Mangni (Engagement) in Islam

Search WWW Search www.central-mosque.com

By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Q.) I have a question regarding Mangni (engagement). Many people in Pakistan perform this before a certain period from marriage in which guy and the girl agree to marry. And some times the promise is broken due to many reasons like change in liking between guy and the girl and may be some other reason.

Is this practice proved from Prophet Muhammad Companions, and their followers? If not, then it is an innovation in Islam. I want to know whether to be involved in this or not.

A.) Mangni is a promise by which both the parties agree to enter into a marriage in future. This promise in itself is neither an innovation nor a sinful act. Obviously, even in the days of the Holy Prophet and the blessed Sahabah a marriage used to be preceded by a mutual understanding or a promise with the actual marriage taking place at a later stage. Nevertheless, no previous celebration or function is necessary for entering into a marriage nor was it a practice in the days of the Holy Prophet to celebrate this occasion. Therefore, if someone celebrates the occasion in the belief that it is a Sunnah or a part of religion then it would become a bid'ah or innovation. Even if it is celebrated without holding it as a part of religion it embodies many evil practices, therefore, celebration of mangni should be avoided.

Article taken (with Thanks) from Albalagh.net