Etiquettes of Rejoicing (2/2)

4- Invite others to join your celebrations of joy and similarly participate in the rejoicings of others to enhance their feelings of happiness. Exchange messages of felicitation on occasions of joy.

When the repentance of Hadrat Ka'b b. Malik (Allah be pleased with him) was accepted by God and the Muslims, got news of this fact, they came in crowds to offer congratulations to Hadrat Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him). They expressed their unbounded joy. Hadrat Ka'b was so deeply impressed by the felicitation and expressions of rejoicing displayed by Hadrat Talha (Allah be pleased with him) that its memory never faded all through his life. In his old age Hadrat Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him) related the case of his trial and repentance to his son 'Abdullah and especially mentioned about Hadrat Talha's (Allah be pleased with him) expressions of joy.' He remarked: "I can never forget Talha's manner of felicitation and feelings of joy".

The Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on conveying to Ka'b (Allah be pleased with him) the glad tidings of the acceptance of his repentance expressed his personal feelings of exceeding joy and observed: "Ka'b, this is the happiest day of thy life.” (Reported by Riyad-us-Salihin)

On occasions of marriage or birth of a child or on similar events of joy, in the homes of other people, join in their celebrations and congratulate them on that happy occasion.

Hadrat Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to congratulate the newly-wedded in these words:

"May the Lord keep you in prosperity and confer His blessings upon both of you and may He grant you the favour of living together in perfect harmony". (Reported by Tirmidhi)

On one occasion Hadrat Husain (Allah be pleased with him) instructed someone to congratulate others on the birth of a child in the following manner;

"May God grant you grace in this gift. May God grant you the favour of offering gratitude to Him. May God develop this child into a full-blended youth and raise him submissive to you".

5- When a near relative or an acquaintance returns from a long journey, go and welcome him and express your feelings of joy on his safe return and successful conclusion of his mission. If he holds a function to celebrate the happy occasion of his safe return from the journey, go and join the party. On the other hand, when you return home safe from your travels and arrange a function to celebrate the occasion, invite your near relatives to the party. However, you must avoid unnecessary expense or ostentatious and lavish display. Do not incur expenditure which is beyond your average means. When the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) returned from the battle of Tabuk, the Muslim men and children had advanced to Thaniyyat-ul-Wada’ to receive him (Peace and blessings of Allah he upon him). (Reported by Abu Dawud)

When the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) migrated from Mecca and reached Medina and prepared to enter the city from the southern side, the Muslim men, women, boys and girls came out of their homes to greet him (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The small girls of the Ansar were singing these happy songs:

"Today, the moon arose upon us from the southern hill, Thaniyyatul Wada’.[1] It is our duty to offer thanks for the call and teaching of the Apostle who invited us towards God. Prophet! Who has been sent among us, you have brought such a religion that we will bear allegiance to it.”

Once on his return to Medina from a journey, the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) slaughtered a camel and a cow and arranged a feast for the people. (Reported by Abu Dawud)

6- Celebrate the occasions of marriage with great joy and happiness and invite your relatives and friends to participate in the celebration of the happy event. The Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) permitted singing and playing of music especially "duff” on weddings. This injunction is meant to serve a two-fold purpose; the fulfillment of the feelings of joy and the public announcement and propagation of the news of wedding.

Hadrat ‘A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) married one of her female relations to a man from the Ansar. At the time of the departure of the bride, the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: “Why didn't these people send a slave-girl with her to play duff and sing some songs on the way." (Reported by Bukhari)

On the occasion of the wedding of Hadrat Rabi' bint Mu’avvidh (Allah be pleased with her), some girls were sitting with her and playing on 'duff’. They were singing some verses in praise of their fathers who had attained martyrdom in the battle of Badr. One of the girls recited this Line: "And there is a Prophet in our midst who knows what is to happen tomorrow". On hearing this, the Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: "Leave it out and sing those verses which you were singing before.” (Reported by Bukhdri)

7- On the happy occasions of wedding, arrange a feast for your relatives and friend3 according to your position and means. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) established the precedent of arranging 'Walima' feasts on his own marriages and enjoined upon others to follow the same practice. The Holy Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed:

“If nothing else, slaughter a goat and serve its meat to guests.” (Reported by Bukhari)

If for some reason you cannot attend a wedding party, do send a message of congratulations. The practice of exchanging gifts on nuptials, weddings and on similar occasions of joy renews and deepens the relationships and augments love and lends warmth to it. Nonetheless be careful to send gifts of the value which your means can afford and by restraining your feelings of sincerity and love, avoid ostentatious display.