Islam provides guidance for every walk of life. As it is the complete way of life prescribed by the Lord, Who is Creator of the universe as well as human beings, nothing escapes His Knowledge, whether it is personal life of a person or family, or social or national goings-on or international relations.
In the family system of Islam, Nikah (marriage) holds extraordinary importance; for it ensures continuity of human generation and character building of children, who are the future of society, within the healthy environs of a strong family. A family begins with the solemnisation of Nikah. This solemnisation of Nikah should not satisfy the whims and inconsistencies of some or all members of the family, and must not be as per the customs and traditions of society. Rather it must be solemnised in strict accordance with the guidance of the Lord Creator. The Lord has enjoined human beings to conduct a marriage in a very simple and humble manner, practising balance and moderation; for it is nothing short of Ibadah. The best marriage, in the eyes of Islam, is one which incurs the minimum expenditure. The groom side should not demand anything from the bride side, rather the groom has to pay the mehr (the nuptial gift) to the bride, preferably at the very time of marriage.
The solemnisation of Nikah should be free from pomp and show and israf (extravagance) and tabdhir (wasting). Printing of costly wedding cards, arranging wedding functions in large marriage halls and lush farms and spending exorbitant amount of wealth on decoration of the halls, etc. fall under the purview of extravagance. All this establishes a wrong precedent in society. Those who cannot afford all this indeed feel deprived. And this cannot help you earn the pleasure of Allah. This also goes against the spirit of Taqwa (piety) that is very much emphasised in Khutba-e-Nikah (the sermon presented at the time of Nikah).
Extravagance or wasteful expenditure is in fact a sin. The simple argument that one has enough wealth to spend as per his will on the marriage of his daughter or son, does not qualify him to indulge in extravagance. The Qur’ān (7:31) says in unequivocal terms: “Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.”
What if one invites us to such an extravagant wedding function by presenting you a costly wedding card? With all humility, we should say to him plainly that this is not acceptable. And we should have will and courage to say a big NO to attending such a function. This is the requirement of nahi anil munkar (prohibiting the evils). This is the right time to convey to him the teachings of Islam on conducting marriage. Only by doing so we can make Nikah easy in society.