Islamic marriages are prevalent globally, with customs differing by region. Nevertheless, the core ceremonies remain consistent.
The bride and groom are separated from each other for the Nikah, with the Maulvi reading Quran verses, asking for their consent to marriage. After consent is given, the couple says “Qubool Hai” three times to confirm their union.
Ijab-e-Qubool
Ijab-e-Qubool (verbal proposal) is the most important part of a Muslim wedding. It is a part of the formal Nikah ceremony, where the bride and groom must accept each other’s proposal, in order to make it legal.
The ceremony is performed by a Maulvi, who recites prayers and seeks Allah’s blessing for the couple. The bride’s father, or Wali, is also present at this event to give her Mehr. This is a special gift that can be given to the bride as a gesture of gratitude for her accepting her husband’s proposal, or a way of showing appreciation for her bringing him into her family.
Traditionally, the amount of this dowry would reflect the social status of the bride’s family. These days, however, it is seen mainly as a symbol of the new bride’s acceptance into her husband’s family.
As part of this ceremony, the groom’s mother visits the bride’s house and presents her with gifts. She also brings a gold or silver coin that is wrapped in a silk cloth. The bride then wraps this around her hand to signify her acceptance into the groom’s family.
After this, the groom is escorted to the venue where the Nikah is held. He is accompanied by his relatives and friends who enter the venue with a splendid Baraat procession.
Mahr
In islamic law, mahr is a type of gift given to the wife by her husband at the time of marriage. It can take the form of movable property such as gold, silver, jewellery, clothes and cars and/or immovable properties such as land or shares.
It is an important part of the nikah ceremony and it must be paid to the bride by her husband, as it is his right. The mahr sum is usually agreed between the bride and groom’s parents or guardians (also known as wali) and it can be written down in a mahr contract.
The mahr is the first act of marriage and it is a sign of the solemnity of the relationship between the couple. It also sets the foundation for a relationship based on giving and respect. It is a symbolic payment, and it is an opportunity for the groom to show his appreciation for his wife.
A woman should be able to decide how much mahr she wishes to accept, and should not be coerced or pressured into accepting something that she does not want or need. Moreover, she should be able to choose the mahr that is in accordance with her financial situation and her husband’s ability to pay.
It is a shame that in some areas of the world, dowries and bride prices have become the norm rather than the exception. These can be very damaging to the families involved, and they are totally out of keeping with the spirit of Islam.
Nikah-Namah
The Nikah-Namah is a legal contract between a bride and groom. It has 25 sections and is signed by both the bride and the groom along with their witnesses.
It is a document that should be read and understood carefully by both the bride and the groom to ensure they are on the same page. It also provides the couple with important rights and obligations that they should take into account when planning their wedding.
A typical stipulation in an Islamic marriage contract covers issues such as equal divorce rights, education, work, domestic responsibilities, and living conditions. There are also stipulations that include a gift from the husband to the wife (mahr), which may be immediate, ongoing, or deferred and is payable upon demand.
Typically, the mahr is given to the bride in addition to financial support from the husband, and it becomes her sole property under traditional Islamic law. However, in some cases, parents may inappropriately take advantage of this legal protection by appropriating the mahr in a clear violation of Islamic teachings.
Some Muslim couples have started requesting female community leaders to officiate their marriage ceremonies instead of their fathers. These community leaders have often regis- tered with the state to secure a formal license that qualifies them as a marriage celebrant. The ceremony is usually conducted in a private location, such as the couple's home.
Arsi Mushraf
Arsi Mushraf is an important ritual performed at a Muslim wedding. It is a moment where the bride and groom get a chance to look at each other for the first time after their marriage. A mirror is kept between the couple and the Holy Quran is placed on top of it.
The maulvi recites the Quran and asks the bride if she consents to the marriage. She has to say “Qubool Hai” thrice in order to give her consent. Then the maulvi asks her to do the same for the groom.
Another pre-wedding ritual is Sanchaq, which is where the groom’s family presents the bride with a special bridal outfit. The outfit is meant to enhance her beauty and add charm.
In some cases, the family also offers a dowry to the bride as a token of love and commitment. This dowry is usually money but it can be in the form of jewelry or even property.
It is believed that by offering this dowry to the bride, the groom is asking for fortune and guidance in her life. This ceremony is also known as Imam Zamin.
After the dowry is given to the bride, she is then invited to the groom’s house where she meets his family. She is then presented with sweets, gifts and an ominous coin which is tied on her wrist. This is an official announcement that she is part of the family.
Fatihah
The first chapter of the Quran, the Fatihah, is read at Muslim weddings. It is a very important part of the ceremony and is supposed to bring blessings for the bride and groom. It is also a time for families to come together and share their wishes for the couple, especially their children.
The marriage contract is also signed at this time. Two witnesses, usually the eldest men of both the groom's and bride's families, sign their names to the document.
There is a lot to get involved with in a Muslim wedding, and some of it may seem overwhelming at first. However, it can be a beautiful celebration of love and friendship.
Before the actual ceremony, there is a haldi ritual where turmeric (Haldi) is applied to the bride and groom's hands, feet, and face in order to prepare them for marriage. It is generally done a day or two before the main nikah ceremony takes place.
Another important element of the wedding ceremony is the meher, or gift, that the groom gives the bride. It's a gift that signifies his love for her and his commitment to her as a wife. It's a two-part gift; part of it will be delivered before the marriage is consummated, and the rest will be given to the bride throughout her life.
The wedding is also full of traditional dances and folk performances. These are known as dabke and can be very fun for the entire family to enjoy.
Savaqah
Savaqah (Arabic for righteousness) is a voluntary charitable act performed without expectation of any reward from the angels of Allah. It can range from a one-off donation to an animal shelter to helping someone who is lost or homeless.
The word is derived from the root sidq, meaning 'to be sincere' or 'to speak truthfully' and is used thirteen times in the Qur'an. The Islamic concept of savaqah is a sign of sincere faith that the good deeds count for mercy on Judgement Day.
It is a practice in Muslim communities for parents or guardians to arrange marriages for their children once they reach a suitable age and level of maturity. This is a well-known method of mate selection that produces happy and stable marriages.
Muslims also give generously to the needy, ensuring that their community has an adequate living standard and can meet the basic needs of its people. This generosity is not limited to monetary aid but includes giving time and attention to a person who may be lonely or in need of assistance.
After the wedding, the bride and groom celebrate their new life together with a feast called walimah (an event in which relatives, neighbors and friends come together to honor them). While some Islamic scholars have allowed lavish celebrations for marriages, Islam discourages extravagance. The Prophet praised modest gifts and urged Muslims to avoid extravagant displays of wealth in wedding ceremonies, as ostentation can lead to immoral behavior and unhappiness in the married life.
