Marriage In Islam: Selections from the Hadith, Part 2 of 2

On today’s show, we continue with excerpts from Chapter XX of “A Manual of Hadith” by Maulana Muhammad Ali. It touches upon the Prophet Muhammad’s, Peace Be Upon Him, practices related to childbirth and naming children, illustrating the holistic approach Islam takes towards marital and familial responsibilities.

Chapter XX Marriage Continuation

“The marriage must be publicly proclaimed, and it is recommended that it should be held in a public place and announced with the beat of duff, a musical instrument. 'Ā'ishah said, The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings of Allāh be on Him, said: ‘Make the marriage publicly known, and perform it in mosques, and beat at it with duff.’ The contract is sanctified by a sermon before the parties announce their acceptance. Abd Allāh said: 'The Messenger of Allāh, peace and blessings of Allāh be on Him, taught us the marriage sermon (which is thus): “All praise is due to Allāh; we beseech Him for help, and we ask for His protection, and we seek refuge in Him from the mischiefs of our souls; whomsoever Allāh guides, there is none who can lead him astray and whomsoever Allāh finds in error, there is none to guide him; and I bear witness that there is no god but Allāh and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. ‘O you who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allāh, by Whom you demand one of another your rights, and to the ties of relationship; surely Allāh watches over you. […]”’

Prayer to God for Divine blessings is recommended at the first meeting of the husband and the wife. Ion 'Abbās said, carrying it back to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be on Him, (who) said: “If one of you, when he goes in to his wife, should say, ‘In the name of Allāh; O Allāh! Ward off from us the Devil and ward off the Devil from that which Thou grantest us, then offspring is decreed for them, it (the Devil) will not harm it.” Birth-control ('azl ) is allowed when it becomes a necessity. […]’

Abū Mūsā said, A son was born to me and I brought him to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be on Him, He named him Ibrāhīm, and he chewed a date and rubbed thereby his palate, and prayed for blessings for him and gave him back to me.”