The hadeeth: “Conceal the engagement and proclaim the marriage”

 

Is it forbidden for muslims to declare the engagement (alkhotoba)? If yes, who are the people supposed to know about the engagement?


Are Close friends allowed to know about it??.

Praise be to Allaah.

This hadeeth was narrated by al-Daylami in Musnad
al-Firdaws, where it says: “Announce the marriage and conceal the
engagement.” This is a da’eef (weak) hadeeth which was classed as such by
al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) in al-Silsilah al-Da’eefah
(2494), and in Da’eef al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer, 922. 

But the first part of it is saheeh with the word “proclaim.”

Ahmad narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Zubayr (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) said: “Proclaim marriages.” This hadeeth was classed as hasan by
al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 1993. 

Proclaiming marriages, in the sense of announcing them and
publicizing them, is obligatory according to the majority of scholars,
indeed it is one of the conditions of a marriage being valid, because the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no
marriage except with a wali (guardian) and two witnesses of good character.”
Narrated by al-Bayhaqi from ‘Imraan and ‘Aa’ishah; classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7557. 

Some scholars regarded it as mustahabb to conceal the
engagement for fear of hasad (destructive envy) which could lead to trouble
between the man and the family of his fiancée, as stated in Haashiyat
al-‘Adawi ‘ala Sharh Mukhtasar Khaleel, 3/167. 

This is supported by the words of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Seek help in meeting your needs by
keeping quiet, for everyone who is blessed is envied.” Narrated by
al-Tabaraani; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’,
943. 

This does not apply only to engagement, rather a person
should not show openly the blessings that Allaah has bestowed upon him to
one who will envy him for that. 

With regard to holding engagement parties, this is something
that many people do, and there is nothing wrong with that in sha Allaah. But
it should be noted that we must adhere to the limits set by sharee’ah in
these parties, so there should be no free mixing of men and women, or use of
musical instruments apart from the daff, because the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) allowed use of the daff in wedding
parties. 

And Allaah knows best.