Wedding Traditions

By Mufti Muhammad Kadwa
Posted: 18 Zul-Hijjah 1422, 3 March 2002

Q.) I'm from Pakistan and am insha-Allah getting married in a few months. As you will be familiar, in Pakistan, during wedding, a lot of different 'Rasoomaat' have been performed apart from the essentials, which as I know are:

Nikah (preferably between Zuhur and Asr)
Witnesses of Nikah,
Mehr,
Valima,
A small dowry (jahez) which should contain only important usable items for bride.

Can you please tell me, is there any thing else in Shariat which should be done? My Family does not perform Mehndi, etc, but with that they think other things could be done e.g: Giving 'Baree' (which contain some dresses including wedding dress, and jewellry to bride). Some other rasoomaat, which are pure traditional, etc.

If Prophet Muhammed Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam didn't do these in his marriages, are we allowed and can we do that?, and if we can't and still the elders of family allow them, should I oppose them?

I'm in great confusion now a days due to that and some times think of refusing to get married if the family insist on doing ANY thing other than sunnah. Please clear that, May Allah give you Jaza'e Khair. [Fahad Faridi]

A) Yes, a number of 'Rasoomat' are carried out traditionally in the Indo-pak sub-continent on occasions of Nikah, etc.

Due to the close ties of Muslims to Hindus, a number of Hindu customs have seeped into Muslims and should be avoided at all costs. You should approach your family members politely first and explain the impermissibility of their actions. If they insist, then you may put your foot down and employ other means of persuasion. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

CHECKED AND APPROVED: Moulana Imraan Vawda