Muslim weddings are simple, alluring, and elegant. Both Muslim men and women from around the world follow specific laws and practices laid down in Quran. Muslim wedding rituals extends up to three days. The colorful themes are being followed in different part of the world depending upon local traditions. Besides bride and groom, the relatives, family members, friends enjoy the whole treat with different rituals.
The Muslim Wedding Rituals mainly include:
Pre-wedding rituals
- Istikhara and Imam Zamin: This the first phase of Muslim wedding ceremonies, where the head of the family takes the approval from almighty to execute the wedding. After the consent, grooms mother visits the bride’s house and ties a silver or gold coin on the upper hand of the bride which is known as Imam-zamin ceremony.
- Mangni: The Muslim wedding rituals starts with ring exchange ceremony, also known as Mangni. After both bride and groom exchange their rings, they are committed to each other to become a life partner.
- Manjha and Mehendi: The Mehendi ceremony is organized at bride’s place few days before wedding. The relatives of the bride apply turmeric paste on her to bring out the glowing complexion. Mehendi is applied on her hands and legs. Traditional ritual songs are sung and the Bride is not allowed to step out of her home until marriage after this wedding ritual.
Wedding Rituals
1. Nikkah: The Nikkah is the Muslim wedding ceremony started in the presence of a maulvi and family members. Father of the bride (Walis) plays an important role in the ceremony. The Maulvi reads some verses from Quran and the Nikkah is approved after the Ijab-e-Qubul, which means the proposal is accepted.
2. The Nikhanama & Mehr : Nikahnama is signed by the bride and groom along with Walis and Maulvi to make the wedding legalized and registered. Mehr is the amount promised to be paid by the groom to the bride at the time of their wedding , which legally becomes her future property.
3. Dinners, Prayers and Aarsimashaf take place on the wedding day itself. In this women and men dine separately but the newly wedded bride and groom sits together for the first time. The holy book Quran is placed between the couple and they are allowed to see each other through mirrors.
Post Wedding Rituals
1. Rukshat is the custom where bride’s family bids a tearful farewell to their daughter before she leaves her house for her husband’s house. In this the bride’s father gives her daughter in the hands of her husband for her future well-being.
2. Welcoming The Bride: In this ritual, the groom’s mother places the holy book of Quran over the bride’s head, and then the bride enters the house with it.
3. Walimah: Valimah, is the grand reception given by groom’s familyto celebrate the wedding. However, what’s special about Valimah is that after Recepetion Party, bride again goes back to her parents house, only to be escorted by her husband the next day !
4. Chauthi : The chauthi ceremony is celebrated on the fourth day after the wedding( the day next to Valima) , where the groom comes and escorts his newly wedded bride from her parents home, back to their new beautiful home together… !
Like weddings around the world, Muslim Weddings too are beautiful with their unique sets of customs and traditions.
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