THE NUPTIAL KNOT

 FAJR REMINDER: THE NUPTIAL KNOT

By: Umm ‘Affān

Rajab 27, 1447 (17-January-2026)

The affection that the month of Shawwāl held for our esteemed mother, Ā’ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha), was profound. It was a time she frequently reflected upon, filled with the cherished memories of her marriage to Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ).

She (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) remembered: “Allāh’s Messenger (ﷺ) made the marriage contract with me in Shawwāl, and he took me to his house as a bride during Shawwāl. And who among the wives of Allāh’s Messenger was dearer to him than I? Indeed, she even recommended to the women of her family that they should likewise enter the houses of their husbands as brides during this month.” [Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 1423]

Interestingly, Ā’ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) was unaware that it was her wedding day. When her mother arrived to prepare her, she was playing with her friends. She recounted the event, saying: “My mother, Umm Rūmān, came to me when I was on a swing and some of my friends were with me. She called me loudly, and I went to her, and I did not know what she wanted from me. She took me by the hand and made me stand at the door of the house, as I was gasping for breath until I had calmed down. Then she took some water and wiped my face and head with it, then she took me into the house. There were some women of the Anṣār in the house, who said: With good wishes and blessings and good luck. She handed me over to them and they adorned me, and suddenly I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at mid-morning, and they handed me over to him. At that time I was nine years old.” [Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhārī, 3894; Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim, 1422]

The Nikāḥ banquet was quite simple; no animals were sacrificed. It consisted merely of a bowl of milk from which the Prophet (ﷺ) drank first. He was seated next to Ā’ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) when he offered her the milk, to which she shyly lowered her gaze. Asmā’ (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) was present and encouraged her sister to accept it from the Prophet’s hand. Ā’ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) did so and drank the milk. The bowl was then circulated among those present for them to also partake. We shall continue next week, Allāh willing.

I beseech Allāh to grant us righteous spouses. Aameen.