In Islam, marriage means the bond of two souls. Marriage in Islam is quite simple. It does not
put any kind of pressure on anyone. Simplicity is the basic essence of marriages in Islam. Islamic
marriages contain the three basic rituals nikah, barat and walima.

Barat is the function hosted by the family of the bride. In this ritual, the groom comes to the
bride and takes her with him to his home. However, before the departure of the bride can take
place the most important ritual nikah is performed. Only after the ceremony of nikah, the bride
and the groom are announced as husband and wife. Nikkah is done in the presence of a pious
man who binds the bride and the groom in holy matrimony and some witnesses. Walima takes
place the next day as this is the reception hosted by groom and his parents.

There also exists the concept of dowry in Islamic marriages. Our beloved Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) gave her daughter some basic household items as dowry that would help
her starting her new life. Over the years and after many centuries the main concept of dowry
distorted and became grotesque. The parents of the groom demand unreasonably high like car,
cash or support in the business. Such marriages are not according to the basic principles of Islam
and these tendencies should reverse and discouraged at all costs.

It should be very fulfilling to the people who marry according to the teachings of Islam are held
in high esteem in front of Allah and his beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). However,
majority of Muslims are ignorant and not following the simple and true path of Islam. Young
men and women should fight and raise their voice against such obsolete and repulsive thinking
regarding the concept of dowry. With the positive approach and knowledge of right Islamic
concepts, the younger generation can bring many changes in the society.