Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 283
! ! 283 perceived to be authentic. Indeed, there are many Hadith concerning the Promised Messiah a s which have been proven to be fabricated , along with many which should be regarded as authentic , but are considered false. However, the revelation of the a postle , appointed by God Almighty, is recent and fresh; and whatever he says, is like that of freshly squeezed juice. Thus, his deed s are [representative of] the real Sunnah and Islam ic teaching since he has been appointed by Allah Almighty. The likeness of H adith i s like that of a person coming and telling us that the Qur’an says one thing or the other whilst we have not seen it for ourselves. Therefore, we must give precedence to what we hear directly from the Messenger of God. The Reception Given by t he Bride’s Family I consider the reception given by the bride’s f amily to be a burdensom e custom. However, if the girl’s family we re to feed the guests something without a formal reception, this would be no B id’at [innovation]. Yes, i f it is alleged that the person who does not feed [his guests] is wrong for doing so , then it unquestionably becomes B id’at. And likewise, if anyone says that refraining from giving Jahez is wrong and Jahez must be given, the n that person spread s B id’at. However, if the individual , out of his own desire, gives his daughter something or feeds his guests, then th is can in no way be described as Bid’at. On the occasion of Mubarika Begum’s wedding, the Promised Messiah as himself ordered and paid for items from Amritsar for the attending guests. If a person does this because he feels it is required of him, then he is practicing Bid’at. However , when a person naturally and considerately serves his guests something , it cannot be called Bid’at. Mir Sahib states in his address that middle - class people should give the bride some clothes, boo ks, a chest etc. , as she departs, but if giving anything to the girl is Bid’at , then even this instruction promotes Bid’at. Why should we do this? Basically , if one gives according to his own means , then it is a good practice; however, the person who cannot afford to give even these few things and puts himself into debt to do so , he will be held accountable by Shariah , f or practic ing extravagance. God Almighty forbids extravagance and waste in the Holy Qur’ān. It is commanded :