Yaqeen Podcast Why is Marriage So Complicated? | SERIES PREMIERE | Real Talk ft. Dr. Tesneem Alkiek
Dec 4, 2025
Dr. Tesneem Alkiek, a scholar specializing in Islamic law, dives into the complexities of marriage today. She discusses how societal changes make marital life lonelier and explains the vital role of community in supporting couples. Distinguishing between cultural practices and Islamic norms, she emphasizes that Islamic law serves as a baseline, not an exhaustive model. Tesneem highlights the flexibility of mahr and nafqa duties, reminding couples to prioritize compassion and mutual respect, viewing marriage as a sacred commitment.
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Expectations Rose As Community Support Fell
- Modern marriage faces higher expectations while losing communal support structures.
- Tesneem Alkiek links this shift to loneliness and unrealistic domestic standards.
Culture, Law, And Polarized Language Shape Debates
- Muslims respond to marital change via culture, law, or political language, creating rigid binaries.
- Tesneem Alkiek warns these reactions impose artificial constraints on marriage.
Companions Show Women Financial Agency
- Female companions historically contributed financially to households and community.
- Tesneem Alkiek cites Umm Salama and Zainab as examples of women giving and receiving zakah support.