1. Islamic Marriage Contracts: Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

Thursday Night MajlisSeptember 18th, 2025https://www.al-m.ca/marriagePlaylist on Marriage:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiWrxSBgXI99MXOYSRsQxS5wTQAn_aw6w- Marriage ceremonies have resumed with the opening of the centre and summer season, prompting a reminder on the marriage contract.- Islamic marriage contract (‘aqd) requires three essentials: proposal from bride, acceptance from groom, and mahr.- Mahr is the bride’s right, set by her or her guardian; groom may accept or negotiate.- Mahr is symbolic, not a purchase; can be monetary, material, or a service (e.g., Qur’an teaching, Hajj).- Mahr may be immediate, deferred, or partly both.- Mahr Fāṭima equaled 1.25 kilos of silver (about 500 dirhams).- Marriage contracts can include optional conditions, a practice rooted in sharī‘a and discussed by classical and modern scholars.- Indian/Pakistani contracts include “other conditions,” though often left blank.- Optional conditions prevent misuse of rights, protect women, and are allowed if not against sharī‘a.- Conditions often relate to divorce rights and division of property.- Divorce is allowed but as a last resort; Qur’an instructs fairness in either retaining or releasing wives.- Some men suspend wives without divorce; judicial divorce exists but is slow, hence optional conditions are advised.- Suggested conditions: if husband marries another without wife’s consent, abuses wife, abandons her, refuses religious divorce after civil divorce, or resists wife’s civil divorce.- These conditions don’t prohibit second marriage but allow first wife the right to exit.- Prophetic and Imams’ marriages are models: patience, devotion, and love in challenges.- Muhammad and Khadija exemplified unity in hardship.- Ali and Fāṭima exemplified mutual devotion and support.- Husayn and Rabāb exemplified deep love; Husayn’s poetry reflects his affection for them.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)