The Islamic Message

Rulings of NIKAH in ISLAM!!

Do hear the above Nasheed it's my most Favourite Nasheed.
Read once Durood on Prophet (S.A.W.S) and then start reading!
BISMILLAH-HIR-REHMAN-NIR-RAHEEM

In Islam, the institution of marriage is a sacred, yet a a simple one.

It is a sacred because it is an act of worship and it's simple because our role model, the Prophet (S.A.W.S), always kept it simple.

Marriage is a major step in one's life. It is a matter of great responsibility that should by no means be taken lightly. Quite simply, a marriage in Islam is a solemnised by a Nikah (a marriage contract) and a Walimah (marriage feast). Nikah constitutes a proposal from one party (Eejab) and acceptance from the other (Qubool) in the presence of witnesses. Walimah is simply a party given by the bridegroom. It is compulsory for the bridegroom to bear the cost of the feast. Walimah is important as it lets every body know that the girl is lawfully living in the house.
On the occasions of Nikah and Walimah, long speeches and an elaborate program are not required.
Remember, simple is beautiful!

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 (S.A.W.S), so doesn't it make sense to try to commemorate the occasions in the same fashion as he did?

Anas (R.A) describes one of the Walimahs hosted by the Prophet (S.A.W.S):
"The Prophet (S.A.W.S) stayed for three days at a place between Khaibar and Madinah, and there he married Safiyya bint Huyay (R.A). He invited the Muslims to a banquet which included neither meat nor bread. The Prophet (S.A.W.S) ordered for the leather dining sheets to be spread, and then dates, dried yogurt and butter were served on it, and that was the Walimah (banquet) of the Prophet (S.A.W.S)." (Reported in Bukhari)

Surely we have deviated far away from the teachings of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.S).
This Hadeeth above it doesn't mean that we can't eat meat or bread in our Walimah because during the time of Prophet (S.A.W.S) people use to eat foods differently also depending upon the country. But this just means and shows that not to waste food. Don't keep more than 1 or 2 dishes. Like we see buffet in Walimah, people want to show off hence they keep that, but what about the foods wasted?? Ever thought about that??? Millions innocent poor people are starving, they are happy even having one Chapati. Does that makes sense of wasting so much of food?? NOOO!!! You will have to answer Allah SWT even if you waste one grain of rice!!! BE CAREFUL WITH THE FOOD!!! We can keep dates in our menu, that becomes a sweet and we are also able to follow the Sunnah of Prophet (S.A.W.S), that's optional though, depends on people but to care and note the number of dishes is very important. Make sure you keep such amount that your food is not wasted!! Keep such limited things that people will eventually love having it!

Nowadays we see the bride's family hosting the marriage feast as a very common practice. Many of us loan large numbers of money so that we can host fancy receptions. It is sad because their 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 (S.A.W.S) is reported to have said, "The marriage which is most blessed is the one which is the lightest in burden (expense)."
For sure, marriage is an occasion to celebrate, but why to waste enormous amounts of money on a celebration? It's definitely not how our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.S) celebrated. In fact, wasting Allah SWT's bounties is something Allah SWT has warned us against in the Noble Qur'an in Surah An'aam chapter 6 verse 141:
"But waste not by excess: for Allah loves not the one who wastes."