Ads by Muslim Ad Network

My Husband in the West Isn’t the Same Person

26 August, 2023
Q My husband and I are in long distance. We recently got married after dating for 5 years. I always repent to Allah for my past mistakes and may Allah forgive us both for the past. But during these days I feel resentful towards my husband. He has many friends in Canada and I don’t find them to be good company for my husband. Because of the lifestyle of those friends. For example, my husband also has friends here in and he is a very different person here. The friends here are very respectful towards each other. They speak very gently. Most of them are married and they are all good to their wives. They pray 5 times a day and even encourage each other to pray. They don’t have friends of opposition gender. But the friends my husband has there, smokes, drinks alcoholic and even when my husband goes back, he started smoking with them. They share pornographic contents with each other which my husband doesn’t do here but when he goes there, he becomes very defensive about the friends there. Their normal conversations include a lot of cursing, vulgar words. They share and brag about their intimate relationships with everyone. They have friends of opposite gender who they mix very closely. They dance together and celebrate birthdays together. They don’t pray except Friday and Eid prayers.

Now I don’t want my husband to be a loner there and stop talking to his friends. All I want him to do is learn the boundaries around them. And not do anything that can have impact on his deen and our marriage. I have tried to talk to him about my feelings. But he doesn’t want to change or understand my side. What can I do at this point?

Answer

Your husband works in a Western country, and when he is there, his manners are questionable. Free-mixing and clubs, just occasional prayers and vulgar jokes with his friends.

What can you do?

You were engaged for five years. Did you know about his double lifestyle?

We should not expect that marriage will solve or stop unrighteous behavior. That has to do more with self-discipline and one’s own commitment to the deen.

You don’t want to live this way, and you don’t want your husband to live this way either. What could your husband do to distance himself from a haram lifestyle?

Ads by Muslim Ad Network

List down the good things and manners he has, as well as the ones you are concerned about. Talk to him and ask who he really is and wants to be.

For more tips, check out the video.

Read more:

***

Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services. 

About Aisha Mohammad
Aisha has a PhD in psychology, an MS in public health and a PsyD. Aisha worked as a Counselor/Psychologist for 12 years at Geneva B. Scruggs Community Health Care Center in New York. She has worked with clients with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, trauma, and OCD. She also facilitated support groups and provided specialized services for victims of domestic violence, HIV positive individuals, as well youth/teen issues. Aisha is certified in Mindfulness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavioral Management, Restorative Justice/ Healing Circles, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Confidentiality & Security. Aisha is also a Certified Life Coach, and Relationship Workshop facilitator. Aisha has a part-time Life Coaching practice in which she integrates the educational concepts of stress reduction, mindfulness, introspection, empowerment, self love and acceptance and spirituality to create a holistic healing journey for clients. Aisha is also a part of several organizations that advocates for prisoner rights/reentry, social & food justice, as well as advocating for an end to oppression & racism. In her spare time, Aisha enjoys her family, photography, nature, martial arts classes, Islamic studies, volunteering/charity work, as well as working on her book and spoken word projects.