Five Tips for a Sunnah Wedding

By Tasnim Nazeer

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Congratulations to all those who are getting married or know someone who is about to complete half of their deen (religion)! Marriage is a blessing from Allah and with blessings come responsibilities to conduct a wedding that will be pleasing to the Creator. Here are some tips to guide those who are getting married. Allah willing, these will enable them to have a beautiful wedding in line with the Sunnah.

1. Include the Poor

Most of us forget that every event in our lives is a test from Allah. The marriage ceremony should include poor relatives as well as those who are well-off. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “The worst food is that of a wedding banquet to which only the rich are invited while the poor are not invited.” (Bukhari) Take inspiration from this authentic hadith and gain more blessings by inviting your relatives who are not so well-off; if you feel they will have problems travelling to the venue, you may arrange conveyance also. Your guests will appreciate your kind gesture and make sincere supplication for you and your spouse to have a blessed marriage, Allah willing. You could even choose to distribute leftover food to charity or feed the homeless on your wedding day.

2. Nikah in the Mosque

Nowadays, it is common for many couples to have the Nikah at the venue of the wedding reception. Most of us have forgotten the importance of conducting the Nikah in the mosque and that this is highly encouraged. Aishah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sa) said: “Publicize this marriage, and hold it in the mosque.” (Tirmidhi; reliable but odd) This authentic hadith informs us that the Nikah should not be conducted in secret. It also instructs to have the Nikah in the mosque, which is a blessed place.

3. Hold a Walima

The Prophet (sa) said: “Give a wedding banquet (Walima) even with one sheep.” (Bukhari) Having a Walima is part of the Sunnah. In another hadith, Anas reported:

“I saw the wedding feast of Zainab, and he (the Prophet [sa]) served bread and meat to the people, and made them eat to their heart’s content.” (Muslim) The point is to have the Walima even if it is a small-scale dinner for close family members.

4. Do not forego your obligatory prayers

With the wedding festivities in full swing, it is easy to get caught up and neglect praying salah. Whether you are the person getting married or a guest, ensure you pray salah on time. This will enable you to reap all the blessings from Allah (swt).

Make sure you perform and keep your ablution for the prayers that may fall in the middle of the function. Likewise, managers of the wedding venue can be requested to designate a prayer area for ladies and men also (if there is no mosque in the vicinity).

5. Segregation is key

Many weddings fail to realise the significance of segregation. When you have a joyous occasion of a marriage, women may adorn themselves and the bride herself looks beautiful on the day. However, they can only display this to their fellow sisters, close family members, and spouses. Intermixing should be avoided as per the guidance of the Qur’an: “Say to the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their modesty. That is purer for them, and Allah is aware of what they do. And say to the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty.” (Qur’an 24:30-31)

Ladies should also exercise caution in snapping digital photos of their female friends and family members without hijab unless they are absolutely sure that no male member of their families will see them.

Tasnim Nazeer is an award winning Freelance Journalist/Writer and Author who has written for a variety of print and online publications including CNN International, The Muslim News, Your Middle East, Islam Channel and many more. She was awarded The Muslim News Award for Excellence in Media 2013 and is an UN Universal Peace Federation Ambassador for Peace. For more information, visit her website at www.tasnimnazeer.com or follow her on Twitter: @tasnimnazeer1

Photo courtesy Alpha Prosperity Events http://www.alphaprosperity.com/