Marriage one week after grandfather’s demise
Question
My father passed away a few days ago and my daughter’s rukhsati is scheduled one week after his demise. Some people are suggesting we should cancel it. All arrangements have been made and the hall is also booked. What do you advise?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
The mourning period for a woman when someone passes away is a maximum of three days. The only exception to this is a wife who will spend four months and ten days in ʿIddat.
Therefore, the rukhsati of your daughter should not be delayed and doing so due to the death of your father would not be in accordance with Islamic teachings. Calamities and problems are part and parcel of our life and Allah Almighty wants us to revert to normality as quickly as possible. It is strongly recommended not to delay marriage and rukhsati generally, therefore you should proceed.
عن زينب بنت أبي سلمة قالت: لما جاء نعي أبي سفيان من الشام، دعت أم حبيبة رضي الله عنها بصفرة في اليوم الثالث، فمسحت عارضيها وذراعيها، وقالت: إني كنت عن هذا لغنية، لولا أني سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: لا يحل لامرأة تؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر أن تحد على ميت فوق ثلاث إلا على زوج فإنها تحد عليه أربعة أشهر وعشرا، رواه البخاري (١٢٨٠)۔
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
10 Rabīʿ al-Thānī 1444 / 5 November 2022
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
