Wedding in Muslim Matrimony

Rituals in Muslim matrimony vary by country. Muslim matrimony is usually held for several days. However, the traditional marriage rite, called nikah in Arabic, is quite short. The wedding can take place in the house of either party, but people prefer to perform the wedding in a mosque in front of the imam or religious leader, who enacts the laws specified in the Koran, the holy book. The purpose of the ceremony is the official declaration that the couple is married now. A valid marriage requires the consent of both bride and groom, the presence of the bride’s father, two witnesses, the dowry proposed by the husband and the signed contract of the marriage linked to the name of God.

The imam reads the first chapter of the Koran and declares the couple as husband and wife in Muslim Matrimony. Islam allows men to marry Christian or Jewish women because they represent people who have a holy book and their lifestyles go with religious ideology. However, women should not marry someone who is not Muslim, unless he converts to Islam, it is the men who must maintain the traditions. Polygamy is allowed by the Koran, but in some Muslim countries like Tunisia and Turkey, a man cannot marry more than one woman.

Legend: Hours before conducting the wedding, the bride receives a ceremonial bath behind a curtain, which represents the transition between her maiden life and the married life. Depending on the region, Muslim brides wear traditional wedding dresses like the caftan or salwar kameez. The hands and feet of the bride are decorated with henna and they often carry large gold jewelry and beads.

How to Dress? Although not all Muslims are conservative, Islam emphasizes modesty in dress. The women attending Muslim matrimony should avoid showing their arms, shoulders, legs and abdomen. It is not appropriate to go in tight clothing and sometimes even necessary to wear a veil covering the hair and face.

Author: Rashmi Karan

The Signing Of Nikahnama in Muslim Matrimony

Colourful decoration, sumptuous food and vibrant atmosphere characterize any Muslim Matrimony. I was attending the ‘Nikah’ ceremony for my dear friend. He is a Sunni Muslim from the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Though the wedding celebrations for the Muslims in India start usually three days before the actual wedding day, I only attended on the day of marriage. The welcoming of guests with sprinkling of ‘ittar’ on the male members is a practice I enjoyed. Moreover, the flower decoration in the wedding venue was making the atmosphere fragrant.

The bride was seated inside a room and her head was covered with a veil. She was wearing a traditional lehenga in green with delicate zardozi work all over. Even her veil had delicate work with golden threads. Only the female invitees can go inside the room where the bride was seated. The gold jewelry that she wore with her bridal attire made her look like a princess.

My friend, the groom was wearing a beige sherwani with golden work. He also covered his head with a traditional Muslim thread cap. He was attending the guests who were invited at the Muslim matrimony. There is no wedding auspicious time as it happens in a Muslim Matrimony. On the arrival of the Qazi or the priest, the wedding started.

Nikahnama

Though there are many rituals in a Muslim matrimony, the main ritual is the Nikah ceremony. The Maulvi or the Qazi presides over the entire Nikah ceremony. The bride arrives in the room where the groom is seated. They sit face to face with a curtain dividing the male group from the female group at the wedding. Both the groom and the bride sign the Nikahnama, which is the contract of marriage. The father of the bride and the groom also sign the contract as witnesses to the wedding. In presence of family members and guests, the Qazi recites some holy lines from the Quran.

What I really liked in the Muslim Matrimony is the consent of the Muslim Brides. In Muslims, the groom gives the dowry or ‘mehr’ to the bride. I also enjoyed the traditional food after completion of the Nikah ceremony.

Author: Shipra Sinha

Wedding Customs in Muslim Matrimony

Marriage is considered a sacred union in Muslim community and contrary to popular belief; monogamy is a common practice in the Muslim matrimony. Women have primary rights over his husband’s home and his children. The husbands are obligated to protect and provide financial and emotional to their wives. For this reason, the ceremony itself is a contract, which is conducted in an office. The best part is that the groom and his family discuss the contract with the bride’s family in advance and after complete agreement, the marriage is considered fixed.

The wedding ceremony in Muslim Matrimony starts when the couple goes to the Imam and expresses their intention to marry. The festivities and celebrations in the honor of the couple last several days, with great jubilation and joy.

The rituals in the Muslim matrimony vary country wise, but usually all have the same customs:

Henna Ceremony:

This ritual usually takes place the night before the big day, when the women apply on hands and feet of bride, symbolizing fertility and marital bliss, and avoid the evil eye. This tradition is accompanied with singing and dancing and can be done in the future husband.

Wedding Day:

The ceremony takes place at the home of the parents of the bride, in a community center or a mosque. During the wedding ceremony, a judge, two witnesses and guests gather. Then, both bride and groom are asked for their consent, and after the approval from both sides, a contract is signed that glorifies the name of God according to the rites of Islam. The first chapter of the Qur'an is read and an amount is collected from the groom, which is also known as Mehr, which is then used as insurance for the bride’s future.

Author: Rashmi Karan