Whether you're planning your own wedding or attending an Islamic marriage ceremony, there are numerous customs you might be interested in partaking in. These can range from applying Henna tattoos to engaging in Mehar or celebrating at a Walimah.
Mehar
During a Muslim wedding, the maher, or "gift" to the bride-to-be, is an important part of the ceremony. This ceremonial gift is a token of gratitude for the groom's family and a sign of respect for the bride.
Before a Muslim wedding, the bride and groom must decide on the amount of mehar. They must also discuss living arrangements. In Islam, remarriage is allowed, so a three-month waiting period is required.
The nikah is a ceremony that formally makes the couple legally married under religious law. The ceremony is performed by a maulvi, or "imam," who reads a brief prayer from the holy Quran. The couple then recite the same prayer as the imam.
Another important ritual is tolbe, or "the request." In this ritual, the groom asks permission from his bride's family to marry.
The maulvi asks the bride and groom the ole' wedding question: "Do you accept?" The couple replies with a resounding "Yes!" In this part of the ceremony, the couple may also share a small piece of fruit.
The best part of the wedding ceremony is the baraat, or "procession," which announces the wedding. The bride and groom are escorted by their families. This part of the ceremony also includes a multi-tiered wedding cake, which is cut with a sword.
Other parts of the ceremony include the rukhsati, or the "first sight" of the bride and groom. This is an important event as it marks the end of the bride's parents and the beginning of her new life as a wife.
Heena
Traditionally, henna is used in Muslim weddings to decorate the hands of the bride and groom. It is also used to dye hair. In addition, it is also used to color fingers and toes. The henna is applied in intricate designs, which vary depending on the occasion.
The first and the most important part of a Muslim wedding is the Nikkah ceremony. It is the tradition to cover the bride's face with a scarf during the ceremony. During this ceremony, the groom's family and friends give money to bless the couple's marriage.
During the ceremony, the bride and groom's family members perform a ritual called 'Aarsi Mushaf'. The couple will see each other in a mirror after the marriage. They will then be given a special gift, such as a glass of milk or jewelry.
Aarsi Mushaf is a fun tradition that celebrates the bride and groom's upcoming wedding. This tradition was traditionally performed at a wedding when brides and grooms would see each other for the first time after marriage. This custom is a way to begin a new and more harmonious relationship between the two families.
Another tradition that occurs during a Muslim wedding is the Rukhsati. This ceremony is usually performed after the meal is served. This ceremony occurs after the Nikkah and is usually a fun and exciting way to bring the couple together.
Another fun and important part of a Muslim wedding is the joota chupaayi. This tradition is a fun way to celebrate the upcoming wedding and begin a new relationship between the bride and groom.
Henna night
Normally held a day or two before the wedding, a Henna Night is a traditional pre-wedding ceremony in the Islamic world. This cultural event involves the bride's family, friends and neighbors.
A henna night can take place at the bride's house or the groom's house. The bride's family usually hosts the event. Henna Night can be a fun and memorable day for the bride.
During the event, the bride is escorted into the middle of a circle where she is covered in a ceremonial embroidered cloth. After the henna has been applied, the bride and her family sing and dance. The music is a combination of sad and happy songs. The bride cries when sad songs are played. She tears dry when the music becomes more cheerful.
The groom's family then applies henna to the bride's hands and feet. In some areas, the henna is applied to the guests first.
Aside from the bride's family, the groom's friends and relatives usually attend the event. The bride is usually dressed in an evening gown and yellow or green "shalwar kameez".
The women in the groom's family perform a mock struggle with the bride. They try to pry her fingers open.
The groom's family usually purchases the henna. A golden coin is used for this purpose. The coin symbolizes the bride's acceptance of the groom's marriage proposal and her acceptance of the role she will play as a wife.
Henna tattoos
Traditionally, henna is only applied to the hands and feet of women, but in recent years, men are getting henna tattoos as well. Henna is a natural, temporary tattoo that is used for beauty, luck, and fertility. Depending on the design, it can be applied almost anywhere on the body.
When henna is applied to the hands or feet, it is said to bring luck to the person, and it also cools the nerves. It is also said to provide relief from stress and fever.
During the traditional Muslim wedding, the mehndi ceremony is the final pre-wedding ritual. Henna is applied to the bride's hands and feet before the wedding ceremony. The darker the color of the mehndi, the more love and luck the groom will receive from his in-laws.
Henna on the hands and feet is usually drawn in intricate patterns, which symbolize joy, love, and luck. The groom's initials are usually hidden within the henna design.
The dark color of henna tattoos is the most vibrant immediately after the application. It will gradually fade over time, but the dark stain is said to represent luck, love, and fertility.
Henna is also applied to the hands of men, but usually in less elaborate designs. Men's parties are less formal, and they often include a meal, reciting the Quran, and a celebration of a future nuptial.
A bridal henna party is more intimate than the wedding ceremony. It can be held at a couple's home or a venue. In addition to the application of henna tattoos, the bride and groom can dance and celebrate.
Walimah
Having a Walimah on a Muslim wedding is an opportunity to celebrate the union of a bride and groom. This ceremony is held in the presence of loved ones and friends. It is also a chance for the couple to make promises to each other.
Traditionally, a Muslim wedding begins with a mehndi. This is a temporary tattoo that lasts for a month. It is believed to be lucky to have a dark mehndi.
During the nikah, a prayer is offered to the holy Quran. This is followed by a short sermon that includes verses from the Koran. The Imam asks the guests to pray for the couple.
After the Nikah, the couple can lay eyes on each other for the first time. They will also be presented with gifts. Some gifts may include the bride's engagement ring.
Before the ceremony, a meeting is set between the families of the future groom and bride. These meetings are held to discuss living arrangements, prenuptial agreements and other aspects of the marriage. The religious heads of the community are also informed about the marriage discussions.
After the ceremony, a meal is prepared. The meal may be a large-scale celebration or a more intimate gathering. This meal is often served with local fare, such as goat or sheep. In some regions, guests may be served traditional symbols of fertility, such as flowers and rice.
During the meal, the bride and groom are presented with gifts and showered with blessings. Walimah is a grand celebration, and guests are introduced to the bride and groom's extended family.
Indian-Muslim wedding rituals
Usually a three-day celebration, Indian-Muslim wedding rituals include several ceremonies before and after the wedding. They are similar to weddings in the Middle East, Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, they also have their own special traditions.
Before the wedding, the bride and groom will have a mangni ceremony. This is a pre-wedding ritual where turmeric and rosewater paste are applied on the bride's face and hands. The bride is then dressed in yellow.
The bride stays at her home until the wedding day. On the fourth day of the wedding, she leaves her home and goes to the groom's house. She is welcomed by her family with love and affection. A special prayer is performed to seek blessings from Allah for the marriage.
The groom's family sends her clothing, jewelry and gifts. This is an arranged marriage, which is generally sought within the same religious sect.
After the wedding, the bride's family may hold a bachelorette party for her. Her in-laws also give her a blessing and a wish for a happy married life. These are all important ceremonies in Muslim matchmaking.
The bride's father then gives his daughter to the groom. Both the families meet for the ceremony, which is called the Sala-al-Istikhara. The presiding maulvi then invokes the Ijab-e-Qubool ritual. This ritual is the official announcement of the bride and groom's marriage.
The Imam then conducts a special prayer for the bride and groom and the families. The couple then signs a Nikah-Nama, a marriage contract.
