Sunnah Method Of Marriage

16. Western, Modern Customs

The media is unfortunately influencing us in every aspect of our life. So much of effort, hardship and expense is undertaken, so that one can look ‘just like the picture of the couple’ as depicted on TV or in some novel.

1) Photography and videoing – Rasulullâh ﷺ has stated, “Angels (of mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a dog or where there are pictures.” (Bukhâri, Muslim) When these angels are kept away, how can one expect blessings to arise from such a marriage which is ‘blessed’ by shaytân? The other harm of this sin is that as long as the picture remains in existence, the person will be under divine displeasure. Other sins come to an end on one’s demise. However here, even after one has left this world, the harmful effects of the photos and films will continue to afflict one. In another hadith, Nabî ﷺ said, “Those who will be the most severely punished on the Day of Judgement will be the picture-makers.” (Bukhâri, Muslim) Nabi ﷺ has also mentioned, “Those people who make pictures will be given punishment on the Day of Judgement.” It will be said to them, “Infuse life into that which you made.” (Bukhâri, Muslim)

Special photographers are called on the day of nikah and walimah to video the whole ceremony and take pictures of the bride and the whole family. The male photographer is allowed to enter in the midst of all women and is also ordered to take pictures of the bride in different postures. Some have realized the harms of calling photographers, but photography still prevails through the medium of personal cameras and phones with cameras. They are only hiding their sins from people by not calling photographers, but they do not realize that Allah ta’ala is watching them violating His commandments. Moreover, the evil does not stop here, but CDs and albums of these pictures and videos are made, and those relatives who are non-mahram (with whom nikah is permissible) are given copies of these CDs. In some occasions videos and pictures of ladies functions are taken, wherein ladies who exercise strict hijâb are present. Their pictures are taken without their knowledge and viewed by non-mahrams with whom they were exercising strict hijâb. The act that is even more shameful is that parents show these videos and pictures to their young sons for them to choose their future wife. Even if these acts were not prohibited in Shari’ah, the modesty and bashfulness of a person with moderate thinking should stop him from such actions.

2) Music and dancing – Nabî ﷺ said, “Music creates hypocrisy in the heart just as water gives rise to crops.” (Mishkât)

Hadhrat Anas Ibne Mâlik, radiyallahu anhu, stated, “That person who sits to listen to the singing of an immoral woman, then Allâh ta’ala will pour molten lead into his ears on the Day of Judgement.” (Ibn Asâkir in his târîkh and Ibne-Sasri in his Amâli)

Nabi ﷺ said, “When my ummah become involved in 15 actions, then difficulties and trials will afflict them. When (1) booty will become a means of gathering money (2) trust will be regarded as booty (3) zakât will become a burden (4,5,6,7) men will follow their wives, disobey their mothers, be kind to their friends, and harsh to their fathers (8) voices will be raised in the masâjid (9) the worst of people will be leaders (10) the leader will become the lowest and most despised (11) people will be honored due to fear (12) alcohol will be drunk (13) silk will be worn (14) singing women and musical instruments will become common (15) the last people of this ummah will curse the people of past generations; at such a time, wait for red storms, sinking in the earth and the disfiguration of faces.” (Tirmidhi)

Hadhrat Abû Hurayrah, radiyallahu anhu, stated that Nabi ﷺ said, “In the last era, from my ummah, the faces of one group will be transformed into that of dogs and pigs.” The Sahâbah, radiyallahu anhum, said, “O messenger of Allâh, will these people be Muslims?” Nabi ﷺ replied, “Yes, they will bear witness of لا اله الا الله محمد رسول الله and they will fast.”
The Sahâbah, radiyallahu anhum, asked, “Why will this happen to them?” Nabi ﷺ answered, “They will be involved in the usage of musical instruments, have singing girls and will began using the drum. They will be involved in taking alcohol. One night they will be intoxicated in alcohol and merry-making, and the next morning their figure will be transformed.” (Ibn Hibbân)

Nabî ﷺ said that he had been sent to destroy musical instruments. (Abu Dâwud)

Besides this, there are many ahâdîth which show the prohibition of such songs which are immoral, futile and which incite the passions.