Salams
This topic has been on my mind for a while now but I haven't really found the the time to write it up properly as a blog post. This is why I decided to post it up here, so we can view some different opinions and views on the matter as well.
Mendhi or Mehndi parties seem to be a very common part of the wedding preparations or celebrations in asian culture. As time has gone by they have been perceived by some as being an Islamic thing.
In some cases Muslims can spend large sums of money on these Mehndi parties (for sure some people have probably had even cheaper weddings). In my youth I recall a friend telling me of a Mendhi where a hall was hired for the occasion, music was played, men and women freely mixed and dancing even took place. Whilst most may not go this extreme, they instead have a video showing the blushing bride as she has Mendhi applied to her uncovered lower legs and arms. This video is then circulated amongst the hands of all and sundry of her family and friends circle, and therefore inevitably watched by many non mahrams to the bride.
What really worried me and caused me to consider writing a piece on the subject was that I was informed that on one occasion because the bride had mendhi on her hands, she saw fit to perform tayammum only and then performed her salaah. Another incident mentioned that the bride performed her Isha salaah before Isha time actually commenced because the lady to apply mendhi had arrived and previously recommended to her it needs to be on for so many hours to give proper colour.
The purpose of Mendhi, I assume, on this occasion is to beautify oneself for their future husband. How can one ever displease Allah swt by flouting His command and sacred laws for the sake of pleasing her future husband? In any case, is there no workable solution where one can put mendhi on without compromising their obligations to the deen? Here I will stop and invite you to leave your comments, stories, views and criticisms regarding what I have written above.
Wasalam
