Muslim women told to strengthen marriage through effective communication, emotional intelligence

Muslim women have been urged to strengthen their marriages through effective communication, mutual respect and emotional intelligence while preparing adequately for the realities of ageing and protecting their overall wellbeing.

The advice was given at the annual Guidance, Counselling and Health Awareness seminar, organised by Al-Mu’minaat, The Believing Women Organisation, Lagos State, on August 8, at the TMC Dawah Centre, Ijesha, Lagos.

The seminar, with the theme: ‘Seasons of Life: Strengthening Marriages, Embracing Ageing, Preserving Wellbeing’, attracted about 800 Muslim women from Lagos State and beyond.

The programme brought together marriage counsellors, therapists, health professionals and other speakers who addressed issues affecting women at different stages of life, with emphasis on healthy relationships, emotional wellbeing, ageing and health awareness.

Speaking during a panel session on strengthening marriages, a renowned marriage counsellor, Hajia Sherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, urged Muslim wives to accord their husbands due respect, describing it as essential to marital stability.

“As a Muslim woman, you must respect your husband. Respect is non-negotiable. Once you choose not to respect him, your marriage is on the brink of dissolution. But if you have respect for him, you will know to talk to him without dishonour.

“The love and respect that you have for your spouse will always guide your actions,” she said.

Hajia Yusuf-Ajibade also advised women to communicate their expectations clearly to their husbands to prevent avoidable conflicts.

“If you have expectations, communicate them ahead to prevent avoidable chaos. Also, learn to always communicate with Allah before having any conversation with your spouse. That makes everything easy and seamless,” she said.

Another panellist, therapist and author of Parenting with Love and Awareness, Hajia Nafisah Ogunbona-Fadipe, stressed the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in building healthy marriages.

READ ALSO: Disobeying traffic lights: Need to address erring commercial motorcyclists

“You need to know yourself and the things that trigger you. You have to be self-aware so that your spouse can feel loved and connect with you emotionally. Learn to listen with rapt attention, and don’t respond immediately if you don’t have a suitable answer,” she said.

Hajia Ogunbona-Fadipe advised women to approach marital disagreements with a solution-oriented mindset and address unresolved trauma that could affect their relationships.

“Whenever you want to communicate with your husband, think of solutions, not problems. No husband would want to stay in a chaotic home. Men begin to withdraw gradually and, before you realise it, they are gone already.

“It is also necessary for you to treat your trauma if you realise you have any. Traumas are baggage; don’t take them into your marriage,” she said.

The panellists also emphasised the need for couples to seek understanding rather than turn disagreements into arguments, noting that genuine intentions, compassion, attentive listening and emotional intelligence are essential to healthy communication.