The Sunnat Way of Marriage
Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu) very bashfully approached Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) for the great wealth of the daughter of Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu) made his marriage proposal for the hand of Hadhrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu anha) directly to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam). The Command of Allah was immediately revealed and Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) accepted the proposal.
The rigmarole, frills and fancies attendant to proposals and engagements were totally absent. The customs surrounding marriage proposals and engagements nowadays are nonsensical and at variance as well as in conflict with the Sunnah.
At the time of marriage the age of Hadhrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu anha) was fifteen and a half years and that of Hadhrat Ali was twenty one years. After accepting Hadhrat Ali’s proposal, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) ordered Hadhrat Anas (Radhiyallahu anhu): “O Anas! Go and call Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan, Talhaa, Zubair and a group from among the Ansaar.”
It is clear from this example set by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) that the Nikah ceremony was being arranged with the greatest of simplicity and without any fanfare. No special gathering, venue, time, etc. was contemplated nor was any hue and cry raised about the Nikah which was about to be conducted. It is thus Sunnah to merely gather one’s close relatives and others, without creating a hubbub and proceed with the Nikah quietly and with dignity, i.e. without the accompaniment of the multitude of un-Islamic and haraam customs and activities so rife in Muslim marriages of today.
The people sent for by Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam) presented themselves and Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) recited a khutbah and performed the Nikah. From the example, it is clear that the most suitable to perform the Nikah is the father of the bride.
The Mehr (dowry) was fixed at 400 mithqaal of silver, which is equal to 49.2137 troy ounces of silver. This is now known as Mehr-e-Faatimi. It is therefore Sunnat to adopt the practice of Mehr-e-Faatimi.
After the Nikah Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sent Hadhrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu anha) to Hadhrat Ali’s home in the company of Hadhrat Umme Aiman (Radhiyallahu anha). This was the simplicity which accompanied the departure of the Princess of both worlds, from her father’s home to her new home. The nonsensical and un-Islamic customs of present-day marriages were totally non-existent.
Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu) thereafter fulfilled the Sunnat of the Walimah feast. This too was nothing lavish or sumptuous. Like every facet of Islamic life, the Walimah feast was likewise an embodiment of simplicity. The following were the food served at the Walimah: some cornbread, some dates and some sweetmeats. Thus, the Sunnat method of the Walimah is to arrange the affair with simplicity. There should be no elaborate arrangements and customs. A few close relatives and friends should be called and whatever one can serve with ease and without any fuss, should be prepared. It is also Sunnat to include some poor persons in the Walimah.
(From The Majlis Archives)