Islam is the world’s second largest religion after Christianity. Islam is the leading faith in the Arab world, as well as in most of the Middle East. Muslim culture all over the world is known to have one of the best in inviting and welcoming guests. Marriages in Muslim community vary significantly according to the culture of the people involved.
Muslim marriages can be conducted in different ways, depending on the culture in which they are arranged. Muslim marriages are generally arranged by the parents, with the bride and groom themselves having the final say about who they will wed. Due to this fact the online matrimonial sites for Muslims play a vital role to help the parents to find best match for their son or daughter.
The following are some of the examples of the impact on the muslim marriage rituals due to the native cultural values. Muslim Marriages in India predominantly follows the Islamic conventions followed by the middle east. It is believed that this is because the tradition was predominantly passed on by the Moghul rulers who ruled India for long time. In China the wedding happens with a Kuomintang flag in the background. Marriages in Muslims in China resembles typical Chinese wedding, excluding the Chinese religious rituals. Marriages among Muslim communities in the Philippines include the Tausug tribe, a group of people in Jolo who practice matrimonial activities based on their own ethnic legislation and the laws of Islam. Their customary and legal matrimony is composed of negotiated arranged marriage, marriage through the game of abduction , and elopement.
Though in the recent years the registration of the marriage is the legal approval for marriage, in Islam the Islamic ceremony is considered the most important than the legal agreement through registry office. Islam allows a man to have more than one wife at the same time as for as he can support them without compromising other partner. Women are also allowed to marry a different partner after a divorce. It has to be noted that though divorce allowed it is the least that god likes.
The article hereafter will look into the generic Islamic wedding ceremonies. The 'Nikah' Urdu word for marriage is a grand event celebrated over a five day period replete with rituals and customs. A Muslim Nikah or wedding can happen at any time of the day and there is no such thing as 'auspicious time'. The wedding ceremony usually takes place either in the bride's or the groom's house. But nowadays for want of space, it is conducted in marriage halls.
In all the arranged marriages a financial deal(Mahar) needs to be agreed with the prospective wife before marriage. It is intended that this Mahar is specifically given to the bride to spend how ever she wishes. In most of the cases, the bride spends on the family welfare. It has to be noted that even if the bride spends all the Mahar on her own, the husband has the responsibility to look after the wife and the family.
Though the wedding is given a high ritual values, people from all religious denominations can be invited to the wedding as guests.
On the day of wedding the bride wears a sparkling colourful dress. This differs based on the native culture. In the western world bride prefer white dress. In any case the groom goes for a traditional simple dress. The Nikaah or wedding ceremony can be conducted at the home of the bride or the groom, or at any other convenient venue. A Maulvi (priest) in the presence of close family members and relatives conducts the ceremony. In orthodox Muslim communities, the men and women are seated separately. The 'Walis' (the father of the bride and of the bridegroom) play an important role in the ceremony. The Maulvi reads selected verses from the Quran and the Nikaah is complete after the Ijab-e-Qubul (proposal and acceptance). The boy's side proposes and the girl's side conveys her assent. The mutual consent of the bride and groom is of great importance for the marriage to be legal. The ceremony ends with a prayer (Duoa) for the bride and groom, their families, and the Muslim community at large.
Dinner is a lavish spread. Usually, the women and the men dine separately. After dinner, the newly-weds sit together for the first time. Their heads are covered by a dupatta while they read prayers under the direction of the maulvi. The Quran is placed between the couple and they are allowed to see each only through mirrors.
After the wedding ceremony, the bride is brought to the house of her new husband. In the house the bride will be welcomed by her mother-in-law who will be holding a copy of the Quran over the bride’s head.
A lavish wedding reception is arranged after the wedding is known as the Dawat-e-walima. It is a joyous occasion that brings together the two families, their relatives and other well-wishers.
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