Faizel Patel, 2016-03-08
Marriage is an exciting time in a Muslims life especially if it’s the parent’s first son or daughter that will be tying the knot.
While many parents want to have a memorable occasion with an extended programme that includes nasheed’s qiraats and advices, the function can become prolonged and have an impact on people that attend the reception.
Speaking to Radio Islam, esteemed scholar Moulana Sulaiman Moola says a number of factors must be considered during weddings and walimah’s.
“The Quran teaches us that as a guest you should arrive at an invite when the food is prepared. So time and diligence and being prompt with an invite is integral, pivotal and vital.”
Moulana Moola also reiterates while guests honour, respect and grace the walimah with their presence, the host of the function needs to be sensitive to the other engagements of people, saying Islam has put great focus on him to accommodate the needs of the guests and not unduly inconvenience them.
“It is surely your big day, you emotional and excited and you would love your guests to spend the entire afternoon with you, but for the guests it is simply another Sunday in which they are slotting the walimah into their schedule of the day and have to juggle things to be present at your function and attend to other commitments.”
He says many people decline invitations due to fear of a lengthy event.
“So if we do want to have some added programme so that we don’t impose on those that need to excuse themselves and we don’t trap them because of the food and keep them waiting, the most correct thing would be firs serve the meals and thereafter say there will be some added items which we would like to share and then leave them at liberty to remain if they choose to remain.”
Moulana Moola has also placed great emphasis on the non-conducive and un-Islamic environment of some weddings and walimah’s
“The environment is not conducive as much we endeavour and probably we claim that it’s segregated and it is modest and filled with morality. But surely people are not all that modestly dressed, so why show a sense of disregard to the sanctity of the words of Allah and his Nabi (PBUH) during the recital of the Quran, people are itching, people are restless. Definitely this is not the way it should be done.”
He recommends that if people want to have a programme, it should rather be held in the masjid.
“The masjid is somewhat conducive, accommodating, people are focused and attentive, but when we look at the hall setup, then surely the same dynamics do not apply.”
Moulana Moola reiterates that with the number of crises in marriages in recent times, it’s pertinent to reflect and introspect on how people host weddings and walimah’s.
0 Comments