Abstract

This study responds to the increasing need for faith-based counseling services, particularly in marriage. The researcher tested the effectiveness of Islamic-based marriage counseling in improving understanding of the essence of marriage. The counseling module was developed using maqasid methodology, resulting in seven marriage essentials taken from the Qur'an and Hadith. A single-case research design with an A-B structure was applied to three couples who were facing domestic problems and were willing to undergo a minimum of five sessions. The level of understanding of the essence of marriage and mood disturbance was measured on a 1-10 scale based on client self-report and counselor reflection at baseline and intervention phases. Results showed increased understanding and a significant decrease in mood disturbance throughout the intervention phase. The findings indicate that Islamic marriage counseling effectively strengthens couples' understanding of the essence of marriage. The researcher recommends that similar programs, based on deep understanding (tadabbur) of Qur'anic verses related to the essence of marriage, be integrated into mental health services by the government, communities, and religious social institutions.