When Nabeel met Nadia…..an Islamic wedding part 1

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As the postman drops the 10th wedding invitation through the letterbox, I know for sure that the wedding season is here. I am always excited and ready to share in the happiness of the new couple to be and their family.

So ok. The couple, the family and the venues might change but the routine is always the same. Big expenditure on the part of both families. Big competition in the wedding attires, hired limousines, venues , presents for the new couple, photographers, make-up artists, live bands, flower arrangements, wedding menu, jewellery for the bride, presents for his/her families and the list carries on.

On some instances even thrones are in place for the young couple to sit on and be admired. The young couple hardly ever gets asked what they really want for themselves. As per Islamic manner very often they hardly get the chance to converse extensively prior to the wedding. Instead the in-laws get tangled in endless discussions, arrangements and a great expenditure extravaganza. And they also get themselves and the young couple in big financial debts. Debts that might take months or even years ro clear. If you think about it as the average  wedding day lasts between 5-7 hours and if you calculate the cost invlolved you will come to the conclusion that every hour costs hundreds of dollars, euros, pounds.

Instead of saving  for the young couples future money is often burned as fireworks. Oh, I forgot to also mention the fireworks that finish the wedding celebrations with a Bang.

I often think, “What is this all for?” Is there confusion somewhere? Is this an Islamic wedding? Or is it some cultural folklore disguised as an Islamic wedding? How many other people feel and understand the same as me? Are the endless waste of money and effort for the purpose of ensuring true happiness and Allah’s blessings for the young couple? I am afraid not.

This is the most important day of a young couple’s new life together. The day that they need Allah’s blessings more than any other day. That’s the day the families decide to bend ‘the rules’. “Is anybody following the sunnah trying to arrange this event?” I often ask. Not to mention the relatives in attendance that they often get upset with the whole wedding set up.

As Muslims we must follow the Qur’an and the sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saws).

Let’s look at the way our prophet lived his life and follow his example. Let’s look at the way he contacted his affairs and what the ceremonies of his own weddings were like.

What an Islamic wedding should be like? Should it be an event to please God or man?

To be continued in part 2 to follow soon.