Jeddah: Getting an invitation card to celebrate divorce is unimaginable for most, but unfortunately it is gradually becoming a phenomenon in the Kingdom, thanks to falling values and rising ignorance.
Places that once used to be reserved for marriage and birthday parties and shops such as bakeries that used to sell products for such ceremonies are also catering to Saudi couples, mainly women, who want to celebrate their divorce, local media reported on Saturday.
Looks like consistent efforts by social organizations to prevent couples from divorce are falling flat.
So what is it that is leading to such unhealthy practice in society? Is it not a wrong and discouraging message to couples planning to get married? And what does the Shariah say about it? An expert expressed serious concern over the issue as “divorce is most disliked by Almighty Allah” and celebrating it is “evil.”
Hasan Safar, professor of Islamic governance system at the King Abdulaziz University and member of the International Fiqh Council, was quoted as saying that such practices will spread fear of marriage and will make people think it is an unpleasant social methodology.
“Divorce celebration is heresy in Islam and contradicts the Shariah principles which stipulate that both parties of the divorce have lawful rights if living together is no longer possible. The two should not forget the teachings of the Qur’an: ‘And forget not (that you are to act with) grace toward one another: verily, God sees all that you do’,” Safar said.
Holding such parties does not belong to the good ethics of Islam and Muslims, he said.
“If the husband was badly treating his wife, she should be thankful to God for separating them, and not hold parties. I wonder where the role of parents in giving advice and guidance to their children is gone.”
He said the Council of Senior Scholars should issue a statement by the grand mufti in this regard, giving advice and guidance, and explaining the rulings and concepts of the Islamic law on this matter.