There has been a mixed response from a number of Saudi men and women, especially from religious figures, on the issue. Some argue vehemently in favor of it while others say an emphatic no.
Those who support it see something blissful in holding the most auspicious occasion in anyone’s life during the most blessed month of the year.
On the other hand, those who oppose it say that there is an increased chance of violating the sanctity of the holy month, as well as an elevated risk of committing sins through the mixing of unrelated men and women at wedding parties and the new couple missing the point of what it means to fast, according to a report carried by Al-Watan Arabic daily.
Rajaa Ismail, a Saudi woman, says that there is nothing wrong with holding wedding parties in the nights of the holy month.
“I was fortunate to have my wedding party in the fasting month. The spirit of Ramadan has the mesmeric impact in uniting couples with the bonds of love and creating a warm feeling in them. It will also open new vistas of cooperation among couples,” she said.
She firmly believes that the nights of Ramadan are virtually nights of blessings.
“I see my marriage in Ramadan as something that brought about the blessings and virtues in our married life. I had encountered vehement criticism and objections from some sections of society. Anyhow, my marriage ceremony was held in Ramadan, and I still believe that holding it on a blessed night gave me a happy married life,” she said.
Echoing the same view, Maha Al-Saleh says that it is ideal to hold marriage ceremonies in the holy month.
“However, it should be held in an Islamic atmosphere. There should not be any gender mixing. Musical parties and revelries must also be avoided. The party should be in full conformity to Islamic traditions and without violating the sanctity of the holy month,” she said.
As for Izzat Aseeri, a wedding party in Ramadan is a social event that is unacceptable under any circumstances in the holy month.
“It may not be taboo in Ramadan. However, the tradition is to postpone wedding parties from Ramadan to a future date, either during Eid holidays or beyond that,” she said.
“It is customary to hold parties and dinners before and after the marriage ceremony. These, no doubt, would spoil the sanctity of the holy month and would detract people from offering prayers.”
She added that it was not ideal to have a honeymoon in the fasting month.
Rawaan Al-Asaad also holds the same view. She disagrees with the idea of holding wedding parties in Ramadan.
“It should be held at least two weeks before Ramadan or after the fasting month. Marriage is an occasion for enjoyment and celebration. The newly married couples will usually be in a mood of merry making, enjoyment and going on honeymoon trips. Some couples may even dare to skip or violate their fasting,” she said.
Abeer Al-Sulami claims that the number of people attending wedding parties in Ramadan would be very small. “Most people are unwilling to take part in such parties during the fasting month. Only close friends and relatives of the couples would attend,” she said.
Saeed Al-Bashari, a Saudi citizen, also disagrees with holding wedding parties in Ramadan. “Why don’t they wait until the end of the fasting month, which is meant only for worship? It is not permissible to have gender mixing or hold music and dance parties in the holy month,” he said, adding that he politely refused to attend a wedding party of one of his friends during Ramadan.
Ahmad Al-Sohli, president of the Holy Qur’an Memorization Society in Taif, said it is better not to hold marriage ceremonies in Ramadan.
“Even though it is permissible under Shariah, there is an increased risk of sanctity of the holy month being violated. Sometimes, the newly married couple may not bother to abstain from physical relations during the day in the fasting month. This is a major sin and offenders have to fast for a two-month period without any break as a penalty,” he said.
However, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Dabbash, a noted preacher, says that it is permissible to hold marriage ceremonies in Ramadan.
“But the best thing is to postpone the wedding parties to a later date. This is the recommendation to avoid forbidden acts happening,” he said, while stressing that Ramadan is a month for fasting, worship and prayers.
Yasir Al-Shalabi, counselor of family relations at Al-Mawaddah Social Center for Reform and Family Guidance in Jeddah, says that Ramadan should be used as an occasion to strengthen bonds between couples. “Ramadan is a great occasion for reconciliation between estranged married couples as well as cementing family relations. The fasting month should be a period for couples to further enhance their relations and resolve their differences, if any,” he said.