The Islamic marriage solemnization ceremony is a crucial element of the wedding day for both the bride and groom who follow Islam. This event can occur either in a private residence or within a mosque.
It’s essential that a number of requirements are met before the ceremony can take place, including mutual consent and a mahr agreement. Then, the couple can officially tie the knot.
1. Henna
Henna is one of the most important rituals in an islamic wedding akad. It is used by Muslim brides to decorate their hands and feet a few days before the wedding. The henna paste is painted onto the body in intricate patterns that hold meanings for the couple.
The paste is also believed to contain barakat, an unseen flow of positive energy that will bring blessings for the couple. This is done to make the groom and bride feel closer to each other before they enter the mosque for their wedding ceremony.
Traditionally, the henna night is held at the bride’s home; however, it can also be celebrated at a separate venue. The decision on where to host the event is based on factors such as the number of guests and the ease of access.
Henna nights are a fun way to celebrate the bride’s upcoming nuptials with friends and family. They are not expensive, and the budget will depend on how many guests attend the henna night and the type of entertainment hired.
Before the henna night, the bride and her family will do some preparations to ensure that their skin is as soft and smooth as possible. The preparations include washing the bride’s hair, applying perfumes to her head and body, feeding her with special foods, putting creams on her skin and coloring her fingernails with henna.
Henna is a tradition that has evolved over time. It has been used to decorate the hands and feet of women for centuries in North Africa, South Asia, and Middle East. The henna paste is used for its beauty benefits as well as its healing properties.
2. Arsi Mushaf
One of the more memorable aspects of an islamic wedding akad is the Arsi Mushaf. This is the first time the bride and groom see each other for the first time as husband and wife. It takes place in the most auspicious of places and is a time-honoured tradition in most Indian Muslim households. The bride and groom sit side by side in front of a mirror with the Holy Quran held aloft to seek divine blessings and to get their bearings. The most enduring part of this ritual is watching the happy couple look each other in the eye and realize they are now husband and wife for good.
The Arsi Mushaf is a great way to celebrate your nuptials with family and friends in a unique manner. For most Indian Muslims, this is a significant milestone in the lives of the new husband and wife as it signifies their entry into the Islamic fold. It also happens to be a fun and exciting event for all involved. The bride and groom are treated like royalty and are showered with gifts, love and lots of luck. It’s a momentous occasion that most people will remember for the rest of their lives.
3. Groom’s Entry
The groom and bride’s entry into the islamic wedding akad is generally a very dramatic occasion. They are often accompanied by drummers, dancers, and other guests. They enter through the front of the building and walk down the aisle. Usually, the wedding ceremony starts with a recitation of verses from the Quran that marks the beginning of their engagement and marriage.
The bride is then brought up on stage and the groom is seated behind her. They usually take turns reciting the first chapter of the Quran as a couple, either in Arabic or in English.
After the recitation, both the groom and the bride sit down facing each other. The wali (father of the bride) or imam will then say the words as to offer her in marriage, and the groom will respond by accepting that he has accepted that offer. He will then sign the marriage contract and give mas kahwin (a sum of money given by the groom to the bride) as a gift.
Once the akad nikah is completed, the groom will do a short prayer (solah) before going to his wife and placing the marriage ring on her finger. This is called the membatal air sembahyang, or “breaking of the solah ablution.”
The kadi (official solemniser) will then pronounce the couple as husband and wife. He will also recite prayers for a happy and prosperous marriage to the couple. He will also read to the groom his responsibilities and rights as a husband, and the bride’s rights and duties as a wife. He will also speak to the bride to determine that she accepts her marriage with the groom of her own free will.
4. Shaadi
Shaadi is the first step in a traditional Muslim wedding. It is a ceremony in which the bride and groom are sealed together as husband and wife. It is an important part of a Muslim wedding and a great way to bond with the family.
It can be held in a mosque and it should be officiated by an imam or officiant. He will also provide the couple with a marriage contract, which can be signed by the two witnesses. The imam can also provide a Mahr for the marriage, but it is best to decide before the ceremony so there is no confusion or awkwardness when the couple is seated in front of the Qazi (the judge).
A mahr can be a significant amount of money, and is an important part of the Muslim culture. There is no set amount, but it should be enough for the groom to provide for his wife for at least a few years.
After the Nikah, the couple can have a banquet to celebrate their union with friends and family. This may be a few days after the Nikah or it can happen at the same time as the wedding.
Often times the Shaadi is followed by the Walima, which is another major feast that announces the marriage to family and friends. Traditionally this celebration can span over a weekend.
The walima is usually hosted by the bride’s family and it can be quite festive and fun. Guests can have their pictures taken with the bride and groom, and there are also other fun activities that take place during this event.
This is a very special day for the bride as it is the last night before her wedding and she gets to spend it with her parents and family. It is a very emotional time for her as she is leaving her childhood home and will soon start a new life with her husband.
5. The Banquet
The banquet, also known as the walima, is one of the most important parts of a Muslim wedding. It is a time when family and friends are invited to the bride and groom’s home to celebrate their marriage.
The walima is considered a sunna of the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and is a great way to show gratitude and honor to the bride and groom. Guests are encouraged to attend this event and should not be turned away, even if they don’t eat.
Before the walima, there are several other important pre-wedding rituals that happen. The first is the Salatul Ishtikara, which entails a visit from the groom’s mother to the bride’s house to welcome her and offer gifts and sweets. A symbolic gold or silver coin is also brought along and tied around the wrist of the bride as she is welcomed into her new family.
Next, the bride and groom must consent to their marriage by saying “Qubool Hai,” which means “I do,” thrice. The bride and groom must both be covered up in a hijab, keeping their faces hidden during this process.
Afterward, the couple will sign their marriage contract to make their union official. The document is called the nikah and it can be signed by the bride, the groom, their fathers, or any other male member of their families.
The nikah ceremony is one of the most important aspects of a Muslim wedding and is a beautiful way to honor Islam. It is an intimate ceremony that includes recitations from the Quran and a blessing for the couple. The bride and groom will then be wed in front of all their guests.
