriage: Piety, Love & Barakah (blessings)
• The Islamic Spirituality behind marriage
• Anger management
• Reconnecting after an Argument
• Rituals of Connection
• Balancing relationships between spouse, parents, in-laws and extended family
• Rights & Obligations of the spouses
• Family life of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ
• Communication & Connection
• Work-life balance
• Roles & Expectations
• Family time
• Intimacy
• Identify differences to either resolve them or learn to manage them.
• Conflict Management
• Short- and Long-term goals
• Finances
• Basic Fiqh of divorce – What words and statements to avoid so talaq does not unintentionally come into effect.
• Predictors of divorce
• Plots of Shaytan to destabilize a marriage
• Common causes of divorce e.g. domestic violence, infidelity, in-laws, various forms of abuse (financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.) and practical steps of how to avoid it
• Specific post-nikah prayers.

“If you fear that the couple may separate, then appoint a mediator from his family and a mediator from her family. If they both desire reconciliation, Allah will create unity between the couple. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, Informed.” [An-Nisaa, v. 35]

“If a women fears that her husband may ill-treat her or leave her, there shall be no sin on the couple should they make peace between themselves. Making peace is best. Selfishness has been made present in the souls. If you deal cordially and adopt Taqwa, then indeed Allah is informed of what you do.” [An-Nisaa, v. 128]

“If you make peace and adopt Taqwa, then surely Allah is Most Forgiving Most Merciful.” [Al-Nisaa, v. 129]

Our Imam also provides Islamic couples therapy for couples who seek to reconcile and manage their differences, according to Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh. He has also completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Multiple sessions over a period of time may be required; therefore, commitment from the couple is necessary.

“When you divorce wives and they reach their term, then keep them with kindness or release them with kindness. Do not keep them to hurt them, overstepping the limits set by Allah, for whoever does so has verily done wrong to himself.” [Al-Baqarah, v. 231]

In case of an inevitable situation where all efforts to reconcile were exhausted, and there is Islamic justification for divorce, our Imam will facilitate a smooth process of an amicable divorce according to Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh. This is strictly a religious service. For all legal matters, please contact a lawyer.

Note: The primary goal is reconciliation.

Please take note of the following:

• Counselling is based on Islamic principles: Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh.
• All discussions are strictly confidential in an open and safe environment
• No information is shared unless required by law
• Commitment to attend multiple sessions, if required
• All participants are expected to abide by Islamic ethics and etiquette.
• For all legal matters please contact a lawyer

To book an appointment, please email our Imam at: imam@masjidbilal.ca