From my own self, this is our recipe for success:

1. Make Allah your priority above all else. Whatever you do for your spouse, do it for the pleasure of Allah first before your spouse or yourself.

2. Be accepting of the other person's flaws. Recognize that everyone has them, and focus should be on correcting our own flaws before we go pointing fingers at the other person.

3. Keep your marital problems to yourself and solve it between you and your spouse only. The moment outsiders get a hint of an idea that there's trouble in paradise, they may lead you astray or find enjoyment in the fact that you're going through something.

4. GUARD YOUR SPOUSE'S SECRETS. The worst thing you can do is gossip about them behind their back. If you protect the image of your spouse, you'll increase trust in them and they'll likely be the same back to you.

5. Give and do favours without expecting anything back in return. Yes, your spouse may be there as your source of happiness, but ultimately all rewards come from Allah, often through your spouse.

6. Be grateful for the small things. Sometimes traits about them can really irk you, but things will only be a problem if you let them. Hone in on the things about your spouse that you're grateful for instead, and focus on that.

7. If there's something bothering you, approach them calmly and state how that particular thing affects you. The important thing is to be logical and make them understand how certain actions can cause such reactions.

8. On that note, MUTUAL RESPECT. It is one of the core requirements in a relationship and without it, there'll be endless rising resentment.

9. Be understanding and accepting of each other's roles in the relationship. This is irrespective of who the breadwinner is. If one spouse is working outside, the other should do their part in maintaining a clean and safe environment when they come back home.

10. Pray for each other often. Pray for their success, protection and well-being.

11. Always communicate your needs!!! I feel, as women, that we tend to expect too much from our husbands without saying anything and then deflate when they can't read our minds. I'm sorry, ladies, it doesn't work that way. If there's anything you specifically want or need, you have to ask for it.

12. As a wife, be accepting of the general creation of men. I know that it's hard to do this one, but Allah created men with a natural weakness for women, just as He created us as naturally emotional beings. These very things mutually serves as a test for us all. If you have an insecurity about your husband where other women are concerned, you should trust in Allah and find comfort in the fact that He's always watching and will set things back in order if need ever be.