Q: A young man studied until he became one of the greatest scholars. He then heard that his parents' marriage contract was concluded with Salat-ul-Fatih (Remembrance from the Tijaniyyah order) that states, "O Allah! Send Your blessings on Muhammad Al-Fatih (the Opener) of what is closed, the Seal of what preceded him, and the one who supported Al-Haqq (the Truth) with Al-Haqq." When he heard this, he gathered the scholars to rectify the situation at once. Is this man considered his father's son; whether this marriage was concluded out of ignorance or according to Al-Tijaniyyah (a deviant Sufi sect embracing strange beliefs far from Islam) order that reached us through Ahmad Al-Tijany? Please advise us concerning this serious problem, while mentioning the evidence and printing them on paper, so that this issue is clearly solved. I would like to receive the answer by the beginning of the next month. Allah is the One Who guides us and leads us to the right way. May we enter Jannah (Paradise) with Allah's Mercy and Generosity; He is the One Who answers all prayers. As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you)

(Part No. 18; Page No. 100)  A: Reciting Salat-ul-Fatih on concluding a marriage contract does not nullify the contract, because it is recommended to deliver a speech before concluding it, even though it is not one of the conditions of marriage. This speech is Khutbat-ul-Hajah (prelude to a sermon or speech) that was authentically reported from Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) in his saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) taught us Khutbat-ul-Hajah that goes as follows: "Praise be to Allah, we thank Him, seek His help, ask for His forgiveness, and seek refuge with Him from the evils of ourselves. Those whom Allah guides there is none to lead them astray; and those whom Allah leads astray there is none to guide them. I testify that there is none worthy of being worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger. O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allâh)]. O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwâ (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women; and fear Allâh through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you. O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allâh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise). (Part No. 18; Page No. 101) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.