Weddings Without Extravagance

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, who says in His Book: إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ Indeed, He does not like the extravagant [Quran 7:31] I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that our master and prophet, Sayyidina Muhammad is His Messenger, who said: أَعْظَمُ النِّسَاءِ بَرَكَةً أَيْسَرُهُنَّ صَدَاقًا The most blessed women are those who are most easygoing in their dowry [Mustadrak: 2732] O Allah, send your peace and blessings upon him, his family, his companions, and all of those who follow his guidance in the best of ways. To continue: وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّكُمْ مُلَاقُوهُ And fear Allah, and know that you will meet Him [Quran 2:223]. O Believers: Allah says: وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا ‌لِتَسْكُنُوا ‌إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً And among His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy [Quran 30:21]. Indeed, one of the greatest objectives and purposes of marriage is to achieve tranquillity and to sustain happiness. Among the things that help in achieving this is moderation in wedding expenses and balance in the costs of marriage. O intelligent youth, be moderate in the costs of your marriage. Do not overburden yourselves with expenses beyond your capacity, or seek to outdo others in extravagance. Rather, follow the guidance of your Prophet and the advice of your leaders. Many families have started with lavish weddings and ostentatious ceremonies, which resulted in financial obligations leading to psychological pressures and marital disputes. Be wise and prudent, do not let what you spend in hours burden you with debt for years. O wise parents, do not think that honouring a woman lies in the grandeur of her wedding. Rather, her honour lies in the continuity of good companionship and the excellence of her treatment. Allah says: وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ And live with them in kindness [Quran 4:19]. The high costs of marriage are not proof of the woman's high status or the dignity of her family. Instead, making the marriage easy is an indication of her blessing and good fortune. The Prophet said: إِنَّ مِنْ يُمْنِ الْمَرْأَةِ تَيْسِيرَ خِطْبَتِهَا، وَتَيْسِيرَ صَدَاقِهَا Indeed, one of the signs of a woman's blessing is the ease of her engagement and the ease of her dowry [Musnad Ahmad]. How beautiful it is to take this prophetic guidance as a beacon for us and to establish a culture of economy and moderation in our wedding celebrations. As Allah says: O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you [Quran 4:59]. I say this and ask Allah for forgiveness for myself and for you. The Second Sermon All praise is due to Allah alone, and may peace and blessings be upon him after whom there is no other prophet, and upon his family, companions, and those who follow his guidance. O Servants of Allah: Reducing the costs of marriage is a practical manifestation of patriotism and loyalty to our traditions and customs. Since the time of its founder, Sheikh Zayed, may Allah give peace his soul, our wise leadership has been keen to instill this principle in society until it becomes a communal custom among all its members. Sheikh Zayed, may Allah give peace to his soul, said: Exorbitant dowries, extravagance in wedding celebrations, and everything that burdens the youth are unjustifiable and do not align with the principles of our noble Sharia, let alone contradicting our authentic traditions and customs.” Therefore, let us ensure that our weddings are free from extravagance and that our celebrations are devoid of pride and ostentation, so that they may be blessed. Let us be among those who Allah says: إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا ‌لَمْ ‌يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَامًا When they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes) [Quran 25:67]. O Allah, send Your blessings and peace upon our master and Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions. O Allah, be pleased with the Rightly Guided Caliphs and all the noble companions. O Allah, perpetuate security and stability upon the UAE, grant it progress and prosperity, and spread mercy and peace throughout the world. O Allah, guide the President of the State, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, his deputies, his brothers, the rulers of the Emirates, and his trustworthy Crown Prince to what You love and are pleased with. O Allah, have mercy on Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid, the founding leaders, Sheikh Maktoum, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, and admit them by Your grace to Your vast Gardens. Encompass the martyrs with Your mercy and forgiveness. O Allah, have mercy on the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, the living among them and the dead. Servants of Allah: Remember Allah, the Great and Glorious, and He will remember you. Be grateful for His blessings, and He will increase you in them. And establish the prayer.