My husband-to-be is Singaporean and I am Malaysian. What should we decide about where to live before the akad?

Decide which country you will settle in, and how it affects work, money and family, before the day of the marriage contract (akad nikah), not after. A cross-border marriage brings questions that couples from the same country rarely face: who will move, what residence permit is needed, and where the children will go to school. Sit down together and list the options honestly, including the cost of living, job opportunities for the wife and the distance from each of your parents. Involve both families so that no one is surprised later. For legal requirements and residence permits, consult the authorities of the country concerned and the Islamic religious affairs office where the akad will take place. See Muslim families in Singapore.