Wedding of faatimah radhiyallahu anhaa
F�timah radhiyallahu anh� is the youngest daughter of our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Out of all the children, she was the most beloved to him. He said, "The queen of the ladies in Jannah is F�timah." He also said, "F�timah is part of my body. Whoever grieves her, grieves me."
When F�timah radhiyallahu anh� reached the age of fifteen, proposals for her marriage began to come from high and responsible families. But the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam remained irresponsive.
Ali radhiyallahu anhu, who was 21 at the time, says: It occurred to me that I should go and make a formal proposal, but then I thought, "How could this be accomplished, for I possess nothing." At last, encouraged by the Prophet's kindness, I went to him and expressed my intention to marry F�timah radhiyallahu anh�. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was extremely pleased and asked, "Ali! Do you possess anything to give her in mahr?" I replied, "Apart from a horse and an armour I possess nothing."
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "A soldier must, of course, have his horse. Go and sell away your armour."
So, Ali radhiyallahu anhu went and sold his armour to Uthm�n radhiyallahu anhu for 480 Dirham and presented it to Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Bil�l radhiyallahu anhu was ordered by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam to bring some perfume and a few other things and Anas radhiyallahu anhu was sent to call Abu Bakr, Uthm�n, Talhah, Zubayr with some companions from the Ans�r radhiyallahu anhum.
When these men arrived and had taken their seats, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam recited the khutbah (sermon) of nik�h and gave F�timah radhiyallahu anh� in marriage to Ali radhiyallahu anhu. He announced, "Bear you all witness that I have given my daughter F�timah in marriage to Ali for 400 mithq�l of silver and Ali has accepted." He then raised his head and made du'� saying, "O Allah, create love and harmony between these two. Bless them and bestow upon them good children." After the nik�h, dates were distributed.
When the time came for F�timah radhiyallahu anh� to go to Ali's radhiyallahu anhu house, she was sent without any clamour, hue and cry accompanied by Umme Ayman radhiyallahu anh�. After the 'Eesh� Sal�t, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam went to their house, took permission and entered. He asked for a basin of water, put his blessed hands into it and sprinkled it on both Ali radhiyallahu anhu and F�timah radhiyallahu anh� and made du'� for them.
The sovereign of both worlds gave his beloved daughter a silver bracelet, two Yemeni sheets, four mattresses, one blanket, one pillow, one cup, one hand-grinding mill, one bedstead, a small water skin and a leather pitcher.
In this simple fashion, the wedding of the daughter of the leader of both the worlds was solemnized. In following this Sunnah method, a wedding becomes very simple and easy to fulfill.
Some points derived from the above mentioned marriage
- The many customs as regards engagement are contrary to Sunnah. In fact, many are against the Sharee'ah and are regarded sins. A verbal proposal and answer is sufficient.
- To unnecessarily delay nik�h of both the boy and the girl after having reached the age of marriage is incorrect.
- There is nothing wrong in inviting one's close associates for the occasion of nik�h. However, no special pains should be taken in gathering the people from far off places.
- It is appropriate that the bridegroom be a few years older than the bride.
- If the father of the girl is an �lim or pious and capable of performing nik�h, then he should himself solemnize the marriage.
- It is better to give the Mahr F�timi and one should endeavour to do so. But if one does not have the means then there is nothing wrong in giving less.
- It is totally un-Isl�mic for those, who do not possess the means, to incur debts in order to have grandiose weddings.
- It is fallacy to think that one's respect will be lost if one does not hold an extravagant wedding and invite many people. What is our respect compared to that of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam?
- The present day practice of the intermingling of sexes is an act of sin and totally against Sharee'ah.
- There is nothing such as engagement parties and mendhi parties in Isl�m.
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Great care must be taken as regards to Sal�t on occasions of marriage by all - the bride, the bridegroom and all the participants.
- It is un-Isl�mic to display the bride on stage.
- The unnecessary expenses incurred by the bride's family in holding a feast has no basis in Sharee'ah.
- For the engaged couple to meet at a public gathering where the boy holds the girl's hand and slips a ring on her finger is a violation of the Qur'�nic law of hij�b.
- It is un-Isl�mic for the engaged couple to meet each other and also go out together.
- Three things should be borne in mind when giving one's daughter gifts and presents at the time of nik�h:
i) Presents should be given within one's means (it is not permissible to take loans, on interest, for such presents);
ii) To give necessary items;
iii) A show should not be made of whatever is given. - It is Sunnah for the bridegroom's family to make waleemah.
NOTE: In waleemah, whatever is easily available should be fed to the people and care should be taken that there is no extravagance, show and that no debts are incurred in the process. - To delay nik�h after the engagement is un-Isl�mic.
Some customs
Muslims have adopted many customs which are un-Isl�mic and frowned upon.
Some examples are:
i Displaying the bride on stage;
ii Inviting guests for the wedding from far-off places;
iii Receiving guests in the hall;
iv The bride's people incurring unnecessary expenses by holding a feast which has no basis in
Sharee'ah. We should remember that waleemah is the feast arranged by the bridegroom after the marriage is consummated;
v It is contrary to Sunnah (and the practice of some non-Muslim tribes in India) to wish, hope for or demand presents and gifts for the bridegroom, from the bride's people. We should always remember that our Nabee sallallahu alayhi wasallam did not give Ali radhiyallahu anhu anything except du'�.
Copyright � 2008 Islamic Da'wah Academy
Source: http://www.idauk.org/
