Among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He put loveand mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect. [Sûrah Rûm 30:21] We should think about this verse of the Quran. We should consider it well. What does it tell us about married life? The verse tells us quite clearly that the marital relationship is to be established on a basis of mutual understanding, compassion, and love. Moreover, this relationship is a reciprocal one.It is not one-way. This relationship is something that both the husband and wife must maintain together with closeness, affection, softness of heart, and mutual caring. This is the way that the “tranquility” mentioned in the verse is realized. The measure of marital success is in the harmony and openness of the marital relationship. Its failure can be measured in the degree of discord and emotional imbalance it suffers from.