INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)  
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue X October 2025  
Positive Practices in Building Harmonious Households in  
Terengganu  
Zaiton Mustafa*., Hishamuddin Salim., Noor Eliza Abdul Rahman., Nik Murshidah Nik Din., Rahimah  
Embong  
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia  
*Corresponding Author  
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.910000745  
Received: 02 November 2025; Accepted: 10 November 2025; Published: 22 November 2025  
ABSTRACT  
This article explores positive behavioural practices among married Muslim couples in Terengganu that  
contribute to harmonious family life. Using a qualitative design through semi-structured interviews with nine  
participants, the study identifies key themes of marital well-being, including mutual respect, patience, shared  
responsibility, emotional support, tolerance, communication, and spiritual practices. The findings reveal that  
sustainable happiness within a family is closely tied to Islamic moral values. The study concludes that positive  
marital practices among Muslim couples in Terengganu are grounded in Islamic ethical principles that promote  
sakinah (tranquility), mawaddah (affection), and rahmah (compassion) within the family.  
Keywords: Positive marital practices, Muslim family, Terengganu, Islamic ethics, Family well-being  
INTRODUCTION  
The divorce rate in Malaysia has continued to show an upward trend, and this phenomenon is also evident in the  
state of Terengganu, which is located on the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Based on marriage and divorce  
records from the late 1940s to the 1950s, the east coast states were found to have higher divorce rates compared  
to those on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Kelantan recorded the highest divorce rate, with 70.96% of  
cases reported, followed by Terengganu, which had the second-highest rate at 71.27% (Haryati Hasan, 2021).  
In essence, the high divorce rate in Terengganu is not a new issue. To this day, the problem of divorce continues  
to persist within the Muslim community in the state and has been actively addressed by the Terengganu state  
government (Wan Mohd Yusof et al., 2017). This initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Family  
Policy, which aims to promote family well-being and ensure social stability across the nation.  
The family serves as the most important agent of socialization in society, responsible for transmitting positive  
values to future generations (Rohana, 2014). Divorce inevitably disrupts family functioning, and the failure of  
families to operate effectively can result in negative consequences, contributing to increased social misconduct  
(Norhayati & Zaidah, 2016; Nuraimirah et al., 2019; Jagdeep, 2021).  
Therefore, maintaining well-being within the household is essential to ensure that families can play their roles  
effectively. This study, therefore, seeks to identify the positive practices among married couples in fostering  
harmonious family relationships. It is hoped that this effort will contribute to the development of happier and  
more resilient families in Terengganu.  
METHODOLOGY  
This study applied a qualitative phenomenological approach to understand participants’ experiences in managing  
their marital relationships. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine married couples  
who have been married for more than ten years and residing in Kuala Terengganu. Participants were selected  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)  
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue X October 2025  
using purposive sampling, targeting individuals who were considered to have stable and long-term marital  
experiences. This group was selected as they have passed the critical phase of marriage. Marriages within the  
first 1–10 years are categorized as the initial phase, which involves the process of getting to know each other,  
adaptation, and life adjustments (Siti Marziah Zakaria et al., 2019). The first phase of marriage is often associated  
with a period of crisis. The ability of couples to successfully navigate this phase ensures marital stability and the  
continuity of the family institution (Hamid, 2021).  
The interviews explored two main questions: (1) What positive behaviours are expected and practiced within  
their households? (2) What negative behaviours are avoided to sustain harmony? The interview protocol  
consisted of open-ended questions that allowed participants to share their views freely while maintaining a focus  
on positive marital practices and family well-being. All responses were transcribed, coded, and categorized using  
thematic analysis. The data analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis framework,  
which involves six systematic phases: familiarization with data, generating initial codes, searching for themes,  
reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the report.  
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION  
1. Mutual Respect and Effective Communication  
All participants emphasized that respect and good communication are the foundation of marital harmony.  
Respecting one’s spouse involves the willingness to listen, speaking politely, and appreciating each other’s  
opinions. According to Ninawati (2018), the aspect of communication plays a vital role in achieving and forming  
a family characterized by sakinah (tranquility), mawaddah (love), and rahmah (compassion). Communication  
is essential for husbands and wives to understand and express each other’s needs and feelings. Good  
communication, such as paying attention to what the partner says, helps make one feel valued (Fadillah, 2016).  
Effective resolution of marital conflict is achieved through communication (Nuraini & Marziah, 2021). Previous  
studies on marital quality have also found that positive communication between husband and wife is highly  
effective in fostering happiness and prolonging the duration of marriage (Liana Mat Nayan et al., 2016; Suzana  
Mohd Hoesni et al., 2016; Nuraini & Marziah, 2021).  
2. Tolerance, Patience, and Emotional Support  
Several participants explained that patience and tolerance are the main qualities needed to face conflicts. They  
believed that couples who support each other during times of hardship maintain a stronger bond. Rahman and  
Awang (2004) stated that the supportive traits and responses of a partner during difficult situations can enhance  
an individual’s trust and confidence in their spouse. Meanwhile, according to Holmes (1989), trust has a lasting  
impact on individuals, where a high level of trust contributes positively to marital relationships. In fact, tolerance,  
mutual understanding, and mutual respect are among the key elements required in a household to achieve a  
quality marriage (Asila & Siti Marziah, 2019).  
3. Shared Responsibilities and Cooperation  
Participants highlighted collaboration in household duties and shared responsibility in parenting as crucial for a  
peaceful home. Since the wives involved in this study were working women, it can be understood that they  
expected their husbands’ cooperation to ease their burden in managing household responsibilities. In reality,  
wives bear a significant share of household responsibilities and do not have enough time to complete all tasks at  
once, including caring for the children (Noor Rahamah, 2012). Therefore, wives need a support system,  
especially from their husbands, to fulfil both responsibilities in a balanced and effective manner (Mohd Ismail  
& Bushrah, 2014). This finding also indicates that they oppose patriarchal norms that restrict domestic duties to  
one gender. Based on previous studies, happy couples were found to consistently cooperate in handling tasks  
and to be more tolerant in maintaining family happiness (Fadillah, 2016; Asila & Siti Marziah, 2019).  
4. Spiritual Practices and Religious Commitment  
Several participants highlighted the importance of spiritual practices within the household. Some expressed their  
hope for their husbands to consistently lead congregational prayers at home. For them, praying together, making  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS)  
ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX Issue X October 2025  
collective supplications, and engaging in family worship are practices that cultivate inner peace and strengthen  
emotional and spiritual bonds among family members. The concept of religion is one of the fundamental aspects  
that helps build family well-being. Religious-based practices and values can assist in managing family crises  
effectively (Abdul Rashid & Nurun Najihah, 2023).  
5. Avoidance of Negative Traits  
Apart from exploring positive practices within the household, participants were also share their views on  
undesirable behaviours that may affect marital harmony. Based on the interviews, the undesirable behaviours  
from a spouse include being hot-tempered, aggressive, poor in communication, irresponsible, not punctual,  
breaking promises, dishonest, egoistic, and lacking empathy. Abdul Rashid and Nurun Najihah (2023)  
emphasized that husbands and wives should strive to avoid actions that can create conflict within the household.  
Negative attitudes and undesirable behaviours of spouses are among the factors that contribute to divorce  
(Fadillah, 2016; Mohd Rasydan & Mohd Norsuhairi, 2024). This matter should be given due attention by married  
couples in order to preserve marital harmony.  
CONCLUSION  
The study concludes that positive marital practices among Muslim couples in Terengganu are grounded in  
Islamic ethical principles that promote sakinah (tranquility), mawaddah (affection), and rahmah (compassion)  
within the family. The findings further suggest that values such as respect, patience, effective communication,  
and spiritual devotion are key determinants of marital happiness in Terengganu.  
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  
This paper is part of a research project supported by Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) under Dana  
Penyelidikan Universiti (UniSZA/2023/DPU-FKI 1.0/03).  
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