![]() |
Yā-ayyuha-lladhīna āmanuttaqu-llāha wa qūlū qaul-an sadīd-an yuṣliḥ lakum a‘māla kum wa yaghfir la-kum dhunūba-kum wa man yuti‘i llāha wa rasūla-hū fa-qad fāza fauz-an ‘azīmā (33 : 70-71). |
O you who believe keep your duty to Allāh and speak straight words: He would put your deeds into a right state for you and forgive your sins; and whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger he indeed achieves a mighty success. |
The sermon of course must expatiate on these verses and explain to the audience the mutual rights and duties of husband and wife. At the conclusion of the sermon is made the announcement that such and such a man and such and such a woman have accepted each other as husband and wife, and the dowry is also announced at the time. The man and the woman are then asked if they accept this new relationship and on the reply being given in the affirmative, the marriage ceremony proper is concluded. The consent of the woman is generally obtained through her father or other guardian or relation. After the expression of consent by both parties, the whole audience raises its hands and prays for the blessings of God on the newly wedded couple. Generally some dates or sweets are distributed before the audience disperses. The words of prayer in one ḥadīth are bārak-Allāhu la-ka, or may Allāh shower His blessings on thee (Bu. 67:57). In another, the words are, bārak-Allāhu wa bāraka ‘alai-ka wa jam‘a baina-kumā fī khair-in (Tr. 11:6) — which means, “May Allāh shower His blessings (on the union) and may He bless you and unite you two in goodness.”