This is a good case study to apply Al-ma‘rufu ‘urfan kal-mashrutu shartan (What is determined by custom is tantamount to a contractual stipulation) in qawaid al-fiqh, especially in Singapore, quoted the richest country in the World today. Hantaran has always been the subject of scrutiny among the younger generation. What makes this issue interesting is that, this has not been seen as a problem back in the past. With materialism, hantaran has been reduced to a commodity rather than honor (part of the maqasid shariah). We must place urf (cultural norms) in its proper place. The hantaran should not be an excuse for late marriage, but rather a challenge to prove ones worth in the eyes of the family unit and the community. It is also the role of the family and the community to assist in the marriage preparations. My travels in Turkey has made me learnt one important thing: In Turkish culture, when a Muslim brother is eligible for marriage, the relatives and friends would go through great lengths to find him a suitable companion, and help him achieve the necessary monetary goals to prepare for marriage. We should help our brothers to get married quicker, and at the same time, retain their honor in their marriage.
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 04:18:41 +0000
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