Consequently two young and inexperienced people step into a...

Consequently two young and inexperienced people step into a new life and confront many problems. Differences, arguments, and fights begin to develop. Their parents then interfere to help resolve the differences. But, since their interferences are mostly biased, the differences are exaggerated and the situation becomes worse. The initial years of family life are eventful and critical. This is the period where many families can be torn between divorce and disintegration.

Some of them continue their marriage and prefer this self-made prison to divorce and others learn more about each other and form a relatively comfortable life. What a nice thing it could be had there been some means of educating and informing young men and women about the foundations and the establishment of marriage in the form of classes entitled "marriage preparation" which would prepare them for establishing their own families. I am hopeful of the day that such program is established.

The present book is written on the basis of this necessity. In resolving the issues of this book, I have relied upon the Holy Qur'an, the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S) and the Infallible Imams (a.s.), as well as some general statistics, and my personal experience. Although certain guidelines for a better marriage have been presented, I do not claim that all family problems can be solved by reading this book.

It is hoped that the book will provide better insight and awareness for those experiencing marital and family problems. It is highly expected of those responsible' persons who realize the importance of this matter, to take serious steps in order to help those who suffer from the agonies and sufferings of family deterioration and conflict. (Insha’Allah) This book has been divided in two parts.

The first part concerns the duties of women to their husbands and the second part covers the duties of men to their wives. But men and women are recommended to read both parts in order to get a better insight into the matter. By reading only one part of the book, the reader might feel a bias towards one side or the other; but by reading both the parts, one would admit that this is not the case. Ibrahim Amini Qum July 1975 [^1]: Wasa 'il al Shiah, vol. 14, p 3. [^3]: Ibid, p 23 Previous…