If you're preparing for a Muslim wedding, being mindful of the cultural customs to adhere to is crucial. Enlisting the assistance of a wedding planner can also be beneficial in managing your event's specifics.
One of the first things you’ll need to do is decide on your ceremony date and venue. Once you have that covered, it’s time to start planning the rest of your wedding.
The Nikah
The Nikah is one of the most important and defining events of a muslim wedding. According to Islamic law, this is the most sacred and crucial part of the ceremony, requiring two male witnesses to make sure that the bride and groom are marrying based on their own free will.
During the Nikah, the couple will stand before a Maulvi, an Islamic religious leader, who will read some verses from the Quran and then ask them if they would like to get married. If they say yes, they will repeat the word “qubool” or “I accept,” three times and sign a marriage contract. This is how they become legally married, which is a significant step in the Muslim tradition.
After this, they will both be seated and a khutba, or short sermon, will be delivered about the meaning of marriage and their responsibilities to Allah. This is a must-do, as it can help the couple better understand their responsibilities and how to be happy together.
While a Nikah can be performed at home or at a mosque, most Muslims consider it to be holy and arrange to have it in a mosque. Typically, an imam will officiate the event and he or she will bring a marriage contract so that the couple can sign it.
In Islam, marriage is a religious obligation and it is one of the primary duties of a Muslim. As a result, a muslim wedding involves many different rituals that vary from country to country.
The Nikah is an integral part of a muslim wedding and has been mandated by the Quran as a key duty of a Muslim. It is a sacred, important event that must be celebrated by the bride and groom and their families.
If you are a muslim bride or groom who is planning a Nikah, you need to be aware of all the traditions and customs that are unique to Islam. This will allow you to plan a beautiful ceremony that will be both meaningful and memorable for you, your family, and the rest of your guests.
The Salatul Ishtikara
The Salatul Ishtikara is one of the most memorable and exciting rituals that take place in a Muslim wedding. This ritual marks the official announcement of the couple's union to the community. It also seeks the blessings of Allah and is an opportunity for both the bride and groom to make a final decision about their life together.
The ceremony takes place in a masjid and is performed by a Maulvi. Men and women sit in different areas for the Nikah and a Wali of the bride, who is her father, presents her with Mehr (pre-decided amount of cash to seek her consent). The Maulvi performs prayers and recites verses from the Quran.
After the Nikah is completed, the couple bids goodbye to their relatives and heads for their own home. They are welcomed by their mother-in-law and are given a lot of gifts and love. This is a special moment that would be accompanied by lots of tears and laughter.
At her new home, the bride is greeted by her mother-in-law and she is shown the Holy Quran to remind her of her duties as a wife. She is also sprayed with ittar-scented or rose water by her family members on her arrival.
This ceremony is a part of the pre-wedding rituals and is an occasion to introduce the bride to her groom's family. The groom's family showers the bride with a lot of sweets and gifts.
Upon her arrival at her new home, the bride is greeted with a beautiful welcome by her mother-in-law and the Holy Quran is placed on her head to symbolise her duty as a wife. The groom's family is also greeted and is offered Sherbet, a special drink that is thought to bode well for the marriage.
The final post-wedding ritual is the Chauthi which takes place four days after the wedding. The bride and groom visit the bride's house and are given a grand welcome by her family, who shower them with gifts and food. This is a fun and joyous event that involves music and dancing for all.
The Walimah
The Walimah is a post-wedding ceremony that is held immediately after the nikah ceremony. It is usually organized by the groom's family and serves as a reception for close and distant relatives and friends of the bride and groom. This wedding celebration can be very elaborate, with a large feast and lots of music.
It is also a time when the newlyweds are showered with gifts and blessings. The walimah is also the perfect opportunity to introduce the couple to their extended families and friends. It is a way for the newlyweds to share their stories and give advice to the guests about preparing for a successful marriage.
In many cultures, the walimah takes place at the groom's house because it is where the bride will begin her new life as a wife. It is also a great opportunity for the couple to relax and have some fun with their guests.
Some walimas are quite lavish with a big party that lasts for several days, while others are simple affairs with a few attendees. Regardless of the nature of the walima, the groom and his family are responsible for funding it.
While it is not mandatory to attend the Walimah, religious scholars base their beliefs on several narrations that state that it is binding for one to accept an invitation and attend a wedding banquet. This is a Sunnah, and refusing to do so would be sinful.
Moreover, it is a good practice to attend the walimah and make dua before and after the event. This will ensure that you fulfill your obligations.
The walimah is a very important part of a Muslim wedding, and it is crucial to remember that it should be held in a manner that is Sunnah. This means that it should be well-planned and supervised, and all the food and drinks should be made from authentic ingredients.
Furthermore, it is important to consider that the walima should be kept as simple as possible and not blown out of proportion or extravagantly expensive. This will be much more preferable than spending thousands of dollars in feeding people, which is a large sum that can be used for other essential needs of the Muslims.
The Chauthi
The Chauthi is a formal function that takes place on the fourth day of a wedding. It is a way for the bride to visit her parents and to receive all of their gifts. It also concludes all of the events of a typical Muslim wedding.
Usually, the bride is escorted by her mother-in-law, who brings her gifts and sweets. The groom is then escorted by his family, who also bring him gifts and food. The couple are then invited to their new home, where they are treated with a lavish meal.
After the meal, the bride and groom are seated together and read their first few prayers. After this, they are allowed to look at each other’s reflection in the mirror, which is placed between them. This is called Arsi Mushraf, and it is a crucial part of the ceremony because it is the first time that the bride and groom see each other as husband and wife.
Then, the bride and groom are sworn to each other in a ceremony known as Nikkah. This is the contract that binds them in holy matrimony, and it contains a set of terms that they must abide by and which give them the right to divorce their spouse if necessary.
Once the Nikah is signed, it becomes legal. The bride and groom are then greeted by the older women, who offer them their blessings and pray for the couple.
Another important rite is the Salatul Istikara, which is performed by an Imam or Maulvi. This recitation of Quran verses is a sign of their commitment to each other and demonstrates their desire to be married.
In a Muslim wedding, men and women will normally sit separately at separate tables during the ceremony and at the reception. This is a custom that is common among most Muslims.
Before the actual Nikah, the bride’s family may hold a manjha, which is a sort of bachelorette party. It involves the bride being dressed in yellow and a paste made of turmeric, sandalwood and rosemary being applied to her face and hands.
