Is it better to conclude the contract earlier, or is it better to delay it until before the consummation?
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The Shaykh : And here we ask: Is it better to conclude the contract earlier, or is it better to make it on the night of consummation?
The questioner : There is a distinction in this matter.
The Shaykh : What is the distinction?
The questioner : Sometimes... he concludes the contract, and perhaps another husband comes and takes her away.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : If he does not conclude the contract, perhaps another man will come and take her, because if they conclude it, they say, "All right, this is so-and-so's."
The Shaykh : Yes, some people conclude the contract early out of fear of what Brother Muhammad mentioned, meaning our fear that they might withdraw from accepting the proposal. But I see that delaying it is better, because disturbing and painful incidents have occurred where the contract is concluded and then he dies. In that case, the wife is obligated to observe the waiting period and mourning, and her heart is broken. Yes, and the calamity becomes more severe for her. Also, she would inherit from him. Suppose he is a man of millions and has three wives, yes, or one wife. Then he concludes a contract with a woman and dies before consummating the marriage with her. Does she inherit or not? She would compete with the first wife who has been with him for decades, whereas he did not consummate the marriage with the new one. So delaying it is better. As for the matter of it being easy or not easy, this is with Allah... and He is pleased with it; it is not easy.
The questioner : There is a distinction in this matter.
The Shaykh : What is the distinction?
The questioner : Sometimes... he concludes the contract, and perhaps another husband comes and takes her away.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : If he does not conclude the contract, perhaps another man will come and take her, because if they conclude it, they say, "All right, this is so-and-so's."
The Shaykh : Yes, some people conclude the contract early out of fear of what Brother Muhammad mentioned, meaning our fear that they might withdraw from accepting the proposal. But I see that delaying it is better, because disturbing and painful incidents have occurred where the contract is concluded and then he dies. In that case, the wife is obligated to observe the waiting period and mourning, and her heart is broken. Yes, and the calamity becomes more severe for her. Also, she would inherit from him. Suppose he is a man of millions and has three wives, yes, or one wife. Then he concludes a contract with a woman and dies before consummating the marriage with her. Does she inherit or not? She would compete with the first wife who has been with him for decades, whereas he did not consummate the marriage with the new one. So delaying it is better. As for the matter of it being easy or not easy, this is with Allah... and He is pleased with it; it is not easy.