Books: Book on Islamic Marriage Sets Sights on Healing the World

This new book teaches about cultivating tranquility and balance in our romantic relationships. But beyond the surface lies pertinent insight for solving some of our world's biggest problems.

Coral Qadar, the author of for Sakinah: Collected Notes and Reflections for The Muslim Bride, says her first book can "significantly change the world as we know it." The book title employs part of a verse from the Quran that describes the state of tranquility and satisfaction -- Sakinah -- that God intends for husbands and wives to share and enjoy. The title also alludes to a more global view: seeing the world arrive at such a state of peace, starting with healing the Muslim family.

At first glance, for Sakinah is an uplifting, delicately crafted memoir about womanhood and partnership. It consists of notes and reflections from a "Muslim bride of 27 years," shared with an audience of spiritually-conscious women from young to old. Yet, beyond the surface there possibly exists long-overdue insight to solve the problems that plague our global landscape, particularly in relation to Islam.

For the Muslim community, for Sakinah restores a wholesome, spiritual view of Islam. Its therapeutic significance for Muslims and non-Muslims alike is inherent in that it reclaims the discussion on Islam -- away from the seemingly never-ending political discussion, which focuses on terrorism and extremism -- back to practical Islam and spirituality. The book serves to reintroduce the Muslim mind to the fundamental values of the faith, with a focus on internal reflection, personal growth, harmonious relationships and healthy family life.

The book also cites examples based upon the African-American experience which provides a road map to healthy Islamic-interfaith relations worldwide. While much of America is trying to figure out how Islam can peacefully co-exist with the west, the author notes that there's been a peaceful coexistence between Islam and Christianity in the black community for years. Qadar, whose Christian family supported her conversion to Islam almost 30 years ago, asserts that the private black Christian population has served to protect the growth of Islam and that the relationship between the two groups is healthy. "Among the general black population, there's always been an admiration for Islam."

for Sakinah is both inspiring and practical -- for couples that seek peace and deep satisfaction in their relationships and for a world that seeks answers to problems which threaten peace globally. Some 2000 years ago, a disciple of Confucius said "...those who wished to put their country in order would first bring about right relationships with their family; those who wished to bring about right relationships in their family would first cultivate their own self; those who wished to cultivate their own self would first start with their own heart..." It is for those of us that Qadar shares her wisdom.

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