Family and close friends were gathered at 2.50 PM, waited for the arrival of the bride-groom's entourage. The boy's family arrived at 3.05 PM. Gifts from the both sides were laid out beautifully on the carpet of the main prayer hall. An old friend, Sanuddin, acted as the spokes-person for the ceremony, started the opening greetings.
By 3.15 PM, the Imam began the "Akad Nikah" ceremony with advise to the male and female of their duties and responsibilities as husband and wife, the proper conduct of handling disputes and other matters under the Syariah Law of Marriage.The groom, myself and my daughter were asked to put our signatures on two sets of forms.
Hah! Somewhere during the Imam's speech, little tears flowed in my eyes. Images played in my mind of my "little girl" and how fast she has grown up.
The Imam asked me, whether I will perform the "Lafaz Akad" by myself or to allow him to be my representative. I replied that I would like to perform it myself since Nur Amalina is my only daughter. The Imam allowed the groom and I to have a practice run. The practice went well.
The moment of truth, the real "Lafaz Akad" was pledged between myself (father of the bride) and the groom, my daughter's husband. The two male witnesses agreed that the pledge was true and clear. I have passed my daughter to the man of her choosing to be her husband.
Mohamad Fazree and Nur Amalina proceeded to put on the wedding rings on each other's finger.
My dear daughter has now become someone's wife. May Allah bless their marriage and may they live happily ever after.
