The Role of Religion in Long-distance Marriage as Experienced by Malaysian Muslim Husbands

Abstract

Due to the challenges of globalization, more and more married couples in Malaysia are involved in long-distance relationships. Despite this trend, few studies have documented the experience and impact of long-distance marital relationships on husband or the role of religion in helping Muslim husbands cope with the stresses of separation. Therefore, this study explores the religious beliefs and practices of five Muslim husbands in long-distance marriages. The three main themes that emerged from qualitative analysis are (a) religious belief and commitment to marriage, (b) religious belief as a coping strategy, and (c) religious practices as a coping strategy. This study's findings indicate that specific beliefs and practices are related to how husbands approach their marriages. Findings clearly show that religion continues to be significant in many Muslim marriages, especially in this era of employment mobility. This study also supports previous studies that show positive correlations between salient aspects of faith and family life. This finding highlights the importance of Islamic-based counseling interventions incorporating scientific and revealed knowledge that could support Muslim clients.