The singles in the audience learned key things to look for in a relationship, and the married couples learned ways to improve their marriage.

Shaikh Yassir Fazaga, religious director of the Orange County Islamic Foundation, advised the single members of the audience to avoid getting into a relationship for reasons such as "pressure, loneliness, sexual hunger, and to fill up emotional and spiritual gaps." As an example, he said that a person wanting to get married only to satisfy his or her sexual desires may be looking for a spouse with physical beauty, which should not be the sole quality sought after. "When we get into the relationship for the wrong reasons, we tend to make the wrong choices," he said.

Fazaga also talked about the qualities to avoid in a potential spouse. He stressed that people with addictive behaviors, including addiction to pornography, alcohol, and drugs, should be absolutely avoided. "Addictive behavior creates a triangle—you, your partner, and whatever is addicted to. You are in love with someone who is not free, and you are with a person who is robbed to feel fully."

Shaikh Sadullah Khan, religious director of the Islamic Center of Irvine, emphasized the sacredness of marriage in Islam. He cited a verse from the Qur’an that calls marriage a meethaq, or covenant, and he noted that this word is the same word used to describe the covenant between Allah and the prophets. He also emphasized that Islamic marriage is about finding tranquility and peace within each other. "Multiply joy, divide grief," he said. "When you laugh, both of you laugh. When you cry, you have a shoulder to cry on."

He also stressed the need to have good communication, which is different than just speaking to someone. "Communication is to say what you mean and mean what you say, and the other person knows what you meant," he explained.

Zulfar Shakir, a married woman in the audience who came from San Diego to hear the talk, agreed with Khan’s point. "Communication is one important thing. If you don’t have the right level, you’ll misunderstand each other," she said.

Khan received applause and cheers from the women in the audience when he said that according to most Islamic opinions women are not obligated to cook, clean, and do other household duties, and urged the men to help with these responsibilities. Dema Sabha, a single woman in the audience, appreciated Khan’s comments. "He was very pro-women, and I liked that," she said.

Regarding spousal obligations, Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Faqih, Imam of the Islamic Institute of Orange County, stressed that we should focus on our obligations rather than our rights because Allah will question us about our obligations and responsibilities to others.

Faqih also mentioned that a follow-up session about the Qur’anic perspective and prophetic sayings and actions on marriage will be held in early March.