I wanted to know if someone had any recommendations for Imaam’s for nikkah ceremony. I’m going to have the nikkah on stage on shadi day. I don’t know yet if both me and hubby to be will be on stage together or I’ll do the traditional thing and not walk in til after nikkah. Any thoughts on that?
Anyway I am looking for an Imaam. I’ve been to some weddings where the Imaam has been a bit too preachy. I have also sometimes felt like to a non-muslim sitting in the shadi, the Imaam is not giving across the greatest vibe (because even I get upset at some of the stuff that is said, so imagine them!). I wanted to get some recommendations on an imaam who is more about religion/respect each other/equal rights etc. vs. ‘listen to your husband’. Do you know what I mean? Wedding is this fall.
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
Hands down Sheikh Alaa Elsayed from ISNA. He is not an extremist type at all, in fact he is actually very humorous and keeps everyone thoroughly engaged during the nikkah ceremony.
We used him for our nikkah which we also had on stage on the shaddi day. We had non-muslims in attendance as well so this sheikh was perfect because he is more moderate than many other imams in the way he talks, subject of his speech etc.
I know what you mean about some imams being too preachy and in a way that will make EVEN Muslims uncomfortable.
Go with Sheikh Alaa Elsayed. Trust me you won't be disappointed.
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
I second Shaykh Alaa! :) He is awesome.
We wanted him to do our Nikkah but he was unavailable that day. We went with Shaykh Yusuf Badat from Islamic Foundation and he was great too - to the point and very relatable. He cracked some jokes too and talked about responsibility of husband and wife to each other :)
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
**Anyway I am looking for an Imaam. I've been to some weddings where the Imaam has been a bit too preachy. I have also sometimes felt like to a non-muslim sitting in the shadi, the Imaam is not giving across the greatest vibe (because even I get upset at some of the stuff that is said, so imagine them!). **I wanted to get some recommendations on an imaam who is more about religion/respect each other/equal rights etc. vs. 'listen to your husband'. Do you know what I mean? Wedding is this fall.
At my brother's wedding the imam talked about AIDS and gay people.. It was absolutely horrific..
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
You can also try Shaykh Ismail from Makkah masjid in Pierrefonds, QC. He does trips to Toronto and may be available. I had the same fears as you. He performed my nikkah last fall and gave a small speech in English, (can also speak urdu), which was quite nice and I think had a joke in there too.
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
At my wedding here in the GTA the imam preached that women should not step out of the house without their husband's permission, or ever invite anyone even her own parents, without the husband's permission. The men present had a great laugh about it, the women present were somewhat less than amused for some reason.
There's one imam who's name I don't know who is just hilarious. At one wedding, upon taking the stage to do the nikkah (after the girl had signed from seclusion the bridal room) he took the mic, addressed the groom and said "Alhumdulillah brother, I don't believe it! I asked the girl if she would marry you and she actually said yes!"
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
I wish lol
Can’t remember the details now but the basic gist was about how marriage stopped homosexuality and AIDS.. People literally sat there with their mouths open and afterwards my parents were asked what the hell was that about
Re: Recommendations for Imam in Greater Toronto Area
For my nikkah which is coming soon insha'allah.. we have gone for Shiekh Imam Zahir. He is head imam for Jamat ul Ansar here in Brampton. I think he is Guyanese with Indian roots but..very nice molvee sahab..
