What is the duties of the man on the first night of marriage?

ETIQUETTES OF THE FIRST NIGHT

In the ideal Islamic situation, the husband and wife will most probably be total strangers to each other, having no kind of personal contact with each other previously due to the strict laws of hijab and pardah in the Shariah. Coupled with this feeling of strangeness are the natural constraints of haya and modesty, that form an integral part of Imaan. Under the particular circumstances it is quite natural that both the husband and wife will be extremely bashful of each other and under considerable strain and anxiety.

In order to "break the ice", they firstly greet each other with the traditional Islamic greetings of salaam. Thereafter the husband should gently place his right hand on his bride's forehead and recite, 'Allaahumma inniy as-aluka min khayrihaa wa khayri maa feehaa wa khayra maa jabaltahaa alayhi, Wa a'oodhu bika min sharrihaa wa sharri maa feehaa wa sharri maa jabaltahaa alayhi' (Translation; "O Allah 1 I ask You of her goodness, the good within her and the goodness upon which she was created. I seek Your protection from her evil, the evil within her and the evil upon which she was created.)

Thereafter, wudhu and two rakats of Salatul-Hajah maybe offered as a token of gratitude and thereby requesting assistance from Allah [Rabbul-Izzat] for a successful and blessed marriage, pious offspring, etc.

Thereafter, they may read some Deeni literature to each other, particularly on the topic of Nikah, etc.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai