Ruling on the Marriage Sermon (
Source: Fatāwā Amunpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amunpūrī
❖ Question
What is the ruling on delivering a sermon at the time of marriage (khuṭbah al-nikāḥ)?
❖ Answer
A specific marriage sermon is not proven. However, if the purpose is to give admonition and advice during the marriage ceremony, then a sermon may be delivered, since Khuṭbat al-Ḥājah is authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ.
If no admonition is intended, then no sermon should be recited before or after the marriage.
❖ Scholarly Consensus
◈ Imām al-Nawawī (d. 676H):
((لو لم يأت بشيء منها صح النكاح باتفاق العلماء))
“If no sermon is delivered, the marriage contract is still valid by consensus of the scholars.”
— al-Adhkār, p. 283
Conclusion
- The marriage sermon itself is not obligatory.
- Delivering admonition using Khuṭbat al-Ḥājah is permissible.
- The validity of the marriage contract does not depend on the sermon — it is valid with or without it.
