Muslim Wedding Ceremony

It is known as 'Nikah' in Urdu, the Muslim marriage is the most important ceremony for the Islam. It is a much awaited occasion, wherein the union of two souls is celebrated in an elegant and charming way. It is not just restricted to a single day. The formal procedures are divided into pre-wedding, wedding and post wedding, each being different from the other. The pre-wedding rituals make a Muslim wedding a very fascinating event to watch. The pre-wedding rituals of the Islam marriage are broadly divided into four phases. Check out information on the pre-wedding Muslim rituals in the following lines.

The first phase of the pre-wedding Muslim rituals is known as Istikhara, wherein the religious head takes the approval of the Almighty to perform the wedding. After the consent, the groom's mother pays a visit to the bride's house along with sweets and Imam-Zamin, a silver or gold coin wrapped in silken cloth. The custom of tying the coin onto the upper portion of the bride's hand is called the Imam-Zamin ceremony. This is followed by Magni, which is a custom wherein the groom's family members pay a visit to the bride's house both the groom and the bride's family exchange sweets and fruits.

The Mehndi ceremony is held at the home of the bride on the eve of the wedding ceremony or a couple of days before it. The female relatives of the girl anoint her with turmeric paste to bring out the glow in her complexion. A relative or a mehndiwali applies mehndi on the hands and feet of the bride. The event has a festive feel to it with the women singing traditional songs. The bride wears sober clothes. According to custom she must not step out of the house for the next few days until her marriage. The bride's cousins sometimes apply a dot of mehndi on the palm of the groom.

A Muslim husband has to agree a financial deal with the prospective wife before marriage. This money present is known as the mahr, and is a payment made to the bride which is hers to keep and use as she wishes. The reason is that even if the girl has nothing, she becomes a bride with property of her own. If the bride later seeks a divorce which the husband does not wish for, she is allowed to return him the money and seek what is known as a khul divorce. Normally, if a divorce takes place for the usual reasons, the bride would be entitled to keep the mahr. Sometimes a bride (or her family) demands an enormous mahr. The Prophet (pbuh) set the example of modest sums, and many Muslim women generously use their money to support their husbands and families in some way, although they are not obliged to do so. If a woman has money of her own, she is not obliged to spend it on her husband or family, but a Muslim husband has the obligation to be able to keep and support his wife and children himself, at his own expense. If a wife goes out to work, or donates money, this is to her credit and is regarded as an act of charity (sadaqah).

The groom arrives at the wedding venue with his baraat. A band of musicians strike up some traditional notes to announce their arrival. The groom shares a drink of sherbet with the bride's brother. The bride's sisters play pranks and slap the guests playfully with batons made of flowers.

Nikaah is the wedding ceremony that can take place at some convenient venue or else at the bride or groom’s residence. The ceremony is conducted by the Maulvi (priest). Close friends and relatives witness the happening of the event. The father of the bride and groom, addressed as Walis, have an important role to play in the performance of nikaah. The priest reads certain verses from the Quran. Thereafter, Ijab-e-Qubul (proposal and acceptance) takes place. The groom's side sends the proposal and the bride’s side gives her consent. For the legality of marriage, mutual consent is of prime importance. On the wedding day, the elderly members of both the families decide the amount of Mehar (nuptial gift). Mehar is a mandatory price that the groom’s family must pay to the bride.

The Nikaahnaama is a document in which the marriage contract is registered. It contains a set of terms and conditions that must be respected by both the parties, also gives the bride the right to divorce her husband. For the contract to be legal, it must be signed by the bridegroom, the bride, the Walis, and the Maulvi.

The bridegroom seeks the blessings from the older women. As a mark of respect, the groom offers them ‘salaam’. People give their heartiest wishes to the newly wed.

Usually, the women and the men dine separately. After dinner, the newly-weds sit together for the first time. Their heads are covered by a dupatta while they read prayers under the direction of the maulvi (priest). The Quran is placed between the couple and they are allowed to see each only through mirrors.

With tearful eyes, the bride’s family and friends bid her goodbye, before she leaves for her house with her husband. The bride’s father places his daughter’s hand in the hand of his son-in-law and requests him to take good care of his dear daughter.

Giving a warm welcome to her daughter-in-law, the groom’s mother raises the Quran above her head, as she enters her new home.

Chauthi custom takes place on the fourth day after marriage, in which the bride visits her parental house.

Valimah ceremony is the lavish reception party that the groom’s family hosts for welcoming the bride. It is an occasion that aims to facilitate intimate relationships between the two families.