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Muslim Wedding Ceremony
The Wedding Ceremony
Welcoming the Baraat
The groom arrives at the wedding venue with a
wedding procession or baraat consisting of relatives and friends
accompanying a band of musicians to announce their arrival. A lot of
playful games are played and a welcome drink is served to the groom's
family.
The wedding night
It is highly recommended that the wedding should take place at night.
When the bride enters the room, the groom is recommended to take off her
shoes and wash her feet and then sprinkle the water around the room.
Then he should pray Then he should ask the bride to pray. When they are
ready to go to bed, the groom should put his hand on the bride's
forehead and pray As far as the Shariah is concerned, it is neither
obligatory nor forbidden to have sex on the first night. It is a private
decision between the newly wed couple; it has nothing to do with others.
Nikaah
It is on day four the actual Muslim Nikaah or wedding ceremony
takes place. Nikah can be conducted at the home of the bride or the
groom, or at any other convenient venue. The nikaah ceremony is presided
over by the qazi or law officer. The qazi appoints two men as witnesses
(Gawah) on the groom`s behalf, to receive orders for the nikah from the
bride`s family. In addition to the presence of two witnesses, the
presence of the two `Walis` (the bride's and the bridegroom's father) is
also necessary. The bride's father is required to care for and protect
her rights and the groom's father to endorse his rights.
On the day of the Nikaah the elder members of the two families decide
the amount of Mehar (nuptial gift). Refreshingly, unlike dowry custom in
India, in Muslim Nikah, Mehar is a compulsory amount of money given by
the groom's family to the bride. The Qazi personally asks the bride if
she has agreed to marry the groom and whether she accepts the quantum of
mehar. Once the bride gives her consent the Qazi reads the marriage
contract to the groom. After the groom gives his consent, the
Nikaah-Nama or marriage contract must be signed by the bride, the
bridegroom, their Walis, the witnesses and the Qazi. The Nikaah-Nama
also contains certain terms and conditions, which are in accordance with
the religion and agreeable to both parties. A noteworthy condition is
that in case of a disagreement between the two partners, the girl has a
right to divorce her husband.
After the Nikaah-Nama is signed, the Qazi delivers a sermon called
Khutba, consisting of verses from the Quran which were recited by the
prophet and which lay particular emphasis on obligations toward women.
The Qazi explains the meaning of these verses to the audience with an
explanation of the mutual rights and duties of the spouses.
The Nikah Ceremony: According to Shariah, the wife-to-be says, "I have
given away myself in Nikah to you, on the agreed Mahr."
Immediately, the bridegroom says, "I have accepted the Nikah."
With these pronouncements, they become husband and wife.
Time of Marriage Ceremony
Though basically marriage is allowed at all
times, there are some days on which marriage is not recommended; some of
these are based on ahadith and some on cultural, historical reasons.
Permission of the Bride-to-be/Father
The girl's consent is necessary
and has to be taken by her representative, directly.
In case of a virgin/spinster the father's or the grandfather's
permission is also necessary. However if the permission is unreasonably
withheld under some conditions or the girl has no father/paternal
grandfather it is not necessary. However, a woman who is not a virgin,
does not require any permission in case of remarriage.
Valima (Dinner)
Valima is highly recommended on the groom. The
relatives, neighbors and friends must be invited for Valima. However,
lavish spending is not advisable especially when the same money can be
used effectively by the couple.
Blessing the Groom
After the wedding ceremonies are over the groom
receives blessings from the older women and offers them his salaam. The
guests pray for the marital bliss of the newly wed couple.
Dinner, Prayers and Aarsimashaf
As Muslim community is known for their
`mehmaan nawazee` and also for their food, dinner is obviously a very
grand occasion in their weddings. Usually, the women and the men dine
separately. After dinner, the newly-weds sits together for the first
time. Their heads are covered by a dupatta while they read prayers under
the direction of the maulvi (priest). The Quran is placed between the
couple and they are allowed to see each only through mirrors.
Post Wedding Ceremony
Post-Wedding rituals followed in Muslim Nikah are similar to other
Indian weddings. However, the customs are followed under different names
and some cultural variations can be observed.
Ruksat
The bride's family bids her a farewell before she departs for
her husband's house. The bride's father gives her hand to her husband
and tells him to take protect and take good care of her.
Welcoming the Bride
At the groom's house, the groom's mother holds the
Islamic Holy book Quran above the head of her newly wed daughter-in-law
as she enters her new home for the first time.
Chauthi
The Chauthi is the fourth day after the wedding. It is
customary for the bride to visit the home of her parents on this day.
Valimah
The Valimah is the lavish reception that the groom's family
hosts after the Nikaah. It is a joyous occasion that brings together the
two families, their relatives and friends.
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