Wedding Practices
QUESTION:
The practice of social media updates such as, “Team Bride/Groom” or the countdown to the Nikaah ceremony, is rife within the Muslim community. Is this categorized as mimicking the Kuffaar?
ANSWER:
Islam prohibits us from following the ways and mannerisms of other religions and sects. Allah Ta’ala mentions in the Quraan Sharif:
ولا تركنوا إلى الذين ظلموا فتمسكم النار وما لكم من دون الله من أولياء ثم لا تنصرون
“And do not incline towards the wrongdoers lest the Fire should catch you, and you have no supporters other than Allah, then you should not be helped.”
It has been mentioned by reliable commentators of the Quraan Sharif that those who follow and imitate the non-believers and transgressors in personal looks, fashion and ways of living, will fall within the ambit of the warnings mentioned in the above-mentioned verse. (Re: Ma’arif al-Quran Vol:4 Pg678)
Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has prohibited us from following and imitating the ways of nonbelievers and transgressors:
عن ابن عمر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: “من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم”. [رواه أبو داؤد]
It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar Radiallahu Anhu that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Whosoever imitates or follows a nation, will be regarded from amongst them.”
In Bazhl al-Majhood, under the explanation of the above-mentioned Hadith, it is written that whosoever imitates or replicates the clothing, etc. of the non-Muslims, or those Muslims who transgress the rules of Shari’ah, will also have a share in their sins. Similarly, whosoever imitates the pious from amongst the believers, will have a share in the rewards of those pious people.
من تشبه نفسه بالكفار مثلا في اللباس و غيره او الفساق او الفجار او باهل التصوف والصلحاء الابرار (فهو منهم) أي في الاثم او الخير عند الله (بذل المجهود ج١٢ ص٥٩)
Moreover, the Jurists have explained that adopting practices which symbolize other religions and hold religious values, could take one out of the fold of Islam. For example, wearing a Jewish hat, fastening a string around the body in pursuing the ways of Hindu priests, applying sindhoor upon the forehead, etc. are not permissible and could take one out of the fold of Islam.
يكفر بوضع قلنسوة المجوس على رأسه على الصحيح … وبشد الزنار في وسطه … وبخروجه إلى نيروز المجوس لموافقته معهم فيما يفعلون في ذلك اليوم (الهندية ج٢ص٢٧٦)
[Re:Fatawa Mahmoodiyah Vol:19 Pg:550]
Hence one should refrain from these kinds of practices. The ultimate objective of our lives in this world is to please Allah Ta’ala and not to show and please others.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Ahmed Saeed
Date: 26 Shawwaal 1447 / 15 April 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb