Muslim weddings are steeped in various traditions and rituals. While several are distinctively Islamic in nature, others do not follow the same religious practices.
One of the most important aspects of a Muslim wedding is the Nikah. It is a legal ceremony that can be done at a Mosque or in someone’s home.
Tolbe or Tulba
Tolbe or Tulba is a Muslim wedding tradition that takes place before the groom announces his marriage to the bride's family. During this ceremony, the groom asks the bride's family for their blessing and permission to marry their daughter.
If the family accepts the marriage, they will recite the first seven verses of the Koran together as a sign that the wedding is guided by Allah. The groom also offers a mahr, or dowry payment, to the bride out of respect and courtesy.
The ceremony is held in a large open space, where the guests are welcomed with drinks and a belly dancer or singer. Food is served in huge plates and customary dishes include fattah, pieces of lamb meat embedded in rice and bread dipped in stew.
While a Muslim wedding is often similar to a western wedding in many ways, there are some important differences. For example, women are not allowed to drink alcohol at a Muslim wedding, and cocktails and other alcoholic beverages aren't served during the wedding.
Gender segregation is another common tradition in Muslim weddings. Men and women may be separated by tables or rooms during the entire wedding, though less devout Muslims may allow them to mingle freely.
Henna party : Some Muslim brides plan henna parties before their wedding, in which a close friend of the bride decorates her hands and feet with henna designs. The party usually involves singing Arabic songs and dancing.
Radwa : This small event takes place one or two days before the wedding and is a way for the groom's relatives to help with the preparations for the bride's wedding. In some cases, the groom's relatives will visit the bride's home and help with any decoration issues that need to be resolved.
Katb Al-Kitaab
The Katb Al-Kitaab is a Muslim wedding ceremony that takes place before the actual wedding. During this time, the groom and bride ask their respective families for their blessings. They also read a short prayer from the Holy Quran called "Surah al-Fatiha."
After a brief exchange of oaths, a sheikh lays out the terms of the marriage and the couple signs their official contract. This is a crucial part of the Muslim wedding ceremony, as it sets the groundwork for the rest of their lives together.
This ceremony is typically held in a mosque or open park, and the guests arrive before the wedding party. They are greeted with gifts and sweets, and the atmosphere is filled with sounds of zagarit zGryT (speakers in weddings use their tongues to make a sound like "lulululy") as they celebrate their new lives together.
Following the nikah, many couples opt to have a walima (wedding feast). This celebration is similar to a Western wedding reception, but it lasts longer and involves much more food.
At the walima, guests can expect to see plenty of halal food and traditional dancing. This is a great way to bond with friends and family who have been there through thick and thin with the couple.
After the walima, the bride and groom will lead their friends and family in a parade of cars as they leave the venue. As they drive through town, friends and relatives will play loud music and honk their horns to let everyone know that they just got married!
The Katb Al-Kitaab and the walima are two of the most important wedding functions in Islamic culture. They are a reflection of the deep spiritual significance of marriage and are considered very sacred events. They are important to the Muslim community and serve as a symbol of hope for new couples.
Nikah
The nikah is the Islamic wedding ceremony that binds a man and a woman together. It involves the signing of a Muslim marriage contract, which acts as both a religious and civil agreement. This marriage contract must be signed by a minimum of two male witnesses to ensure that both parties are agreeing to the marriage, of their own free will.
A nikah can be performed by an Imam or a Qazi (Islamic judge) at a mosque, or it can take place in the couple’s home. The officiant may also give a short sermon, or khutba.
In some cases, a wali, or male guardian, is appointed to accept the nikah on behalf of the bride. In other cases, men and women are separated during the nikah, but this depends on the religion of the couple, as well as their family’s traditions.
At the end of the ceremony, the couple and the two witnesses sign a Nikah contract, which the officiant can provide or the couple can get their own, making the Nikah legal according to both civil and religious law. This is the document that will be used to register your marriage with the local government, so it’s important that you make sure it is properly recorded and signed.
After the Nikah, the couple and their guests celebrate the event by giving each other gifts and sweets. These gifts, known as Sanchaq, usually include food and sweets, perfumes, and the bridal outfits that will be worn on the day of the Nikah.
Walima
Once a Muslim couple has officially been married, the groom's family organizes a feast to celebrate their togetherness called Walima. This event is a huge part of Islamic culture and has a deep meaning attached to it.
The word walima is derived from the Arabic word ‘walam’, which means together. It is a celebration of the marriage and a chance for the newlyweds to show gratitude towards their parents, in-laws, and friends for helping them make this huge transition in their lives.
A wedding walima can last up to two days, where guests are treated to full blast entertainment. This will give them a chance to create lasting memories with the new couple.
In Islam, the walima is a Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam. This is a great way for the couple to publicise their union and show their gratitude to Allah.
While the walima is a big event in Islamic culture, many people are beginning to question whether it should be held at all. In fact, a growing number of Muslim couples are opting to postpone or do away with the walima entirely.
One of the biggest concerns is the cost of hosting a Walima. The traditional system dictates that the bride and her family pay for the wedding, whilst the groom's family pays for the valima (see below).
Fortunately, there has been a shift in this tradition. While the groom's side still shoulders the costs of the wedding, they also take responsibility for the walima and make sure that the day is a success.
When planning a Walima, it is important to ensure that the ceremony follows the Quran's teachings. For example, it is not permissible to have alcohol as part of the refreshments. Similarly, it is a serious religious violation to have men and women dancing together.
Zaffe
The Zaffe (roughly translated to entrance) is one of the most famous Muslim wedding traditions, and it's a great way to bring in some fun into your reception. It's an upbeat ceremony that starts before the main event, and you'll see different musicians and dancers leading into the room.
It's a great way to get your guests excited about the wedding and to make sure everyone's eyes are on you! The zaffa is often accompanied by Arabic drums and string instruments, as well as dabke performers.
A zaffeh is a popular dance performance that originates in the Middle East and is performed at every wedding. There are a lot of different zaffa groups out there, and they each have their own unique style.
They'll typically start with a troupe of women wearing bright dresses and scarves full of many different colors. They'll play Arabic drums and string instruments as they dance alone at first, but then they'll invite the guests on the dance floor to join them.
Once they've gotten the party started, a group of men will enter with dabke instruments and lead the crowd in a traditional dance. They'll clap their hands and move with the rhythm of the music.
Afterwards, the bride and groom sit on a dais or kosha, from which they rule as king and queen for a moment. This is a very important step in Islam and the guests must respect the couple and their wishes for the marriage.
Another big part of a Muslim wedding is the barmet al-armos, or "banquet of rejoicing". The couples are driven to their new home with family and friends in a flashy car. They'll be greeted by loud music and honks from their loved ones.
