Should you be having your wedding within a Muslim cultural framework, it's crucial to incorporate elements of the ceremony that adhere to Islamic religious principles. This guide is designed to assist you, whether you're organizing a conventional Muslim wedding or a celebration that blends classic Islamic practices with widely embraced Western customs, in ensuring that all aspects are appropriately handled.
Traditionally, Muslims undergo a number of pre-wedding rituals before the wedding day. The first is Istikharah, or seeking the blessings of Allah for their future marriage.
Nikah
Nikah, a wedding ceremony in Islam, is a very important event and must be planned with care. There are several things that need to be considered and the couple needs to take into account their budget and other requirements.
Depending on the bride and groom, the Nikah can be a grand occasion or an intimate one. The event is also a great time to celebrate with family and friends and to wish the new couple well.
The Nikah is an Islamic ceremony that takes place at the local mosque or a private home. During the Nikah, the groom makes a proposal to the bride and then the couple makes their commitment to each other.
After making their commitment to each other, the couple signs a written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah") that is witnessed by two witnesses. This document is then registered with the masjid and will ensure that their marriage is legal in the country they live in. This is a very important step, as it will satisfy their civil obligations and make their marital rights valid.
In many cases, the Nikah is conducted by a Muslim cleric and is attended by at least two witnesses for both the groom and the bride. After the Nikah is performed, a Khutba-tun-Nikah (sermon) is delivered to solemnise or bless the marriage.
While there are a number of different traditions and customs that can be practiced at a Muslim wedding, the most important part is to follow the religious guidelines of the religion. The more that the couple follows the teachings of Islam, the more successful their marriage will be.
When planning the Nikah, the couple should talk about their expectations and prepare a plan of action that will ensure they have everything they need to make this day the most special and memorable. They should then decide on a date and venue, invite their families and friends, and get the Nikah officiated by a trusted imam.
A key part of the Nikah is the Mahr, or gift. Traditionally, the mahr is money, but it can be anything from property to jewelry to other precious items. It is a sign of respect and love for the bride that the groom will give her his wealth.
Walima
Walima is a wedding feast that takes place after the nikah (Islamic marriage ceremony). The groom and his family organise this event, usually at their residence or a private venue.
This is a great time to introduce the newlyweds to their close friends and families. This is also a good opportunity to exchange gifts and wishes for the couple's future together. The gifts may be a hijab, mosque model, perfumes (ittars), house decor materials or Islamic branded outfits for the bride and groom.
In Islam, it is important to limit the guest list to people who will share your happiness on your wedding day. This will ensure that you do not spend too much money on the party and still have plenty of time for your guests to enjoy themselves.
Moreover, Islamic law does not require that you invite only rich people; it is permissible to invite those who are not rich, but who are essential in your life and who you would like to share the occasion with. This will also help you avoid a lot of embarrassment in front of your loved ones.
The walima is often an elaborate affair that can go up to two days. This is a tradition that originated from the Islamic culture, and it is a way to celebrate the happy couple's union. However, Hanafi scholars advise that only a day's celebration is enough for walima; they say that after two days it becomes too much and loses the spirit of it.
As for the food, it is best to make sure that it is Halal and that there are no alcoholic beverages. The food should be a mix of traditional foods and new items that the couple will enjoy.
Aside from food, the wedding reception also features entertainment sessions for everyone to enjoy. These are a great way to bond with the other guests and create long-lasting memories.
It is also a time to talk about the couple's lives and their journey to their marriage. These conversations may also be a chance for the couple to give advice and wisdom to their attendees.
Chauthi
In Indian Muslim culture, a wedding is a very significant event. It marks the start of a new life for the two families. The entire ceremony is a colorful and memorable experience with several distinct rituals.
The first one is Nikah which is officiated by a religious priest or Maulvi. This is a formal marriage that requires the presence of witnesses from both the families. It is also called as a Nikahnama, and includes the signing of a marriage contract that defines the roles of the groom and the bride in terms of their duties and obligations.
During this ceremony, the groom's family presents the bride with a pre-decided amount of cash called Mehr. This is to seek her consent for the marriage. Once the bride has accepted the money, the Maulvi starts the Nikah by reciting a prayer from the Quran.
After the Maulvi recite the prayer, he asks the bride to give her consent by saying "Qubool hai" in a strong and assertive tone. She has to say this phrase thrice in a row. Then the Maulvi moves on to the groom.
Once both the bride and groom have given their consent for marriage, the Maulvi recite Khutba. This is a religious discourse in which the Maulvi recites paragraphs from the Holy Quran that are equivalent to marriage vows.
At the end of this, the Maulvi signs a Nikah Nama. This is an official document that records the marriage between the couple and is required by law. It is then registered at the local registrar's office.
There are a few other important ceremonies that take place before the wedding day itself. They include Salatul Ishtikara and Imam Zamin.
The latter is a pre-wedding ritual that is conducted by the Imam of the local mosque and involves a special prayer asking Allah for blessings for the future couple. Besides, it is also a time for both the would-be-bride and groom to seek guidance from Allah through prayer.
The most memorable part of this ceremony is the entry of the groom in a Baraat, a grand procession that is held in a spectacular fashion. The groom is escorted by his friends and relatives in a specially decorated car. This is a magnificent sight with cheers going on all around.
Farewell
There are many awe inspiring weddings but the most memorable ones are the ones that bring you closer to your new spouse. The planning process starts with selecting a wedding date and location for the ceremony. Then it's time to start thinking about how you're going to entertain the hundreds of family and friends who'll be there to help you out with their best wishes. The list of must dos goes on and on. One of the most challenging tasks is choosing the right imam to officiate the ceremony. The officiant is responsible for ensuring that the plethora of guests are well behaved. The officiant also has to be a good steward to the bride and groom.
