Is It Permissible to Attend a Mehendi Function If It Is Presented as an Aqeeqah?
Question: Dear Ustadh, As salamu Alaykum This is regarding a custom practiced in some parts of India, where women hold a mehendi function one or two days before the wedding, as you may know. Some Salafis here consider this practice a bid‘ah, so they do not attend such gatherings. As a result, the non-Salafi relatives have now become concerned that their Salafi relatives will not visit them or attend the mehendi function. Because of this, a new practice has started. Instead of calling it a “mehendi function,” they say that they are holding an ‘aqeeqah for the bride, so that the Salafi relatives will attend. This is now becoming increasingly common. My question is: What should we do in such a situation? Enlighten Us
Summary:
If what is called a “henna gathering” is merely a permissible social custom, free from false beliefs, imitation of the disbelievers, and prohibited matters such as free mixing, prohibited singing, and improper display, then there is nothing wrong with it in principle, and it is not an innovation. However, if it involves a religious belief, newly introduced rituals, or matters prohibited by the Shariah, then it is prohibited to the extent of the violations it contains. As for calling this gathering an “Aqeeqah for the bride,” this is an invalid designation, because Aqeeqah is an act of worship prescribed for a newborn child, not for a bride. It is not permissible to resort to such a device by changing names in order to give a religious status to something that has not been prescribed.
Answer:
First: The basic principle regarding customs is permissibility
From the Qur'an:
- [Al-Baqarah: 29]
“It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth.”
- [Al-A'raf: 32]
“Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has produced for His servants?’
The basic principle regarding customs is that they are permissible unless there is evidence establishing their prohibition.
Second: Acts of worship are based upon revelation
From the Sunnah:
- Al-BukhariAishah رضي الله عنها narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it will be rejected.” Agreed Upon.
Therefore, it is not permissible to introduce an act of worship or religious practice that Allah and His Messenger did not prescribe.
Third: Aqeeqah is a specific act of worship
From the Sunnah:
- Narrated by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi,It is authentically reported from Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every boy is held in pledge for his Aqeeqah, which is slaughtered on his behalf on the seventh day...” Authenticated by Al-Albani.
Aqeeqah was prescribed only for a newborn child and was not prescribed for marriage or for a bride.
From the Scholars:
- First: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله
“The basic principle regarding customs is that they are pardoned, so nothing from them is prohibited except what Allah the Exalted has prohibited.” See: Majmu al-Fatawa by Ibn Taymiyyah (29/17).
- Second: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen رحمه الله
“Among the established principles of the people of knowledge is that the basic principle regarding acts of worship is prohibition and prevention until evidence establishes that they are prescribed... In contrast to this, the basic principle regarding transactions, actions, and things is permissibility... So if someone were to say, ‘This sale is prohibited,’ we would say, ‘Bring the evidence; otherwise, the basic principle is that it is permissible.’”
- I also found the following statement of his in Al-Qawaid wal-Usul al-Jamiah:
“The sixth principle: The basic principle regarding acts of worship is prohibition, so nothing from them is prescribed except what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed. And the basic principle regarding customs is permissibility, so nothing from them is prohibited except what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited.”
I say: Aqeeqah is only performed for a newborn child and is not prescribed for anyone else. The Ruling on Calling the Gathering an “Aqeeqah for the Bride” This is not permissible because it involves: -Applying the name of a prescribed act of worship to something other than its proper context. -Misleading people. -Using a device to change the true nature of the occasion. The principle is that consideration is given to realities, not names. Therefore, a customary gathering does not become an Aqeeqah merely by changing its name. So, What Should Be Done? If you are invited to a wedding-related gathering: If it is merely a permissible family gathering, free from prohibited matters, there is nothing wrong with attending it, even if henna is applied there as a customary practice. However, if it contains prohibited matters or innovated beliefs, or if it is called an “Aqeeqah for the bride” on the basis that it is an act of worship, then it is not permissible to approve of this. It should be explained that Aqeeqah is only performed for a newborn child. Conclusion: A henna gathering is not an innovation merely because it is a custom. Rather, consideration should be given to the beliefs or prohibited matters that it contains. If it is free from prohibited matters and is merely a customary practice, then the basic principle is that it is permissible. It is not permissible to call the gathering an “Aqeeqah for the bride,” because Aqeeqah is an act of worship prescribed only for a newborn child. This designation is incorrect and constitutes a form of circumvention. The Sunnah should be explained to people with wisdom and good admonition.
And Allah knows best.
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