The Nikah (marriage) in Islam should be simple and easy, is the command of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Not many decades ago, Nikah used to be very simple and ordinary. Sorry to say, but in present times, especially in Hyderabad, they have become a means to grandiose and pompous display of social status and one’s affluence. More profligate and lavish the marriage, greater the show-off!
It’s a Catch 22 situation for several middle class Muslim families in Hyderabad who are falling into the debt trap just to show off.
The well heeled enjoy the show-off of their own shallowness over the extravagant dining tables decorated with 20 to 30 various dishes from ‘marag’ to ‘Murgh Mussalam at their daughter’s wedding.
The poor and middle class families emulating the rich incurred expenditure beyond their affordability and are forced to borrow money through other means and ultimately fall in the debt trap.
With the call given by Mr Zahid Ali Khan, Editor of The Siasat Daily saying “Extravagance is prohibited in Islam,” and asking to refrain from spendthriftness, concerned citizens have now come together to implement austerity measures.
A campaign has been launched to promote the concept of just ‘Ek khana, ek meetha’ (one dish, one sweet) norm in Muslim marriages to protect the community by helping them in reducing unnecessary expenditure.
Religious scholars, intelligentsia, social activists and representatives of community organisations are being roped in.
Tehreek-e-Muslim Shabban, a city-based NGO, is leading the campaign against lavish weddings.