Chapter 1

The Wedding Night

Wedding Night Aml
It is narrated from the Prophet (s): The
doors of Heaven to mercy will be opened in
four situations: when it rains; when a child
looks kindly at his parents face; when the
door of the !a"bah is opened; and when
marria#e (occurs)$%&'(
)s indicated by the above tradition* the
concept of marria#e in Islam is so sacred
and valued* that the doors of )llh (swt)s
mercy are open on this occasion.
Indeed* this is not surprisin# when one
considers that marria#e secures a lar#e
portion of ones faith and protects it from the
evil of +atan* as narrated from the Prophet
(s): There is not a sin#le youn# person that
#ets married durin# his youth* e,cept that
his +atan cries out that "-oe onto him* woe
onto him* he has protected two thirds of his
faith from me; therefore* mankind must
have taqw (.od/0onciousness) in )llh
(swt) to protect the remaining one third of
his faith.&1(
It is therefore essential that a couple* when
embarkin# on this step* take utmost care to
protect the sanctity of this sacred union and
do not taint it from the start by allowin# the
occasion of marria#e to become a source of
sin and e,trava#ance$
In particular* the weddin# ni#ht is the first
ni#ht that a man and woman come to#ether
as husband and wife* and it is hi#hly
recommended that they form this union with
the intention of obtainin# the nearness and
pleasure of )llh (swt) and perform the
recommended amaal for this night.
)t this point it is necessary to take a look at
what state the "mistress of the women of the
worlds* Hadrat 2tima (as) had on the night
of her wedding, and how she started her life
with her husband, Imm Al (as) the
wedding night, Imm Al (as) !adrat
"tima (as) upset and in tears, and as#ed her
why she was in this state. $he replied% &I
thought about my state and actions and
remembered the end of life and my gra'e(
that today I ha'e gone from my fathers
house to your house, and another day I will
go from here to the gra'e and the )ay of
*udgement (+iymat). ,herefore, I swear by
you to Allh (swt)( come let us stand for
$alt so that we can worship Allh (swt)
together in this night.&3(
The followin# )"ml are recommended for
this night&4(:
5$ Try to be in -ud- for as much of the
night as possible* and especially durin# the
amaals below$
'$ 6e#in by praisin# )llh (swt), then say
Allhu A#bar (

), followed by a +alawt
(

).
1$ 7ecite a two 7akat +alt, with the
intention of .ustahab +urbatan Ilallh
(swt) /a recommended prayer, see#ing the
pleasure of Allh (swt)0, followed by a
$alawt.
3$ 7ecite the followin# 8u", followed by a
$alawt. "irst the groom should recite it,
after which the bride should say% Ilh Amn
/.ay Allh (swt) accept this($

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9 )llh (swt)1 6less me with her affection*
love and her acceptance of me; and make me
pleased with her* and brin# us to#ether in the
best form of a union and in absolute
harmony; surely :ou like lawful thin#s and
dislike unlawful thin#s$%&;(
4$ <ven if a couple are not intendin# to
conceive on the weddin# ni#ht* it is
recommended that the followin# 8u"s are
recited for righteous children (whene'er
they are concei'ed)%
a$ The #room should then place his ri#ht
palm on the brides forehead facin# =ibla
and recite:

4 : !

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9 )llh1 I have taken her as :our trust and
have made her lawful for myself by :our
words$ Therefore* if you have decreed for
me a child from her* then make him>her
blessed and pious from amon# the followers
of the family of ?uhammad; and do not let
the +atan have any part in him>her$%&@(

b$ The followin# 8u" should also be
recited%

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4 5

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? C D

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9 )llh1 I have made her lawful for myself
with :our words* and I have taken her in
:our trust$ 9 )llh1 ?ake her fertile and
devoted$%&A(
;$ The #room should wash the brides feet
and sprinkle that water in all the four corners
of the room and house$ )llh (swt) will
remo'e 23,333 types of po'erty, 23,333
types of blessings will enter the house and
23,333 blessings will come upon the bride
and groom. ,he bride will be safe from
insanity, ulcers and leprosy.&B(
Some Points about the Aqd &
Wedding&5C(
5$ 9ne should refrain from havin# the ")Dd
or weddin# durin# Qamar Dar Akrab E
when the moon is passin# throu#h the phase
of +corpio$
'$ 9ne should refrain from havin# the ")Dd
or weddin# outdoors* under the sunli#ht$
1$ It is recommended that the ")Dd and
weddin# take place at ni#ht$
NOTE: It is important to note that the main
obFective of the weddin# is the Foinin# of a
man and a woman$ ?ore often than not*
weddin#s that take place today are lon# and
e,tremely tirin# for the bride and #room;
they reach their room late at ni#ht and not fit
for the recommended )"ml of this sacred
night, nor much else. ,herefore, it is
recommended that the procedures of this
night are #ept simple and to a bare
minimum. If other ceremonies are desired,
they should be held on the preceding or
proceeding nights.
Some Points fo the !ide and "oom
5$ It is not necessary that consummation of
the marria#e take place on the weddin#
ni#ht; rather it may take a few days or even
a few weeks$
'$ 2ati#ue* nervousness and tension may
make it harder; therefore it is important that
husband and wife take time to #et
comfortable with each other and move at
their own pace$
1$ )rtificial lubrication may be needed for
the first few days or weeks in order to make
consummation easier and more enFoyable$
&55(
3$ <arly or premature eFaculation may be a
problem for the first few times; however*
this should eventually be resolved after time
and e,perience$
4$ The hymen may or may not bleed$
2oreplay* #entleness and intercourse a#ain
soon after can help reduce the pain of the
tearin# of the hymen$
;$ )fter consummation (whenever it may
be)* the bride should not have milk* vine#ar*
coriander* sour apple or melon for a week*
as they cause the womb to dry up and
become cold and barren$ <atin# vine#ar at
this time also results in the woman not
becomin# clean (ritually clean) from the
blood of menstruation* coriander (and
watermelon) results in a difficult labour and
sour apple results in the stoppin# (of
re#ularity) of menstruation* and these all
result in illnesses$&5'(
@$ People may make certain comments over
the ne,t few days$ It is important not to let
this affect you* and not to #et drawn in to
their conversations$
A$ 8ont talk about your intimate details to
outsiders; maintain respect of your spouse
and your relationship$
The Wedding of #mm Al (as) and
$adat %tima (as)
The Aqd (&aiage 'onta(t)
The Prophet (s) desired to have the ")Dd
recited in the mosDue and in the presence of
the people$ Imm Al (as) 4oyfully went to
the mos5ue and the 6rophet (s) also entered
the mos5ue. ,he .uh4irn and Ansr
gathered around them. ,he 6rophet (s) went
on the minbar and after praising and
than#ing Allh (swt), said% &7h people1
8now that *ibril descended on me and
brought a message from Allh (swt) that the
ceremony of the A5d of Al (as) has ta#en
place in the presence of the Angels in 9ait
al:.amur. Allh (swt) has commanded that
I perform this ceremony on earth and ma#e
you all witnesses. At the point, the 6rophet
(s) recited the A5d.
Then the Prophet (s) said to Imm Al (as)%
&;et up and gi'e a speech. Imm Al (as)
got to his feet and after remembering and
than#ing Allh (swt) began his speech and
e<pressed his satisfaction and contentment
at his marriage to !adrat "tima (as).
The people prayed for him and said: ?ay
)llh (swt) bless this marriage, and place
lo'e and friendship in your hearts.&51(
The Wedding
The weddin# ceremony took place on the 5st
of 8hul HiFFah* ' )H&53( (or ;th of 8hul
HiFFah* ' )H)&54(* one month after the ")Dd$
6etween the ")Dd and the weddin#
ceremony* Imm Al (as) was shy to spea#
about his wife to the 6rophet (s). 7ne day,
his brother A5l as#ed him% &=hy dont
you bring your wife to the house so that we
can congratulate you for the occasion of
your wedding> ,his topic reached the
6rophet (s), who called Imm Al (as) and
as#ed him% &Are you ready to get married>
Imm Al (as) ga'e a positi'e response. ,he
6rophet (s) said% &Insha:Allh, tonight or
tomorrow night, I will ma#e arrangements
for the wedding. At that time, he told his
wi'es to dress !adrat "tima (as) and to
perfume her and to carpet her room so as to
prepare for the wedding ceremony.&5;(
The Prophet (s) told Imm Al (as)% &,here
cannot be a wedding without guests. 7ne of
the leaders of the Ansr named $aad said%
&I gift you a sheep, and a group of the
Ansr also brought some&5@( corn&5A(* and
some dried whey* oil and dates were also
bou#ht from the baGr. ,he meat was coo#ed
and the 6rophet (s) with his purity too# the
responsibility of coo#ing for the wedding,
and with his blessed hands, mi<ed them (the
ingredients) and began preparing a type of
Arabic dish called !abs or !ais.&5B(
However* althou#h the food was prepared*
the invitation was public$ ) lar#e number
took part and with the blessin#s of the
Prophets (s) hands* everyone ate and
became full from the food* and there was
even some left over for the poor and needy;
a dish was also placed for the bride and
#room$&'C(
The Prophet (s) told his wives to prepare a
celebration for Hadrat 2tima (as) After
food, the ladies gathered around !adrat
"tima (as) and the 6rophet (s) helped her
get on his horse. $almn al:"rs too# hold
of the horses reins and with the special
ceremony* brave men such as HamGa and a
number of the family and mahrim of
!adrat "tima (as) gathered around the
horse with drawn swords. .any women
waited behind the bride and recited ,a#bir.
The horse be#an movin#* and the ladies
be#an recitin# Takbir and praises of )llh
(swt). At that time, one by one, they read
beautiful hymns that had been composed,
and with splendour and 4oy, too# the bride to
the house of the groom. ,he 6rophet (s) also
reached the group and entered the bridal
chamber. !e re5uested a dish of water, and
when that was brought, he sprin#led some
on !adrat "timas (as) chest and told her to
do =ud- and wash her mouth with the rest
of the water. !e sprin#led some water on
Imm Al (as) as well and told him to do
=ud- and wash his mouth.
The Prophet (s) then took Hadrat 2timas
(as) hand and placed it in the hand of Imm
(as) and said% &7h Al1 .ay you be
blessed( Allh (swt) bestowed on you the
daughter of the 6rophet (s) of Allh (swt),
who is the best of women (of the world).
!e then addressed !adrat "tima (as) and
said% &7h "tima, Al is from the best of
husbands.&'5(
He then recited a 8u" for them% &7h Allh,
ma#e them familiar (close) to each other1
7h Allh, bless them1 And place for them
blessings in their life.
)s he was about to leave* he said: )llh
has made you and your offspring pure
(ritually clean). I am a friend of your friends,
and an enemy of your enemies. I now bid
you farewell and deposit you with
Allh.&''(
The ne,t mornin#* the Prophet (s) went to
see his dau#hter$ )fter that visit* he did not
#o to their house for three days* but went on
the fourth day$&'1(
$adat )hadjas (as) Wish
9n the weddin# ni#ht of Hadrat 2tima (as),
Asma bint 7mas (or ?mme $alama) who
was among the women, as#ed permission
from the 6rophet (s) if she could stay near
"tima so as to carry out any needs she may
ha'e. $he said to the 6rophet (s)% &=hen the
time of the death of 8had4a came in
.a##ah, I was ne<t to her and saw that
8had4a was crying. I said to her% &@ou are
the mistress of the women of the worlds
and the wife of the 6rophet (s) and despite
this you are crying whereas Allh (swt) has
gi'en you the good tidings of hea'en>
8had4a (as) replied% &I am not crying
because of death( rather I am crying for
"tima who is a small girl and women on
their wedding night need a woman from
their relati'es and close ones (mahram) who
will tell them their hidden secrets, and I am
afraid that that night, my dear "tima will
not ha'e anyone.
Then I told !had4a (as) that, &I swear to my
;od that if I stay ali'e until that day, on that
night I will stay in that house in your place.
Aow I would li#e permission from you that
you e<cuse me so that I can #eep my
promise. ?pon hearing this, the 6rophet (s)
started crying and ga'e me permission to
stay and prayed for me.&'3(
The Wedding Suit
9n the weddin# ni#ht of Imm Al (as) and
!adrat "tima (as), the 6rophet (s) ga'e her
a (wedding) suit to wear on that night. =hen
!adrat "tima (as) had gone to the wedding
house and was sitting on the prayer mat
praying to Allh (swt), suddenly a needy
person came to the door of the house of
!adrat "tima (as) and with a loud 'oice
said% &"rom the door of the house of
6rophethood, I want an old suit.
)t that time* Hadrat 2tima (as) had two
suits, one old and the other new. $he wanted
to gi'e the old suit as per the re5uest of the
needy man, when suddenly she remembered
a 'erse which states% &@ou will ne'er attain
piety until you spend out of what you hold
dear.&'4( Hadrat 2tima (as), who #new
she li#ed the new suit more, acted on this
'erse and ga'e the new suit to the needy
man.
The ne,t day* when the Prophet (s) saw the
old suit on Hadrat 2tima (as), he as#ed%
&=hy didnt you wear the new suit> !adrat
"tima (as) replied% &I ga'e it to a needy
man. ,he 6rophet (s) said% &If you had
worn the new shirt for your husband, it
would ha'e been better and more suitable.
!adrat "tima (as) replied% &I learnt this
manner from you. =hen my mother 8hadi4a
became your wife, she ga'e all her wealth to
the empty:handed in your path, until it
reached a point when a needy person came
to the door of your house and re5uested
clothes. ,here were no clothes in the house
so you too# off your shirt and ga'e it to him,
and this 'erse was re'ealed% &)o not #eep
your hand chained to your nec#, nor open it
all together, or you will sit blameworthy,
regretful.&';(
9verwhelmed by the love and sincerity of
his dau#hter Hahr (as), tears fell from the
6rophet (s)s (s) eyes, and as a sign of lo'e,
he hugged !adrat "tima (as) to his chest.
&'@(

Notes:
&'(
) 6undle of 2lowers* p#$ 53B
&1(
?untakhab ?iGn al:!i#mah, 'ol. B, pg.
CD2
&3(
Kitb al-Irshd* vol$ 5* p#$ '@C
&4(
Halliyatul Muttaqn* p#$ 55;/55@
&;(
al-Kf* vol$ 1* p#$ 3A5
&@(
Ibid.* vol$ 4* p#$ 4CC
&A(
Ibid.* vol$ 4* p#$ 4C5
&B(
Wasil ash-Sha* vol$ 'C* p#$ '3B* no$
'4444
&5C(
Halliyatul Muttaqn* p#$ 5CA/5CB (Points
5/1)
&55(
Psukh be Masil-e Jins wa
Zanshu* p#$ '14
&5'(
Wasil ash-Sha* vol$ 'C* p#$ '4C* no$
'444;
&51(
Bihr al-Anwr* vol$ 31* p#$ 5'C and
5'B
&53(
Ibid.* vol$ 31* p#$ B'
&54( +ome have narrated the time between
the nikah and weddin# to be one year$
&5;(
Bihr al-Anwr, vol$ 31* p#$ 51C/515
&5@(
)bout A pounds
&5A(
Bihr al-Anwr* vol$ 31* p#$ 51@
&5B(
Ibid.* vol$ 31* p#$ 5C; and 553
&'C(
Manqib Ibn Shahr Ashb* vol$ 1* p#$
143
&'5(
Izdawj Maktab Insn Szi* vol$ '*
p#$ 1CC
&''(
Manqib Ibn Shahr Ashb* vol$ 1* p#$
143/144
&'1(
Ibid.* vol$ 1* p#$ 14;
&'3(
Sar uzashthe !azrat Al "as# wa
$ti%a "sa#* p#$ 1C
&'4(
Srat &li-I%rn* Ierse B'
&';(
Srat al-Isr* Ierse 'B
&'@(
Sar uzashthe !azrat Al "as# wa
$ti%a "sa#* p#$ 15