Salamu alaikum,

This weekend I was invited to a wedding where, after the imam (well respected in the community) completed the writing of the marriage contract, he actually conducted the marriage ceremony in a way similar to a Christian or Western ceremony.

He did read verses of the Quran and some Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but then he did the "Do you accept sister X be your wife?" Then he asked the sister, "Do you accept brother Y to be your husband?" Then, he sort of declared them husband and wife!

I could not help thinking that this act was an imitation of how non-Muslims do their marriage ceremony.

What is the Islamic ruling in this case and what is the daleel (evidence)?

Again the imam did not use anything outside Quran or Hadith in terms of what he said and the book was already written, but this was sort of a show for attendees including non-Muslims who attended the wedding.

I forgot to mention there was music in the background or at least before and after. Many people thought he did a good job and he was very friendly and left a good impression on the non-Muslims.

Please advise on this matter. Wa assalam.

All praise be to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be on the greatest messenger, Muhammad.

As for imitating the non-Muslims in this regard, it is not permissible. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He who imitates a people is one of them." [Reported by Abu Dawood from Ibn Omar]

It is not clear to me whether the imam did this or not, but this is how the ceremony should be conducted:

You ask the parties involved about their acceptance before the conduction of the marriage (not after) and the groom proposes to the bride's guardian (who the bride accepts to marry her off to this particular man) and upon his acceptance, with any one of the following statements: I give you in marriage, I married you to…, etc., the groom accepts the marriage and they become husband and wife without anyone's declaration. In fact, there is no need for an imam to begin with, since the marriage is legitimate with the bride, groom, guardian of the bride and two witnesses. Yet, it is the custom to have the imam conduct the marriage and it is permissible as long as it is not made a requirement. The difference between Islam and other religions in this regard is that Islam doesn't acknowledge the system of priesthood and does not make the people dependent on the clergy in their religious undertakings and those of life that pertain to the religion. A marriage conducted according to Islamic guidelines outside of the mosque and without the presence of any imams is still an Islamic marriage.

The vast majority of scholars indicate that the guardian of the woman must say, "I married you to…" and then the groom says, "I marry her," or, "I accept her marriage." But, Imam Ibn Taymeah said that any form indicative of marriage in the people's customs is valid. (Al-Insaaf 8/45-46) It must be said that we should try to use the exact wording prescribed, just to be on the safe side.

Secondly, you did not mention that the guardian of the groom was involved, and it may have been that the imam was her guardian (which is acceptable if none of her kin is Muslim). If there was no guardian present, but she does have Muslim kin, then one condition would have been lacking in the marriage according to the majority. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

"There is no marriage without a waley (guardian)." [Narrated by Abu Dawood and others, from Abu Moosa al-Ash`ari]

Talk to the imam about your observations in a gentle, non-interrogational manner, and see what he tells you.