Interesting article, and I'm not wanting to get into the dating vs. marriage 
debate, from an Islamic point of view, however, a couple of points stand out 
for me in this article.  A.  that a blissful marriage is merely and only, 
contingent upon the wife's faithfulness and obedience to her husband, and b. 
that seemingly, it is haram/forbidden for people to get to know each other 
before marriage.  On the second point, surely, there are halal/permissible 
means for people seeking marriage to get to know each other, in a halal way, 
before embarking upon a marriage.  This article draws no middle ground 
between the free-for-all dating, and a stranger marriage, where it seems 
that people should not even know each other, before they get married, and if 
they do so, if they seek to try to get to know each other, that it is 
somehow haram and "just like the Europeans".

Also, it's not only the wife's faithfulness and obedience that makes a happy 
marriage, but the husband's attentiveness to his wife.  Interesting how the 
article's author points out the haddith about a wife obeying her husband, 
yet doesn't mention the hadith about the Prophet (may Allah bless him and 
grant him peace) helping his wife with the housework and other chores, as 
well as playing and joking with them (as in the case of Aisha).

I understand the article's intent, but the focus on the woman's so-called 
"duties" coupled with the mans "rights over his wife", without also giving 
equal regard to the wrights of the wife and the husband's duties upon her 
gives me great pause!

Along with all the plethara of articles on "the woman's duties", etc., I'd 
just like to see just as much attention given to the man's duties as a 
Muslim, a husband, a father, etc.

Ginny

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