Writing: Muhammad Masood Rahmani
The purity and survival of human society depends on adhering to moral values. Allah Almighty has bestowed the sacred and beautiful path of "Nikah" (marriage) for the fulfillment of the emotional and physical needs that He has placed in human nature. But alas, today we have made Nikah so difficult through our self-made customs, ostentation, and heavy expenses that it has become like climbing a mountain for an average young man to get married. The horrific result of this is that the paths of adultery and immorality in society are becoming easier by themselves.
Difficulties of Nikah: A Tragedy
Today, when a young man from the middle class intends to get married, worldly standards are placed before him more than religiousness. A high family, a big job, a lot of dowry, and then millions of expenses on wedding ceremonies—these are the obstacles that become a wall in the way of a halal (lawful) relationship. When a young man does not find a halal way to fulfill his legitimate need and is forced to wait for years due to social pressure, he becomes a victim of mental turmoil and inner restlessness.
Ease of Adultery: A Moment of Reflection
On the other hand, in this age of technology, access to sin is just a click away. The internet, pornography, and free mixing have spread the causes of adultery in every street and corner. When there are thousands of conditions for Nikah and only solitude is enough for adultery, the feet of young people with weak faith falter. We described the virtues of Nikah in mosques and madrassas, but in practice, we made Nikah the most difficult act in our homes.
Prophetic Teachings and Our Attitude
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The most blessed Nikah is the one in which there is the least burden (expenses)." In the era of the Companions, Nikah was so simple that even an iron ring or the teaching of a few verses of the Quran was accepted as Mahr (dowry). There, the goal was to achieve chastity and purity, not to get applause in the community.
What is the Solution?
If we want our generations to be safe from the fire of immorality, then we must take the following steps:
Adopt simplicity: Abolish wasteful wedding customs and the curse of dowry and promote Sunnah Nikah (marriage according to the Prophet's way).
Prioritize character: When arranging a relationship, base it on morality and religiousness instead of bank balance.
Parents' responsibility: Parents should not delay their son's or daughter's marriage unnecessarily when they become young.
Social boycott: Encourage simple weddings instead of ostentatious weddings.
Summary
The peace of society lies in the fact that the path of Halal (lawful) is so wide that everyone can walk on it easily, and the path of Haram (unlawful) is so difficult that no one even thinks of going that way. Remember! If we do not make Nikah easy today, then tomorrow even the pulpits and niches of our mosques will not be able to save the society from moral destruction. The need of the hour is that we break the chains of customs and traditions and lay the foundation of a pure society by adopting the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).