This study focused on the factors leading to a happily married
life. Three married couples who have been awarded mithali
and mawaddah family were chosen as samples using purposive
sampling method. In depth-structured interviews were conducted
to investigate their experience of being happily married and
what factors they think are important to be happily married until
they are awarded mithali family (until they were given mithali
family award). The interview data were then analyzed strictly
according to the themes that have been determined along with the
evidence from the interviews conducted. Thirteen categories that
emerged after coding the data were religiosity, compromise and
commitment, marital satisfaction, wise conflict resolution, good
communication, presence of children in the marriage, economic
status, positivity in the relationship, respect, trust, understanding,
lovingness and no mistreatment involved in the relationship. This
study has important implications for married couples, counsellorsand those directly involved in drafting the Family Wellbeing Index
at the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.