President Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League International Dr. Ghazala Hassan Qadri delivered her first lecture of the 8 weeks al-Nasiha series on the topic of 'Strengthening the family units' in which she signified the importance of doing everything for the sake of Allah Almighty.

Dr. Ghazala stated that the foundation of the society is based on strong family units. She said that it is our responsibly to up-bring and prepare a new generation through our families, and educate them to become trustworthy, sincere responsible citizens, and aid humanity through public service and welfare. The strength of a family unit has a significant role in contributing to a developing society.

The characteristics of a strong society are the people within them are of good character, sympathetic, caring, peaceful and fair in conduct and mannerism. Upholding ones responsibilities within the relationships with family members is a great Jihad.

Within a family, the husband and wife have leading roles that have an effect on the whole family based on the mutual relationship between the parents.

Whilst urging everyone to listen to the lectures of Sayyidi Shaykh-ul-Islam on anger management in order to prevent inner tensions she briefly mentioned that being at home 24 hours with all the family members can be challenging for some people as responsibilities increases during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Emphasizing the importance of understanding the obligations of both the husband and wife within a marriage in order for it to be successful.

She derived the key elements from Surah Rum, Dr. Ghazala explained the elements and traits a marriage should be based upon; peace, love and mercy.

“And (also) of His signs is that He created for you mates of your own kind so that you acquire peace from them, and He created between you love and mercy. Verily, in this (system of creation) there are signs for those who meditate.” - (20:21)

Dr. Ghazala further stated that it is of high importance that we shall be aware of our marital obligations and responsibilities.

A husband and a wife must know their responsibilities and duties ordained by Allah Almighty.

She requested and urged married couples to listen to the lectures of Shaykh-ul-Islam where he has explained in detail the rights and obligations of spouses.

Quoting this hadith

“Every act is based upon the intention” Dr. Ghazala said that a wife and husband must both execute their duties as a martial couple just for the sake and pleasure of Allah Almighy alone. Their intention should be to please Allah Almighty and gain His pleasure. Thus any expectation should not be in the form of worldly thanks or appreciation. Instead we must seek our reward from Allah Almighty. By ensuring our intentions are for the sake of Allah Almighty alone we are then not reliant upon the thankfulness of others but look only to Allah for our reward and blessings in the akhira. This can then reduce many tensions and problems that exist in marriages.

The Holy Prophet PBUH said: “Allah only accepts the act which has been performed for His sake”- Sunan an Nisai.

"When a believer makes another believer happy in order to please Allah Almighty, He creates an angel out of that happiness who praises Allah, praises His Oneness. When the believer arrives in the grave the happiness and tranquility that he brought to another believer reaches him in the form of the Angel and says 'do you know me?' he responds 'who are you' and the angel says 'I am the happiness and tranquility that you brought to that particular person, today I will remove your fright and fulfill your need and be your witness on the day of Judgement I will plea for you in the court of your Lord and will show you your place in Jannah’"-Hadith

Explaining this hadith she concluded her session stating that if spouses does not look after each other and give the required time the love becomes dusty. Merely execution of responsibilities and obligations does not result in a healthy relationship that is based on purity, beauty and love, if we don’t pay attention to our spouse's feelings, emotions, wishes and rights.