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NIKAAH & SIMPLICITY
Simplicity in Weddings and Functions
On one occasion Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alay mentioned:
In the era of Rasulullah Salallahu Alayhi Wa Salam, the nikaahs used to be carried out with so much of ease and simplicity that we find that Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf Radiallahu Anhu got married, yet the news of his marriage did not even reach Nabi Alayhis Salaam. In this day and age, through the elaborate functions and high standards of nikaahs, people have made the issue of marriage very difficult. People have to bear much difficulty to get their daughters married on account of the high expenditure and unnecessary costs incurred in carrying out the nikaah. This results in many girls‟ nikaahs being delayed, despite them having reached the right age of nikaah. (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh)
Nikaah – An Extremely Easy Ibaadah in Deen
Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alay mentioned:
“I had arranged approximately sixteen to seventeen nikaahs (i.e.two of my own, my sister‟s, my children‟s and my grand children‟s).
In every marriage, Allah Ta‟ala blessed me with His grace to such an extent that one could not tell (on account of the simplicity) whether it was a nikaah or two rakaats of nafl Salaah.
Nikaah is an ibaadah which, unfortunately, people have converted into a calamity. (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh)
The Manner in which Nikaahs used to take Place in the Mubaarak Era of Rasulullah Salallahu Alayhi Wa Salam
Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alay once mentioned:
Ulama have written that there are two such ibaadaat which commenced with Hazrat Aadam Alayhis Salaam and will continue till Qiyaamah. In fact, they will remain in Jannah as well. The first is Imaan and the second is nikaah.
However, when we brought unnecessary and futile practices into our weddings then we have transformed this blessed Sunnah into a calamity. The love that the Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum Ajmaeen had for Rasulullah Salallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is evident and well known to all. Hazrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf Radiallahu Anhu was a well known Sahaabi. He was amongst the "Asharah Mubasharah" and one of the most dedicated Sahaabah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alayhi Wa Salam. Despite this honour to his name, let alone inviting Nabi Alayhis Salaam, he did not even inform Nabi Alayhis Salaam of his nikaah (due to nikaah being regarded as a simple affair).
How sad it is that we have complicated this blessed Sunnah with our customs and unfounded practices. In some places, the wedding procession leaves at the time of Salaah due to which the bridegroom, bride and the entire procession fail to perform their Salaah with jamaat or, even worse, miss out their Salaah
completely. May Allah Ta‟ala reform our ways and bless us with true guidance. (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh)
Customary Practices Introduced in Today’s Wedding Functions
Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alay once mentioned:
I am not in favour of the manner in which the wedding functions of today are conducted. People have unnecessarily made things difficult for themselves. One enlists the name of a person one wishes to invite; thereafter one remembers the next person and then the third. In this way, a lengthy list of the names of many people is written and one eventually holds an elaborate wedding function. Often this is all done for name and fame.
Hazrat Shaikh Rahmatullahi Alay then mentioned the incident of a wealthy Hindu Banya whose daughter was getting married. For name and fame, he gave each guest a gold coin. He thought to himself that he had made a name for himself and was now famous. When the guests were departing, he sat in a hidden place, waiting to hear the praises of the people as they left. As the people passed by, he heard one person saying: “He is so wealthy yet he is a miser. He only gave one gold coin whereas he could have given a little more through which we could benefit.”
He heard another person say something else and a third person criticizing him in another way. Each person condemned and criticized the gift. After hearing all of this, the Hindu Banya put his hands on his head and said, “Now I have seen the reality and true outcome of such elaborate functions. Despite my warmth,
hospitality and generosity, instead of praising me, all I heard and received was criticism.” (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh)
Elaborate Wedding Functions
Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alay once mentioned:
I always had a natural aversion for elaborate wedding functions. My friends and close associates are witness to the fact that I sometimes receive 200 to 250 guests at my home and at times, even more than that. Large degs (pots) of food are prepared for my guests. However, whenever a wedding function was held at my home, then I cannot recall even one deg of food being prepared for the guests on account of the simplicity of the nikaah. (i.e. which was in conformity to the Mubaarak Sunnah of Rasulullah Salallahu Alayhi Wa salam).
(Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh)
The Gifts given to the Daughter at the time of her Nikaah
Regarding giving gifts to one‟s daughter at the time of her nikaah, Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Rahmatullahi Alay expressed his feelings and sentiments in the following words:
“At the time of my daughters‟ nikaahs, I had given them some shawls, duvets and beddings which were of a good quality. Together with that, if there is a need, then I am not opposed to one giving his daughter the necessary dishes, utensils and cutlery. Giving jewellery to one‟s daughter is also good; however one should be more concerned of the weight and value of the jewellery rather than the workmanship, since if there is a need for her to sell the jewellery to purchase necessary items, she may do so.
Nevertheless, one should bear in mind that each person should give according to his means.” (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh)
