Non-Shar‘i Customs at a Nikah

Question

Zayd and his entire family are devoted to unlawful rites and unbelievers’ customs. For this reason, in connection with the marriage contract and nikah there is dancing and singing, music, the wedding canopy, the henna ceremony, kaldwa (a local wedding custom) (?), the sehra (wedding garland), and, under the name of “removing the oil”, a tray of burning lamps is circled over the heads of the groom and bride. Rice, oil and the like are scattered over their heads.

Answer

Owing to extreme ignorance and an old custom, Zayd takes part in these things and does not consider it disbelief (kufr), and such is the state of the whole family. [ar]إِنَّا لِلَّهِ[/ar] “Indeed, we belong to Allah.” Nevertheless, Zayd and his family will not be declared unbelievers and apostates (murtadd)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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