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3).
A trousseau is no longer a thing which is for the
pleasure and contentment of the daughter, rather it has
become such that it must be an item which everyone sees and
knows about and it must be to the likings of all so that they
praise and laud it.
4).
The most detestable thing of the trousseau is that the
groom and his family set their sights on it. In some places they
even
make a specific request for it, whilst in other places no
specific request is made but if the trousseau is of considerable
value, then well and good, but if it does not meet the
expectations of the bride’s in-laws, then she is chastised and
belittled because of it.
The harms and evils which are
attached to this custom of
trousseau and the tribulations which they cause to society are
matters which have not passed the gaze of the people of
intelligence. Much has been written about this issue. Many
suggestions have been forwarded to ease or replace this
custom. To a certain degree it has decreased in its popularity.
Some have suggested that the concept of trousseau be
banned altogether, but this will not solve the problem because
it forms part of many societies, which cannot be shed like that.
In essence people need to be taught
and advised regarding
the limits and legality thereof.
According to the Shariah, a
trousseau is not impermissible. It is acceptable for the
father to give his daughter a ‘parting’ present. Nabi
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had also given something to
his daughter on the occasion of her Nikah.
There is no limit
placed on the gift which the father may give his daughter. If
there are no inherent ills, then a father may give his daughter
whatever he is able to safely afford.
However this evil creeps up that it becomes an issue of show
and pomp and the groom’s party deem it their right to receive a
trousseau. They actually wait in hope for these gifts and if they
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receive something of paltry value, they censure the poor girl for
all time. All sectors of
the community must make a
concentrated effort at eradicating this practice. By means of
mutual advice, lectures, education, etc. this can be achieved.
It should reach such a stage where this low and demeaning
practice be looked down upon where people will feel shy to ask
for it or regard it as their right. In this way such customs will
find unpopularity amongst the masses and slowly die.
However, there is a need for courage
amongst the influential
ones to facilitate such efforts (at eradicating such customs),
but alas, this is a scarcity...people have become generally
lackadaisical in encouraging the rectification of entrenched
customs, but this does not mean that we should all sit down
and accept it. A caller to the Haqq
never tires and continues
calling out. There will come a time, Insha-Allaah Ta`ala when
people will start heeding the call and be pulled towards the
Haqq and there will be a change in society when people will
eventually start practicing (on the Haqq).”
[Extracted from
‘Jang’]
Explanation
The above excerpt was from an article
written by Mufti Taqi
Uthmaani Saheb. It is consoling that with the efforts of some
concerned Ulama and seniors, this custom of ‘trousseau’ is
slowly finding its way out of our societies, or the very least it is
no longer as common as it was.
This custom was copied from the Hindu custom, because it is a
custom amongst the Hindus that they give a trousseau to the
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