Moderation in spending on marriage ceremonies

The types of moderation are multiplied in Islam to prove precisely its easiness and tolerance that is characterized by.

This moderation is not only confined to one way but it encompasses our life to be moderate and through which the features of Islam are highlighted. As Islam called for moderation in everything, it discarded and forbade extravagance and wastefulness as well as the means which lead to; here is one of its type:

Spending on marriage and its ceremonies along with other abhorred types of spending which generate hatred in the hearts of many people of those who find nothing to spend.

These amazing appearances which many people do such as overestimated spending of (decoration and fun, absurdness and madness, bands, music, dancers, and food and drink.) along with other things are prohibited by Shari`ah.

As for the causes of prohibition, they are as follows:

1- Extravagance and wastefulness in things that are prohibited by Shari`ah.

2- Violation to the prohibition of musical instruments and singers.

3- These ceremonies contain prohibited mixture between sexes and will result in consequences that are prohibited by Shari`ah.

4- Exposure of one's wife so that people could look at her which is prohibited.

5- The company of devils because of the tools and weapons of Satan (as reported in the Hadith).

6- Turning away from Allah (may He be Exalted) and whoever is away from Allah should not expect good and blessings from Him?

7- Wasting of people's rights.

All these appearances are mere wastefulness and extravagance with no avail which are meant only for boasting and show off. However, the truth is: what has been spent on these decorations is a wasted money that was spent inopportunely.

The one who wastes money in that way is sinful and if he spends this money in a way of good, it will be better, moreover its doer shall be rewarded. Allah (Glory be to Him) prohibited extravagance and wasting of money in things that Allah made lawful, what about if extravagance and wastefulness were in things that He prohibited? Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying [and going round (the Tawâf of) the Ka'bah,] and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allâh) likes not Al-Musrifûn (those who waste by extravagance)." [Surat Al A`raf: 31].

Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "And give to the kinsman his due and to the Miskîn (needy) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. * Verily, the spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayâtîn (devils), and the Shaitân (Devil-Satan) is ever ungrateful to his Lord." [Surat Al Isra': 26- 27]. Allah (may He be Exalted) says in Surat Al Furqan: "And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)." [Surat Al Furqan: 67].

Then, every person shall be held accountable for this money. It was reported in the Prophetic Hadith: "The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he has been questioned about [four things]: 1. His Life - How he spent it. 2. His Youth - How he used it. 3. His Wealth - From where he earned and how he spent it. 4. His Knowledge - What did he do with it." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy who said: a good and authentic Hadith]. This is not the way you should express your joy and happiness, O wrong doer, but joy and pleasure should be done through things that please Allah (may He be Exalted) such as making Walimah (food served for poor people) and invite the poor and the needy to it of those who deserve feeding and charity along with friends, relatives, neighbors, family, and the beloved ones; by this only joy and pleasure are complete. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "(Saying): "We feed you seeking Allâh's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you." [Surat Al Insan: 9].

Look at this side of extravagance! On the other hand, some poor can hardly find their daily living or may not find it in the first place, and may be in need to money to use it for treatment, to support someone, or for buying food, whereas the rich spend money here and there and when it is said to them: "spend in the way of Allah or give the poor and the needy," they become miser. They have forgotten that they are entrusted with money and the money is truly possessed by Allah. If they spend in the way of Allah, they will save money at Allah. And whoever saves his money at Allah, his money shall not be wasted but will be in continuous increase; and this pleases Allah (may He be Exalted).

I say: The channels of charity are numerous, so choose of it whatever you want and be keen to spend it for the sake of Allah away from hypocrisy and fame.