Keep 'nikaahs' simple: Muslim law board

The next time you go to a nikah (Muslim wedding) or walima (reception), chances are you might find the DJ missing, the dastarkhwan (food) less elaborate and the overall arrangement rather austere. That is if Muslims follow the guidelines laid out by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

The Islah-e-Ma’ashra (social reforms committee) of the AIMPLB finalised these guidelines at the Board’s meeting held here last week. Among other things related to a common Muslim’s social life, the committee focused on how Muslims were organising their weddings. Several Board members expressed grave concern over the pomp and show, giving of dowry and wasteful expenditure.

The AIMPLB is telling Muslims to organise the nikah only in mosques. Under the new guidelines finalised by the Islah-e-Ma’ashra, both giving and accepting jahez (dowry) would be considered un-Islamic. Muslims are also being told to organise weddings and receptions with utmost sobriety.

The timing couldn’t have been better. Muslim weddings will begin after the mourning period of Muharram is over on December 28.

“The idea is to maintain the gravity of the occasion and to ensure minimum financial burden on the bride’s family,” says Maulana Wali Rahmani, AIMPLB secretary and convenor of the Islah-e-Ma’ashra, who presented the committee’s report. “Doing the nikah at mosques seems the only practical way of prohibiting unnecessary display of riches and glamour,” he says.

“Muslims should lead a life of simplicity, austerity and honesty and present an example of being good citizens,” says Begum Naseem Iqtidar Ali, the lone woman member of the AIMPLB executive. “The waves of western culture are destroying our tehzeeb… DJs, dance and even drinks have become a part of Muslim weddings… it’s disgusting,” she says.

The Begum, who vehemently opposed dowry at the board meet, said: “I am appalled by Muslims who say they have the money so they don’t mind giving dowry… they don’t realise they are setting a bad example… it’s one of the worst social evils and we are trying to do away with it.”

As a definitive step in this direction, the AIMPLB would also be sensitising imams and qazis (Muslim clerics who conduct weddings) to spread awareness about such social reforms in the Muslim society.

The clerics are being asked to tell the people gathered before the nikah is solemnised about the virtues of not giving or accepting dowry, and the need to cut down on excessive expenditure.

“This campaign would be possible with the help of AIMPLB members, clerics and the Muslim intelligentsia,” a Board member said.

Lucknow’s ‘naib imam’ and AIMPLB member sums it up quite simply as he says: “According to Islam, the simplest wedding is the best wedding in the eyes of Allah.”