A Muslim marriage ceremony is a spiritual event that involves several rituals. This piece provides an introduction to the fundamental aspects of the ceremony, including the Fatiha, Ijab-e-Qubool, Nikkah, and Rukhsat.
Fatiha
The ceremony of Fatiha at a Muslim wedding is an important part of the celebration. It involves reading the first surah of the Quran to the couple, and is considered a sacred ritual. The ceremony is conducted in the presence of the bride and groom, their families, and the officiant. The ceremony is meant to give both the bride and groom blessings, and allows them to spend time together before the wedding.
In a Muslim wedding, Fatiha takes place before the marriage contract is signed, which is also known as the walimah. In addition, a sheikh or imam will give a speech about respecting women and honoring men. The eldest male from the bride's family is then asked to accept the marriage proposal, and two witnesses sign the contract.
Ijab-e-Qubool
The Ijab-e-Qubool is the Islamic equivalent of a Western wedding. The ceremony marks the union of a woman and a man. It is celebrated by extending Rukhsat (welcome) to the couple from their mother-in-law. The ceremony is full of religious significance and is a traditional way to celebrate marriage.
This ceremony begins with the traditional Muslim rite of 'Nikah', or "marriage vows." The bride and groom are separated during the process, and the bride's father serves as the groom's Wali. A presiding maulvi recites prayers from the holy Quran and asks the bride if she is willing to be married. Once she says yes, the ceremony continues with the exchange of a dowry called Mehr.
Ijab-e-Qubool is a contractual marriage. In a Muslim wedding, both the bride and groom have to agree to marry. After the bride accepts, she gives the groom her dower, which is considered a form of payment for her services and support. This ceremony requires witnesses. The Shia law does not require any witnesses, but the Sunni law requires both the bride and groom to have two males and two females as witnesses.
NikKah
NikKah, Muslim wedding explained: A Muslim wedding ceremony begins with the marriage of the bride and groom. The bride and groom sit around the bride's father, known as the Wali. The groom's family offers the bride a gift known as a Mehr. The Maulvi then recites a prayer from the Quran to the couple.
For a successful Nikah, both the bride and the groom must give their consent. The offer and acceptance must be verbal, so both parties must hear them. The marriage is valid only if both parties agree to it, which means that both the bride and the groom can ask questions and seek guidance.
The Muslim wedding, or NikKah, is a religious ceremony where the man and woman declare their vows or make an oral commitment. It is a legal contract and considered to be an act of worship.
Rukhsat
Rukhsat is a ritual that takes place during a Muslim wedding. It begins with the bride leaving her family home to visit her in-laws. The bride's mother will hold a Quran over her head while she is away from her family, symbolizing the divine blessings of marriage and the duties of a faithful wife.
The groom's family usually organizes this ceremony, which is performed by the bride's mother. She will visit the bride's family home and bring her gifts. She will also tie a coin to her future daughter-in-law's wrist. This will signify the official acceptance of the bride into the groom's family.
The ceremony also features dancing, food, and sweet drinks. Although alcohol consumption is forbidden in Islamic culture, it is acceptable for the bride and groom to celebrate in moderation. This will allow the newlyweds to unwind and relax. The wedding will also introduce the bride and groom to their friends and extended family. After the Rukhsat ceremony, the couple will celebrate the marriage with their friends and family.
Magni
A Muslim wedding ceremony is often conducted in a large banquet hall, with friends of the couple invited to attend. The ceremony usually includes a dinner and lunch. Traditionally, only the men of the bride's family were allowed to enter the house of the groom prior to the wedding. This was considered inauspicious.
Traditionally, the bride does not work in her marital home until after the mendi ceremony. She wears yellow clothes, and female family members apply turmeric paste to her body. The color is said to bring luck and love to her new husband's family. The Mehndi ceremony is the last pre-wedding ritual before the actual wedding. At the end of the ceremony, the groom and his family leave to prepare for their wedding.
The ceremony is performed by two religious heads. The first is the Maulavi, who asks the bride three times if she accepts the groom as her husband.
Walima
A walima is a wedding ceremony that is traditionally held after the Nikah ceremony. It is organized by the groom's family and is a celebration of two people coming together as one. The bride typically wears a gorgeous, sparkling dress adorned with gold jewellery that the groom will provide for her. There will be a huge party following the ceremony.
The groom is responsible for planning the walima and will invite family members and friends. He should also invite pious members of his community. It is considered sinful to refuse the invitation. It is important to invite everyone to the walima as it unites families and marks the union of the bride and groom. The number of people invited will depend on the financial situation of the groom's family and how generous they are.
The invitation to the walima is an obligation for Muslims. Those who fast are also required to attend. According to Sunnah al-Mu'akkada, refusing an invitation to a walima is sinful.
Tolbe
A traditional Muslim wedding ceremony includes a tolbe, a pre-wedding ceremony, during which the bridegroom asks her parents' permission to marry their daughter. The couple then recite a prayer from the Holy Quran and then partake in refreshments. The ceremony ends with the sheikh laying out the terms of marriage and signing a contract. The bride and groom then share their wedding day with family members, friends, and other close individuals.
The wedding ceremony is followed by a reception in the bride and groom's families' homes. The bride and groom sit on a dais, or "kosha" for short, which consists of two comfortable seats in front of the guest tables. The groom and bride's families then read the first verse of the Quran, after which the sharbat, or drink, is passed from family to family.
Mangni
A Muslim wedding is a ritual in which two people exchange wedding rings. The rings symbolize a lifetime commitment to one another. The marriage ceremony also represents the circle of life and a union of two souls. The bride and groom wash one another's feet, and their families exchange gifts. The groom and bride also sign a contract, known as Nikahnama, outlining their duties and rites as husband and wife.
Both the bride and groom wear elaborate clothes for the occasion. The bride wears a colorful lehenga or sari. Some brides choose neon colors for this occasion, and neon lehengas are especially popular for their intricate motif. Delicate jewelry adorns the entire look. The bride and groom can opt for an elegant or simple look, depending on their personal tastes. The groom wears an expensive suit.
The Mangni ceremony is the first step toward the wedding. It is the pre-wedding ceremony in which the bride and groom exchange rings and family members shower the couple with gifts. The groom is not required to wear a gold ring, while the bride is free to wear any type of ring she prefers. During this ceremony, the couple also announces the wedding date.
