Islam has a very beautiful way of explaining how husband and wife should be, and should live their life. Most of the beautiful things, we need to carigali as deep as possible, because it was not available anywhere easy - especially not in kursus kahwin conducted here in Malaysia!

During the last YMP meeting, one of the speaker mention this really amazing quote that really rings true to my ear.

‘A woman will achieve true liberation when she is married’. Not in anyway meant to demean anybody who’s not in a marriage, the purpose of this quote and this entry is to point the other ‘better’ definition of marriage in Islam.

When what we normally heard is stories of how once married women will be confined to her house, have to answer to every beck and call of her husband, cannot do this, cannot do that, that quote by the speaker is quite an interesting piece of information.

I think of my father, he used to say this to me and my sisters, in Islam ‘the only job for a woman is to take care of their children. Not to cook, to clean, or to be slave in the house. If a man is capable, financially - he needs to provide a helper to his wife’. My father always provided a helper to my mom. I believe my mom found her true liberation in her marriage because she managed to do what she loves most - taking care of her children!

I reflected upon my very own marriage. You know what, praise to Almighty, I did agree to that sentence of hers!

I might not be like my mom, in fact I might be the exact opposite of my mom. However, my husband aka Mr. Big Z, allows me this freedom to do what I want to do, and be who I want to be. He supported my interest and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. He allows me to explore new places, new experiences, new hobbies that I found interesting. In that sense, I believe I did found true liberation in my marriage.

For all married woman out there, I wish you will also find your true liberation in your marriage. If you find that there is something missing, talk to the husband, and enlighten him on the true Islamic way of marriage. Do not be a slave to limiting cultural dictation if you are unhappy. There are other ways, better ways.