Nikah is the noblest Sunnah performed by Holy Prophet Muhammad (PB.U.H.) in his life. As we are the believers of Allah and belong to the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), we are obliged to follow his actions and words. He conveyed to all the believers that Nikah is that Sunnah which brings a believer closer to Imaan. Hence, it should be fulfilled with the most simplicity and performed without and pomp and extravaganza.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) said, “A woman is married for four things; her wealth, family status, beauty, and religion. Choose a religious woman if you want to prosper”. (Sahih Bukhari)
He also said, “When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks to marry your daughter, comply with his request. If you do not do so, there will be corruption and great evil on earth”. (Tirmidhi)
You see that the simple parameters of choosing a bride and a groom have already been told to us in Qur’an. Yet, we try to seek spouses to fulfil our worldly pleasures. Our first priority is wealth and beauty because those things are important for our social status. We think of Nikah as a business deal where the real Sunnah is covered by our greed.
As we deviate from the path of Sunnah, we continue to act blindly. We all spent huge amounts of our wealth on fatal marriage rituals and traditions that are man-made. Islam made marriage so easy, but we humans have the habit to err.
Allah clearly says in Qur’an in Surah Israa; Verse: 26-27
“And give the relative his right, and also the poor and the traveller, and do not spend wastefully”.
The Sunnah way of Islamic marriage is to perform the Nikah in a Mosque with simplicity and in the presence of very close relatives. The family of both the bride and groom can feed the poor and any traveller who crosses by. There is no need of months of preparation for printing cards, collecting dowry, preparing gifts in dozens, and throwing a grand Walima party.
We all need to realize that the Sunnah made by Allah should be performed in the manner told by Him only. We need to share this message with the whole of Ummah. Let us maintain the beauty of a simple Nikah and set an example for everyone. Let us marry our children with as much humbleness as our Prophet (P.B.U.H.) did. If somebody has to take an initiative, then why not you?