In her post, Nazreen Fazal discusses the concept of arranged marriage via her own experience.
Highlights
- In her post, Nazreen Fazal discusses the concept of arranged marriage
- She talks about her own experience with her then-prospective groom
- Her post has gone viral with over 9,200 reactions on Facebook
Anyone who's contemplating marriage, especially an arranged one, needs to read this woman's post, going viral on Facebook. Since being shared on December 10, her post has collected over 9,200 reactions, more than 2,200 shares and some 1,000 comments.
In her post, Nazreen Fazal, a London School of Economics alum, discusses the concept of arranged marriage via her own experience. It all began with her sending a two-page profile to her then-prospective groom. "On one page was 'who I am' and on the next was what I am looking for in a partner. In return he sent me three points about himself and asked me three straightforward questions," she says on Facebook. It was her "autobiography" that convinced him she was the person he was looking for. She took her time.
After their first virtual meeting, the two exchanged some 80 emails. "We weren't flirting or indulging in small talk. These were serious back and forth discussions about our priorities in life, where we see ourselves in a few years, our expectations of a partner etc," she says. Ms Fazal says it was her asking most of the questions - on kids, working women, even abuse.
It took them all those emails, Skype calls and a meeting over a course of two months before they agreed to get married to each other. This initial introduction or homework before marriage, she says, is what helps set the tone of their relationship. "In our marriage I find that we perfectly complement each other's flaws and goodnesses," she says.
Ms Fazal then goes on to talk about arranged marriages in general and how absurd it is that in some cases the two people getting married don't even meet each other before the nuptials. "The parents meet the prospective son/daughter in law and decide on behalf of their child. What sense does this make? You are going to live with your husband/wife NOT your mother in law," she says, adding: "How can you live with someone without knowing if you are on the same page when it comes to religion/finances/children/rights and responsibilities?"
She then goes on share her favourite metaphor from the Quran about spouses and dishes out some serious advice to anyone looking for a partner. And you will probably agree whole-heartedly with her when she says "ignore the 'wedding' and think about the 'marriage'."
Read her post in its entirety below: