Muslim Wedding

Islam considers marriage a sacred bond. A Muslim wedding also known as Nikah allows a couple to stay together and beget children. With great pomp and show, a Muslim Wedding is generally a three day affair. A Muslim bride is generally adorned in grand clothes, fabulous jewelry, while the groom dresses up in traditional sherwani and salwar kurta. The groom’s face is covered with sehra or a veil made of flowers and he must arrive at the venue, riding on a horse or a car.

Settlement of Marriage
Islam advises to seek the permission of God before the announcement of the date of marriage. The religious head seeks the Almighty’s permission with his rosary. Once the consent of Allah is received, relatives of the groom, along with the groom’s mother visit the bride’s place to share the good news. This ritual is popularly known as the Imam Zamin. On this special occasion the groom’s mother ties a silver or golden coin tied in silken cloth on the bride’s arm. Soon after a date for the ring ceremony is also fixed. On the day of the ring ceremony, both the bride and the groom exchange rings between themselves and sweets are distributed among either parties.

Manjha
The Manjha ceremony in Muslim Wedding is similar to the Hindu Haldi Ceremony. A few days before the Nikah both the bride and the groom begin to apply turmeric paste on their body. The ritual is continued till the date of the marriage. Turmeric is applied on the body because of its antiseptic qualities. Besides, it also adds a natural glow to both the bride and the groom.

Nikah
On the day of the Nikah the bridegroom adorns himself with traditional clothes and arrives at the bride’s place with his relatives. He carries a boisterous procession behind him with band parties playing rhythmic numbers. On the arrival of the groom he is welcomed by the bride’s father and other male members of the family. The Nikah ceremony then begins followed by a prayer to the Allah. A maulvi or a mujtahid representing each party approaches the other asking for his and her consent for the Nikah. Both the bride and the groom must thrice kabool the proposal by showing acceptance to the marriage. With three witnesses around them, this ceremony is considered to be the most auspicious ceremony in the entire Nikah.

Until the Nikah is completed, the bride sits in a veiled chamber. Soon after, the groom gets to see her reflection on the mirror. While the groom beholds the face of his newlywed wife, he must keep the Holy Quran next to him. Before the groom leaves the bride’s house with the bride he must be shown the dowry which includes all the gifts and furniture that the bride has received as present. Thereafter he takes blessings from all the elder members of the brides’ family who in turn offer present him with cash. It is then time for the bride to leave her paternal house and head for the groom’s house.

Linus Orakles
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