COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC MARRIAGES; A SURVEY OF IMPACTS IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the causes that led to the commercialization of Islamic marriage in Wa Municipality and assessed it's impact (negative) on Islamic marriages within the Wa Municipality. Marriage is an institution ordained by God for procreation. This institution has various processes, procedures and requirements, however in recent times, there have been observed major change to Islamic marriage worldwide in terms of processes, procedures and requirements including; the Dowry (Mahr), sermon (Nikah) and Walimah (bridal party or dinner). These observed changes prompted the researcher to investigate into the causes and its impact (negative) of the observed changes of Islamic marriage in Wa Municipal. The study focused mainly on four semantic aspects, namely; contracting of Islamic marriage in the Wa Municipality, essential requirements of Islamic marriage in the Wa Municipality, Changes to the essential requirement of Islamic marriage in the Wa Municipality and effects of these changes on Islamic marriage. • The data were gathered through self-administered questionnaires. The survey findings were coded and analyzed using; histograms, bargraghs, percentages, tables and figures to present the findings . The observed changes to Islamic marriage in Wa Municipal was seen by the respondents as unislamic and called for a total eradication of these observed changes. From the study; some recommendations were made for minimizing lavish and extravagant spending on Islamic marriage in the Wa Municipality.