New Delhi

Maulana Sajjad Nomani, a renowned religious scholar and social reformer, has criticised the trend of Muslims opting for lavish wedding ceremonies as opposed to the teachings of Islam.

Nomani was speaking at a function and addressing Muslims. He referred to a recent wedding organised by a wealthy industrialist of Hyderabad, which, he claimed, involved Rs 16 crore expenses.

The multi-crorewedding was talk of the town and it caused a stir on social media.

Reacting to social media posts on it, Maulana Sajjad Nomani criticised the wedding ceremony, calling it "a symbol of moral decay."

He said spending lavishly on weddings was a misuse of money and constitutes irresponsible behaviour since it promotes inequality.

According to Maulana Sajjad Nomani, approximately Rs16 crore was spent on this particular wedding. The expenses involved were on decorations, lighting lamps, invitations, music, etc.

The Maulana explained that the wedding was entirely based on grandeur and ostentation, while the fundamental purpose of society—humanity and morality—was ignored.

Citing an example, he said that the same industrialist who spent millions of rupees on his daughter's wedding was extremely harsh and unfair to the Imam of his own mosque.

According to him, the Imam's wife fell ill, and he was granted a week's leave to attend to her. Although the Imam returned four or five days late due to the constraints, the industrialist deducted 4,000 rupees from his salary.

Maulana described this incident as a symbol of tendencies that give rise to moral degradation and social inequality in the country.

He said that when people do not do justice to their own society and community, no society can truly develop. "The misuse of money only promotes ostentation and extravagance, while investment in the right direction leads to progress in society and the country."

Maulana Sajjad Nomani further stated that true social reform does not come from mere prayer or religious rituals, but from justice, compassion, and moral responsibility.

He said that wealth and resources used in the right direction can strengthen society. However, if wealth is wasted on mere show-off and luxury, it harms not only society but the entire nation.

He didn't limit the issue to a personal matter or a single wedding, but presented it as a broader social message. The cleric stated that inequality in society, the gap between rich and poor, and human rights violations only increase through ostentation and grandeur. He clarified that when a country fails to treat its citizens with justice, neither violence nor mob lynching will stop, nor will trust in law and order increase.

Maulana said that even the youth are witnessing this inequality and injustice. When they lack justice and equal opportunity in their society, they will become frustrated and disillusioned. This is why, in today's times, real reform and lasting change in society are only possible through sound leadership, a just, ethical mindset, and morality.

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Maulana appealed to the general public not to abandon moral values ​​and humanity in the pursuit of grandeur and display of wealth.