Muslim Weddings: Muslim Marriage Ceremony

Dating in Islam is not encouraged and prospective couples are formed through arranged meeting organized by elders. In Islam, a marriage is a contract and is completed just through the Nikah. The other celebrations are not compulsory.

PRE WEDDING

Mehndi Ceremony

This tradition follows the main Asian culture and dates back to the Mogul era. The ceremony is mainly held at the bride’s house on the eve of the wedding ceremony or a few days before the wedding. During the Mehndi function, henna is applied to the bride and all the people from the groom’s side visit the bride. She is gifted with a ‘climb’ (a long fabric to cover the head), other gifts and sweets. The people from the bride’s family then go the groom’s house with gifts and sweets. It is a fun event and lots of people sin, dance and have fun.

WEDDING DAY CEREMONY

Nikah

The Nikah is the legal binding of the couple in a civil ceremony which is conducted by a Maulvi (priest). The bride is asked three times in the presence of her Wali (usually her father or uncle) if she accepts the marriage proposal. The Maulvi reads selected verses from the Holy Quran and the Nikah is considered as complete after the ljab-e-Qubul (proposal and acceptance).

The bride and the groom then sign a n kaah-naama (a document in which the marriage contract is registered). It contains a set of terms and conditions that must be followed by both the families; it also gives the bride, the right to divorce her husband. The Meher is’a compulsory amount of money given by the groom’s family to the bride on the day of the wedding.

POST WEDDING

Ritichsati

It is quite a sentimental moment where the bride and groom are both blessed as they bid goodbye to their family members.

Valimah

Valimah or the reception party is hosted by the family of the groom. It is a happy occasion. Both families are able to interact informally without the stresses of the wedding day.

Chauthi

The Chauthi is the fourth day after the wedding. It is customary for the bride to visit the home of her parents on this day.