If you're organizing a Muslim wedding or aspiring to be the master of ceremonies at one, incorporating specific traditional aspects can enhance the significance of the celebration.
The Nikah is the central part of a Muslim wedding. This is when the bride and groom are legally married under Islamic law. It's also the time when they sign their Nikah-Namah, or Islamic marriage contract.
1. Introduction
The Islamic wedding is a unique and beautiful celebration. It is not all about the bride wearing a gown and walking down the aisle, but it also involves creating an intimate space between two people who have found love in God.
The ceremony is divided into three parts: the nikah, the walima, and the post-wedding festivities. Understanding these elements of the Islamic wedding will help you better prepare for your big day.
During the nikah, a Maulvi or Iman sits down and asks the bride to consent to marriage by saying “Qubool Hain?” (Do you give your consent?). If she agrees, she responds with “Qubool Hai,” which means “I do.” The Maulvi then reads verses from the Quran and recites a prayer of blessing.
Following this, the groom and bride sign a marriage contract known as the Nikahnama. This legal agreement outlines all the duties and responsibilities they have for each other.
After the nikah, the couple host a feast for family and friends. This is known as the walima and it is an essential part of any Muslim wedding. Guests from all walks of life are encouraged to attend. It is important to invite pious members of the community as well.
2. Welcomes
If you are an emcee and have been asked to give a wedding welcoming speech, you might be a little anxious. You may be worried about how to start your speech or what to say. However, there are many ways to prepare for your role and still ace it.
Getting the wording of your welcome speech just right can make all the difference in how well you are received. You can start by letting the couple know that you’re very happy to be their emcee and that you’ll do your best to ensure they have a fantastic time at their wedding.
Then, you’ll introduce the main characters of the wedding – the bride and groom. It’s important to keep their identity in mind when you write your script, so you can make it relevant to them.
Once the couple arrives at the venue, they are welcomed by their relatives with Sherbet and ittar-scented or rose-water. This is a lovely way to welcome the couple into their new life together.
During the ceremony, the Iman or Maulvi reads some verses from the Quran and recites a prayer of blessing for the couple. After that, he asks the bride to consent to the marriage by saying “Qubool Hai”, which translates to “I do” three times.
3. The Ceremony
The wedding ceremony is one of the most important parts of an Islamic wedding. It includes various elements that may be unfamiliar to non-Muslim guests. While some of these rituals may be unique to your area, there are some standard elements that you can plan to include in your program.
Typically, this begins with a prayer from the Quran that is read by the Maulvi or Imam. The Maulvi then asks the bride and groom if they are ready to take their marriage vows.
After the couple says their vows, they then sign a contract that legally binds them together. This is known as the Nikah.
In most cases, two male witnesses are required to sign the Nikah contract. This is a pre-settlement for the couple in case of divorce or any other legal issues.
Another part of the ceremony involves a syrah fahita, or a short prayer. This is performed by a Maulvi or Imam and includes a blessing for the couple and an announcement that they are getting married.
This is a part of the wedding ceremony that is often overlooked, but it’s a beautiful moment. It is a chance for the couple to publicly declare their love for one another. It’s also a time for family and friends to celebrate with them and offer their congratulations.
4. The Toast
The wedding emcee script is a document that contains the order of events and the names of the people who will be recognized during the ceremony. It can be used as-is or customized according to the needs of the couple and their guests.
It is important to write this script carefully, and make sure that it reflects the event's theme and the wishes of the parents and the couple. It is also recommended to separate the script into different segments, so that it is easier for the emcee to follow and keep track of time.
After the guests have seated themselves, it is time for the emcee to introduce herself and thank the guests for coming. She should also acknowledge the presence of the couple and their parents.
She will then introduce a montage that shows the couple's journey together so far. This montage can include photos of the couple's childhood or it could be a video of them in their first days as a married couple.
The emcee will then start the toasts, inviting the wedding party and the guests to rise and toast to the couple. These toasts should be based on the wish of the couple's parents and can be made as short or long as they like.
5. The Dinner
The dinner is an important part of the wedding ceremony, where the family and friends of the couple gather together to celebrate their new life as a married couple. The emcee will need to make sure that the dinner is successful and the guests are satisfied with their meal.
The etiquette for the dinner includes mentioning Allah before eating, using the right hand to eat and making small morsels, sitting longer at the table and chewing well. It also includes washing the fruits and vegetables before consuming them, thanking Allah after eating and not looking at others while eating.
Aside from these etiquette guidelines, there are also certain things that are prohibited in Islam. For example, dancing is haraam and should not be done by Muslims at any time, even during a marriage or a gathering of men and women.
Another thing that is considered haraam is buying items that are not from the Islamic world. This is because some items can be deemed to be made from non-Islamic materials, such as shoes, belts, purses and watches that are imported from non-Muslim countries. If you are planning on buying such items, it is best to ask a Muslim friend or family member to check the material before you purchase them.
6. The Dances
One of the most memorable parts of a wedding ceremony is the dances. There are a number of dances to choose from, all with their own unique nuances. Depending on the venue and your budget, you’ll have to pick and choose which ones to include. For the most part, you’ll be working with a set of seasoned professionals who are familiar with the various styles of dancing.
This article will highlight some of the more important dances to watch out for, along with a few other notables you won’t want to miss. For the record, this list will not be exhaustive, but we promise you’ll have a good time and come away with a good memory to boot. We’ll keep the discussion brief so you can enjoy your newfound knowledge. Hopefully, you’ll be able to use your newfound information to plan for your own big day! Until then, happy dancing!
7. The Closing
The closing of an islamic wedding ceremony is a special moment to remember. It’s an opportunity to thank the guests for attending and wish them well in their future journeys. This is also an ideal time to ask the couple for their blessings and congratulate them on their marriage. Before the closing, it’s important for the emcee to have a plan. This should include the names of each person who needs to be introduced. This will help you get organized and avoid making mistakes. For example, if you need to name the bride and groom during this part of the ceremony, write their names down beforehand and use them as you go along. This will make your job much easier!
If you’re asked to be the emcee of an islamic wedding, you might be nervous about your performance. Fortunately, this script can help you take control of the proceedings and deliver a memorable speech for the couple and their guests.
