KARACHI:
How regretful and pitiable is our condition today that we have cast aside the teachings of Islam and adopted the ways of others. We all spent huge amounts of our wealth on fatal marriage rituals with months of preparation for printing cards, collecting dowry, preparing gifts, and throwing a grand wedding party for hundreds of guests.
Everyone wants their wedding day to be special but spending millions of rupees only for ostentation has no concept in Islam. The sunnah way of a wedding is to perform Nikkah at a mosque and a simple Valima reception in the presence of close relatives. Islam makes weddings easy and affordable in contrast to man-made customs and traditions. However, traditionally, Pakistanis host several events as part of weddings where families can even go bankrupt and see their life savings disappear. Weddings in Pakistan are often lavish, but due to the ban on large public gatherings during the coronavirus outbreak, many couples opted for smaller weddings. Parents who are poor but feel pressure to host ostentatious weddings have also been able to save money. Moreover, the pandemic has given a break to the obligation of hosting large events that place unnecessary community pressure on future brides, grooms, and their parents to match modern trends.
The practice of having simple weddings should persist and society should embrace it. Let us maintain the beauty of a simple Nikkah and set an example for everyone. Let us marry our children with as much humbleness as our Prophet (peace be upon him) did, and revive the sunnah of simpler and easier weddings.
Quratulain Siddiqui
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2021.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
