In Jordan, a traditional Muslim marriage ceremony is regarded as a significant milestone that denotes social standing and wealth. This occasion also mirrors changes in cultural norms regarding matrimonial expectations.
The marriage ceremony, or nikah, is the most important part of the wedding. It involves a formal proposal of a match, accompanied by a nikha namah (marriage contract), and an agreed mahr (a Muslim woman's condition for accepting a man into her marriage).
Tolbe or Tulba
Tolbe or Tulba is a pre-wedding ceremony that is usually held at the bride's home. Here, the groom formally asks her parents for her hand in marriage and reads a short prayer from the Quran. After the families give their blessing, a sweet beverage is served and both parties share a light snack together.
The bride and the groom sit on a dais called a kosha, where a sharbat drink is also served. Guests can then celebrate the wedding with dancing and music.
In some cases, a male representative (wali) will stand in for the bride during the ceremony, especially if the couple is separated by gender. This is an important part of the ceremony and allows the groom to have a clear picture of what the bride looks like.
Another popular tradition that is a part of an Arab Muslim wedding is the chopping of the cake. This is an essential part of a traditional Arab wedding, and couples will cut their multi-tiered cake with a sword handed down from their household.
A few days before the wedding, many Muslim brides plan henna parties for their guests. During these events, the hands and feet of the bride are painted with henna designs.
Some Muslim brides may opt for a dry wedding, which is a wedding without alcohol. This is especially common in some parts of the Middle East, where alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
The marriage contract katb Al-kitaab is another important part of an Arab Muslim wedding. It is when the wedding agreement is signed and legalized in the eyes of both the law and religion.
The dowry or fee that the groom must present to his bride is called the Mahr, and it symbolizes love, respect, and courtesy in Islam. This is something that a woman can take with her in the event of divorce, and it's a symbol of the couple's commitment to each other.
Katb Al-kitaab
The katb Al-kitaab is the wedding ceremony. It is often held in a private place with the groom’s family and friends. It is a celebration of the couple’s new life.
In islamic wedding jordan, the katb Al-kitaab begins with a prayer from the Koran. Afterwards, the couples sign a contract, called Nikah. This is a binding agreement, which certifies that the marriage is legal and legitimate in Islamic law.
At the katb, men and women wear traditional attire. This is an important point because it indicates the sanctity of the wedding and that all parties are committed to observing the halaqah.
It is a good idea to wear a headscarf and cover your arms and legs. You should also avoid wearing shorts, dresses or skirts.
This is because a woman’s body is sacred and should be protected. It is also not a good idea to wear a ring or other jewelry in your ears.
In strict Muslim families, it is considered haram to have men attend a wedding. In addition, it is haram to dance with men.
Another haram practice is to invite magicians to perform magic tricks at the wedding party. It is also haram to hire musicians who are not Muslims.
Generally, most Muslims do not engage in such activities at their wedding parties. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a guest is very religious and has a strong moral character, it may be okay to invite him to the wedding. Otherwise, it is a good idea to exclude such people from the party. This is to ensure that all the guests are treated with respect and that the party does not become a social event where the focus is on the guests rather than the couple.
Mahr
Mahr, or gift-giving, is an obligation of every Islamic marriage contract. It can be a monetary amount, like cash or property, or a non-monetary gift, such as a husband teaching his wife chapters of the Quran. It is given to the wife before she officially becomes a wife, in a ceremony known as the nikkah.
In many Muslim countries, mahr is a crucial part of the wedding process, with couples usually agreeing on an appropriate amount and negotiating it out in the nikkah. This is especially true in Jordan, where a high mahr can lead to an increased likelihood that the marriage will be successful.
However, a high mahr can also lead to issues in the future. For example, if the wife receives an excessively large sum of money in the prompt part of mahr, it may be difficult for her to ask for a divorce. This can also lead to a feeling of obligation on her part, as well as an increasing sense of responsibility in making the marriage work.
As a result, it is important that the woman's rights to mahr are protected and respected. This can be done by taking advantage of legal safeguards in the Islamic mahr law, and by using a strong legal defense.
In some cases, men are able to manipulate their wives into paying them an excessive amount of mahr. This is often done through legal manipulation, claiming that the mahr is a "bride price" rather than a gift.
Furthermore, some men attempt to sully their wife's reputation with rumors or lies about her virginity. This can have a serious impact on her ability to remarry in the future, as it is a culturally sensitive issue for women in many Muslim societies.
Dabke
Dabke is a very popular dance that combines circle dancing with line dancing and is often performed at weddings. It may be gender-segregated or co-ed and is accompanied by instruments like flutes, drums and reed instruments.
It is a traditional Jordanian folk dance, and it is based on ancient Canaanite fertility rites that involve agriculture. It involves a series of rhythmic jumps that help ward off bad spirits and protect young plants.
In Jordan, it is commonly performed at marriages and other joyous occasions. The dancers form a line shoulder to shoulder and hold hands or place arms over the neighboring two dancers’ shoulders as they move in a circle, performing movements punctuated by kicks and stomps.
The music for the dance consists of a variety of musical instruments, such as a flute called nay, a drum called tabl, and a reed instrument called mizmar. This group dance has been passed down through generations and is considered a symbol of togetherness and nationalism, making it very popular among Bedouins and non-Bedouins alike.
It’s a very lively dance and is quite difficult for beginners. It requires good footwork, a high level of skill and the ability to keep up with the rest of the group as they dance together.
This type of dancing is also a very important tradition for Palestinians, and it is a way to show their support for their people and their history. It is an essential part of their culture and it is also a very popular dance in the Arab world, as well as around the world.
This dance is also a great way to strengthen social bonds, and it can be performed by any gender. It is a very important ritual and one that you should not miss out on!
Zaffe
Zaffe is a traditional Arab wedding tradition that’s making a big comeback. It’s a fun, festive entrance into the reception that’s characterized by bag pipers and drummers, dancers and more.
The zaffe is performed at weddings in several Middle Eastern countries, including modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. It’s a folk dance that features a belly dancer balancing a lit candelabra on her head and male folk dancers playing drums.
It’s a great way to start your celebration, and it can get very rowdy. The best zaffe wedding bands are able to tailor their dances to the culture of the bride and groom, bringing their heritage to life in an exciting way that will have everyone at your event on their feet.
A zaffe can also include dancers, bagpipe players and men carrying flaming swords, all of which are fun and traditional for a Middle Eastern wedding. The music should be upbeat and a bit jubilant, so it’s ideal to choose Arabic songs that reflect this sentiment.
Another reason why zaffa is such an important part of a Middle Eastern wedding is that it’s usually the first time the bride and groom step out of their homes to meet their guests. They’re escorted by the zaffe celebration, and their family and friends cheer them on as they make their grand entry to their reception.
One of the most exciting parts of the zaffe is when the bride and groom enter their reception in a beautiful gown, often adorned with diamonds and pearls. They are then escorted to the dance floor where they can begin to dance with their friends and family. After the dance, they are escorted to the groom’s side and greeted by his family members who shower them with blessings and flower petals.
