Is the public announcement of a marriage contract recommended?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Marriage
Primary text
The public announcement and celebration of a marriage contract is highly recommended (*mustahabb*). Ahmad bin Hanbal stated that the marriage should be made public, accompanied by the beating of the *Duff* (hand drum), so that it becomes well-known and recognized. This recommendation is evidenced by the Prophet's saying, 'Distinguish what is lawful (Halal) from what is forbidden (Haram) by the sound and the *Duff* in the marriage.' Furthermore, the Prophet commanded, 'Announce the marriage,' and in another narration, 'Make the marriage manifest.' There is also support for beating the *Duff* in the context of the marriage celebration.
Supporting text
The text permits light, permissible poetic expression (*ghazal*) during the wedding celebration, citing the Prophet's words to the Ansar: 'We have come to you, we have come to you, so greet us with a greeting of peace upon us. Were it not for red gold, your valley would not have been permissible, and were it not for black grain, your maidens would not have had sustenance.' This permission is strictly limited and should not resemble the practices common among people today.