I had written seven F’s of a Happy Marriage on September 15 and nine on October 12. Here are some more
17. Frank:
Marital relationship is where the partners must feel safe to speak their mind with due consideration to the other’s feeling, without compromising their own views. When the communication is not frank it hinders in the development of closeness and deep understanding of each other’s inner self.
18. Facilitator:
When choosing our life partner, we must, as the Prophet (SAW) advised, look for a practising Muslim as such a persons’ goal is the pleasure of Allah which makes them an excellent facilitator (someone who makes things easy). In essence, the couple facilitates their family’s commitment to Allah and His Deen.
19. Honest Flattery:
Paying compliments and indulging in honest flattery is an inexpensive way to win spouse’s heart. Everyone likes to be appreciated and noticed. So being stingy about compliments is actually depriving oneself of being appreciated in return.
20. Fulfilling:
To be in love means to give one’s all. The heart does not put conditions or make stipulations. It gives without expecting anything in return. Such selfless giving is always rewarded tenfold.
21. Fallible:
Sometimes our expectations are so high that we lose focus of the fact that we are fallible (not perfect/make mistakes) beings. When couples start to nitpick and demand the impossible they must remind themselves that only Allah is perfect.
22. Fondness:
So many times couples fail to work on developing fondness for each other by failing to see their spouses as people through the eyes of their respective friends. Spending quality time alone doing and sharing activities are ways in which one can develop fondness.
23. Planning:
Smart couples plan for their future together. They work on their financial and retirement plans, make wills and discuss these plans with their children. This provides peace of mind and secures the relationship