A Wedding On Eid: Is It Possible?

There is no religious prohibition on having a wedding on Eid in Islam. According to Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, there are no restrictions on the time of year for performing marriages in Islam. The only restrictions pertain to consummating marriages during certain times, such as while fasting or while in a state of consecration (Ihram) for Hajj or Umrah. However, some Muslims believe that it is not permissible to have a wedding reception or ceremony between two eids, especially if it coincides with the weekly eid of Friday, as it may cause people to miss the Friday prayer due to wedding preparations.

Islamic weddings are not prohibited on Eid

Imam Nawawi states, "This narration indicates the recommendation of marrying, being married off, and consummating the marriage during Shawwal." The General Iftaa’ Department in Jordan also states that getting married after Eid al-Fitr is lawful and recommended during Shawwal.

The belief that marriage between the two Eids is prohibited is a misconception that is not supported by Islamic teachings. Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, a prominent Muslim scholar, states that there is no religious backing for this claim. He emphasizes that Islam welcomes marriage at all times and considers it a religious manifestation and a Prophetic Sunnah.

Furthermore, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar, asserts that there are no restrictions in Islam on solemnizing marriages at any time of the year. The only restrictions pertain to consummating marriages during certain times, such as while fasting or while in a state of consecration or Ihram for performing Hajj or 'Umrah.

It is worth noting that the misconception about marriage between the two Eids may stem from pre-Islamic pagan superstitions about bad omens. However, Prophet Muhammad opposed such superstitions and declared that only Allah has the power to bring benefit or inflict harm.

There are no restrictions on Islamic marriages at any time of the year

The Prophet Muhammad himself married Aisha in the month of Shawwal, which falls between the two Eids, and consummated the marriage in the same month. This refutes the belief that marrying between the two Eids is unlucky or forbidden. On the contrary, some Muslim scholars recommend that marriages be concluded during the month of Shawwal.

The only time when contracting a marriage is not valid is when one is in a state of Ihram, according to the Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought. The Hanafis, however, permit it even in this situation, although they prohibit consummation of the marriage.

Therefore, according to Islamic teachings, there are no restrictions on when a Muslim wedding can take place, and marriages can be held at any time of the year, including on Eid.

Misconceptions about marrying on Eid stem from pre-Islamic pagan superstitions

Marrying on Eid is a topic of debate among Muslims, with some believing that it is permissible and even recommended, while others consider it a bad omen. The misconceptions about marrying on Eid stem from pre-Islamic pagan superstitions that prevailed in the days of ignorance or Jahiliyyah. During this time, people held superstitious beliefs about specific days and months, such as Shawwal, being inauspicious for marriages. These misconceptions continued even after the advent of Islam, with some Muslims adopting these pre-Islamic beliefs.

Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar, affirms that there are no restrictions in Islam on performing marriages at any time of the year. He attributes the prevailing misconceptions to pagan superstitions about bad omens that were prevalent before Islam. These superstitions are still strongly held among many pagan societies today. However, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) vehemently opposed such superstitions, declaring that only Allah has the power to bring benefit or harm.

The General Iftaa’ Department in Jordan also asserts that there is nothing wrong with concluding marriages between the two Eids. They state that the reprehensibility of marriages between the Eids has no foundation in Islamic Shariah and is, in fact, one of the beliefs of the Jahiliyyah. Instead, some Muslim scholars recommend concluding marriage contracts during the month of Shawwal, which falls between Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Aishah, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is reported to have said that the Prophet married her in Shawwal and consummated the marriage in the same month. She was the most beloved of the Prophet's wives, and she used to recommend her female relatives to conclude their marriages during Shawwal. This refutes the superstitious belief that marriages during this month would be unsuccessful.

The misconceptions about marrying on Eid, therefore, have no basis in Islamic teachings. Islam encourages marriage as a religious manifestation and a Prophetic Sunnah. The Prophet taught Muslims to think positive thoughts, trust in Allah, and not be deterred by pre-Islamic pagan superstitions.

The Prophet himself got engaged and then married in the month of Shawwal, which falls between two Eids

The Prophet Muhammad himself got engaged to Aisha in the month of Shawwal, which falls between two Eids, and married her three years later, also in the month of Shawwal.

The Prophet's marriage to Aisha, his third and youngest wife, took place in Mecca, but the marriage was only consummated in the month of Shawwal after his hijrah to Medina. The exact date of their marriage is disputed, with some classical sources suggesting it took place in Medina without any delay.

Aisha was between six and ten years old at the time of her marriage to the Prophet. This has been a source of ideological friction, with some accusing the Prophet of pedophilia. However, Muslim scholars have emphasized cultural relativism, anachronism, and the political dimensions of the marriage to contextualize Aisha's age.

The month of Shawwal was considered inauspicious by the Arabs of Jahiliyyah before Islam. They regarded marrying in this month as ominous and preferred to wed in other months. The Prophet's marriage to Aisha during Shawwal refuted and eliminated this custom, establishing it as Sunnah to marry during this month.

Aisha herself used to recommend that marriages be concluded during Shawwal. She is reported to have said, "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) married me in Shawwal and consummated the marriage with me in Shawwal, and which of his wives was more favorable to him than me?"

Muslim scholars affirm that there is nothing wrong with concluding a marriage between the two Eids. In fact, some scholars recommend it, as it is considered auspicious and blessed.

The Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools say marriage is invalid when one is in a state of Ihram

The Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought in Islam are in agreement that a person cannot get married while in a state of Ihram. Ihram is a sacred state in which a Muslim performs Hajj or 'Umrah. This is one of the conditions of marriage related to its validity.

The Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools share this opinion with the Hanafi school, which also believes that a person cannot be in a state of Ihram during marriage. However, the Hanafi jurists differ in their interpretation, as they allow a person in a state of Ihram to establish a marriage contract. This is a minority view among the four schools of jurisprudence.

The Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools' stance on this matter is significant as it highlights the importance of ensuring that individuals are not in a sacred state when entering into a marital contract. This consensus among the schools of thought provides clear guidance for Muslims following these schools of thought, ensuring that marriages are conducted in accordance with their religious beliefs and principles.

It is worth noting that while the Shafi`i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools agree on this condition, they may have different interpretations or additional conditions for marriage. These schools of thought represent the diversity and complexity of Islamic jurisprudence, also known as Fiqh, which aims to provide guidance and clarity on various aspects of Muslim life, including marriage.

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