Islamic matrimonial ceremonies are significant events for Muslim partners and their relatives. Should you plan to be a guest at one, it's important to be aware of several aspects.
Typically, a bride and groom sit next to each other with their heads covered with a veil. They're then allowed to look at each other's reflection in a mirror held between them. This is called Arsi Mushraf.
Arsi Mushraf
Islamic wedding days are a series of ceremonies and celebrations that occur after the official marriage. Usually, these wedding ceremonies take place in the bride's home. Some of these rituals are common in most muslim homes, while others differ based on region and culture.
Arsi Mushraf is a wedding tradition where the bride and groom finally see each other for the first time after their official marriage. It involves the couple sitting together - with their heads covered in a veil or scarf - and a mirror and the Holy Quran placed between them. They are allowed to look at each other's reflections for the first time as husband and wife.
After the ceremony, there is a meal served to the guests. The Imam will also recite the Fatiha prayer, which is believed to bring good luck to the new couple.
Another wedding tradition is Dowry, which is a gift given by the groom to his bride. This gift can be in the form of money, jewelry, or property. It is a sign of respect and devotion to the bride.
In Muslim weddings, the bride is usually presented with a large amount of money from her family. The maulvi then asks her whether she is agreed to the marriage, which she must reply to three times - "Qubool hai" in an affirmative tone.
This is a stipulation that must be met in order for the wedding to be legally completed. This is also called the Ijab-e-Qubool, and it is a very serious part of the Nikah ceremony.
The bride must say "Qubool hai" three times to be considered in the marriage, and this must be repeated with the groom. It is a very emotional and solemn ritual, and it is the most significant wedding event of the muslim community.
The final wedding day is a grand ceremony known as Walimah, where the newlyweds sit on a throne and greet guests from both sides. It is a public declaration of the marriage, and it also includes a feast and plenty of dancing.
Rukhsat
Rukhsat is the first ritual that follows a Muslim wedding. It is an occasion where the bride bids tearful goodbye to her family and sets off for her husband’s home. She is greeted warmly by her mother-in-law and the Holy Quran is placed on her head as a reminder of her duties as a wife.
The groom wears a kurta pajama or a sherwani combined with churidaar and traditional jewelry. He may also wear a turban or a scarf in place of a shawl to add to the formality.
He usually wears a white shirt and black trousers, but he may also choose to wear a different color if the bride prefers. This is an important aspect of a Muslim wedding, and it helps to show that the couple is joining their lives together in a sacred way.
There are many other rituals that take place at a Muslim wedding. These can range from simple to elaborate, depending on the wishes of the couple and their families.
One of the most significant ceremonies is the Nikah ceremony. During this event, the couple gets to say their vows to each other. They will also recite a verse from the Quran and the minister will pray for them.
This ceremony is a crucial part of any wedding, and it is a chance for the groom to officially ask the bride to be his wife. This is the time when they make their commitments to each other and pledge to be honest, faithful, loving and obedient to each other throughout their life together as a married couple.
The Nikah ceremony is also the time when the couple signs a marriage contract which legally binds them to each other as husband and wife. It is a momentous and emotional time for the couple, as they promise to love and respect each other in their new lives together as husband and wife.
The marriage will be sealed by a marriage officiant, either an Imam or Maulvi. They will read some verses from the Quran, and then the couple will recite “Quubool hai,” or “I do,” three times. This is a sacred moment between the bride and groom, as it confirms their commitment to each other and to Allah.
Mehndi
Mehndi is a very important part of any islamic wedding day. It is a time for the women of a family to come together and get their hands and feet decorated with beautiful henna designs. It is also a time for families to bond and love one another.
The Bride's family calls a Mehndi Artist or family member to their home and the Bride, her family and guests gather for the occasion. Traditionally, the Mehndi was applied by a person who was close to the family, but nowadays the designs have become much more elaborate and are applied by professional Henna artists.
After the henna has been applied the women gather around the artist and the bride's relatives or friends sing traditional Mehndi songs with the help of dholaks. During the Mehndi ceremony, the Henna is applied on the front and back of the bride's palm, forearm, till above her elbows and on the feet till below the knee.
During this time the Mehndi Artist creates different intricate henna designs. Depending on the type of henna that is used, the designs can be quite elaborate and beautiful. The Henna is usually applied for at least two hours, allowing the paint to dry completely before the designs can be removed.
Henna is an important part of islamic wedding days and has many benefits. It protects the couple against viral diseases that may come up before or during the wedding due to stress and other reasons, it also helps with healing cuts, burns, and other minor injuries that may occur because of the customs and traditions.
Mehndi is also a time for the bride's and groom's families to come together and have fun. It is a very important and lively celebration, and it usually includes delicious food stations, raucous dances, and a variety of mehndi designs.
In most Indian and Pakistani weddings the mehndi party is held a few days before the actual wedding. Traditionally the party was held at the bride's house, but today it is more common for the mehndi party to be held in an outside venue.
Walima
Once the couple is officially married, a special meal called Walima is arranged for the families and friends of both the bride and groom. This meal is meant to be a celebration of their new life together and serves as a way for the couples’ family members and friends to get to know one another.
The walima ceremony is a must for any Muslim marriage and should take place as soon as possible after the nikah. It is a tradition that is considered Sunnah and it is believed to bring the couple closer to their loved ones. However, there are certain guidelines that must be followed to ensure the walima is conducted in a way that is Shariah-compliant.
Traditionally, the walima is held after the wedding and is hosted by the groom’s side. This may change over time, but the general idea is still that the walima is a formal meal for the couple’s family and friends.
This feasting event is also a chance for the bride to meet her husband’s family and friends and introduce herself publicly. It is usually a lavish affair that requires the groom’s family to dig deeper into their pockets and spend a lot of money.
In some cases, only the bride’s family and a few close friends are served at the walima, but in other cases, all the guests are welcomed. The food should be provided with love and simplicity, as it is important to feed the guests with meals that are pure from their hearts.
After the walima, the newlyweds will head to their respective homes for the first time as man and wife. This will be an emotional moment for the couple as they bid farewell to their old lives and begin anew.
The groom will arrive at the bride’s home in a traditional Islamic fashion, usually on a horse or donkey. He will be escorted by his party and relatives.
Once the groom arrives at the bride’s home, he will be welcomed by her mother and extended a warm welcome. She will then place a copy of the Quran on her head as a symbol of her duty to serve her husband.
