Weddings


Marriage in Islam


The word “zawj” is used in the Qur’an to mean a pair or a mate. In general it usage refers to marriage. The general purpose of marriage is that the sexes can provide company to one another, love to one another, procreate children and live in peace and tranquility to the commandments of Allah.


In order to achieve this great goal of strengthening the marriage bond, and establishing a stable family life, it is essential to choose the right partner in the first place.


“A woman is married for (one of) four reasons: her wealth, her status, her beauty and her religious devotion. So marry the religious woman, else you be a loser.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)


Marriage (nikah) is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom. Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract.


Marriage is a major step in one’s life. It’s a matter of great responsibility that should by no mean be taken lightly.surely, it’s worth swimming against the tides that go against Allah’s command and the example set by the Prophet (SAW).


Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made it his tradition (sunnah) to have marriage sermon delivered in the assembly to solemnize the marriage. The sermon invites the bride and the groom, as well as the participating guests in the assembly to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness, and social responsibility.


The Khutbah-tun-Nikah begins with the praise of Allah. His help and guidance is sought. The Alim officiating the marriage ceremony concludes the ceremony with prayer (Dua) for bride, groom, their respective families, the local Muslim community, and the Muslim community at large (Ummah)


Marriage (nikah) is considered as an act of worship (ibadah). It is virtuous to conduct it in a Mosque keeping the ceremony simple. The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations.


Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) considered simple weddings the best weddings:


‘The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed”. (Mishkat)


Primary Requirements

  1. 1. Mutual agreement by the bride and the groom
  2. 2. Two adult and sane witnesses
  3. 3. Mahr (marriage-gift) to be paid by the groom to the bride.

Secondary Requirements

  1. 1. Legal guardian (wakeel) representing the bride
  2. 2. Written marriage contract signed by the bride and the groom and witnesses by two adult and sane witnesses
  3. 3. Alim & Member (President or it’s representative) from the community.
  4. 4. Khutba-tun-Nikah to solemnize the marriage

Customs, Rituals & Traditions


Remember, simple is beautiful! There has been a lot of discussion towards the wedding ceremonies that take place in our communities. Nowadays, we seem to have been so caught up in rituals and customs that we tend to waste enormous amounts of money and time on things that simply aren’t needed. Nikah and walimah are both sunnahs (traditions) of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), so doesn’t it make sense to try to commemorate these occasions in the same fashion as he did?


I’m sure many of us loan large sums of money just so we can host fancy receptions for our weddings. Or even if we spend extravagant amounts of our own money, it’s sad because there are so many better uses for our hard-earned money. After all, the amount of money spent on the ceremony has no positive effect on the life of the couple. The Prophet (SAW) is reported to have said:


“The marriage which is most greatly blessed is the one which is the lightest in burden [expense]"


Quite simply, a marriage in Islam is solemnized by a nikah (marriage contract) and a waleemah (marriage feast) that follows once the marriage has been consummated.


"The worst of the feasts are those marriage feasts to which the rich are invited and the poor are left out”.


The walimah is simply a dinner to celebrate the marriage, since marriage is, after all, a joyous occasion.The nikah can be held at the local masjid or at home, while the walimah can be anywhere: one’s apartment, backyard, or basement, the local masjid, a park, a restaurant, a community center, or anywhere else.


Anas (RA) describes one of the walimahs hosted by the Prophet (SAW):


“The Prophet stayed for three days at a place between Khaibar and Medina, and there he consummated his marriage with Safiyya bint Huyay (RA). I invited the Muslims to a banquet which included neither meat nor bread. The Prophet (SAW) ordered for the leather dining sheets to be spread, and then dates, dried yogurt and butter were provided over it, and that was the Walima (banquet) of the Prophet (SAW).” (Reported by Bukhari)


It can be difficult to swim against the tide of fancy and extravagant marriages, but surely, it’s worth swimming against the tides that go against Allah’s command and the example set by the Prophet (SAW).


Let’s save all that money and keep it for better uses. That money is sure to be in demand once the honeymoon is over and the actual daily routine sets in. If we do that with the right intention, we’ll end up saving money and at the same time, we’ll be adding to our good-deed account as well. After all, who can’t use some extra cash, some extra good deeds, and a greatly blessed marriage (since the most greatly blessed marriage is the one that lightest in expense)?


Allah subahanwa’tala said in Quran, Follow me and My Messanger if you love me, Allah will love you too! Why are we so hesitant and reluctant to follow what the greatest personality of this universe did?!


Rather we blindly follow the stupid and pathetic traditions in our wedding ceremonies! The acts of Jahliya, the acts of Shamelessness and the acts which leads to fitnah can never make your marriage successful and blessed!


Dont obey your culture or your desires, dont follow your society Rather obey and follow the Golden path shown by Allah and His prophet peace be upon him.