The rituals of Muslim weddings are quite interesting. They exude togetherness with love and happiness. This article gives you all the needed information in bringing together two individuals bound by mutual trust and understanding.

Rituals In Muslim Weddings

Known as Nikah in Urdu is Muslim weddings. Differing from region-to-region are the ceremonies and rituals related to a Muslim wedding. In most of the regions, however, the main wedding rituals are more-or-less the same. Celebrating the sacred union of two people every wedding has one significant purpose to it. Before marriage and post marriage, the Muslim bride and groom perform various wedding rituals. Here we take a close look at them. 

Ishtikhara ritual: 

In the Muslim wedding/Nikah, this is one of the most important rituals. To pray to Allah and seek his consent and blessing to commence the other rituals and ceremonies of the wedding, the religious heads of the Muslim community come together. Here it is that the mother of the groom then visits the bride’s house to tie a silver/gold coin on the upper hand of the bride coming after getting the consent. Known as Imam-zamin ceremony is this.

Mangani rituals: 

During which the boy and the girl exchange rings, this is popularly known as an engagement ceremony. Both the families exchange gifts, fruits, dry fruits, and sweets during this ceremony. Where the family members of both families are present, this ceremony is conducted in the house of the Muslim bride.

Manjha ceremony: 

The would-be-bride wears yellow clothes in this special ceremony. On her face and body, the ladies of the family and other female relatives apply the paste made out of Haldi. Until her wedding day, after this important ritual, the would-be bride is not supposed to leave her house.

Mehendi ritual: 

As all females of the families participate in this pre-wedding ritual, the Manjha and Mehendi ceremony are more or less similar. The mehndi artist applies the henna designs on the bride’s hands and feet in this mehndi ceremony. On their hands as ritual, all females of the family apply the henna.

Sanchaq ritual: 

For the bride, the groom’s family sends clothes and ornaments. During the Nikah/wedding, the would-be-bride is supposed to wear this wedding dress and jewellery. 

Reception of the Baraat: 

The bride’s family welcomes the baraat in this ritual of the Muslim wedding. In the procession of the baraat, the male members of the bride’s family welcome the groom, his family, all relatives, and friends.  As rituals of welcoming them, they offer them drinks and gifts. The groom shares a glass of sherbet with the brother of the bride as a Muslim wedding ritual.

Nikah ceremony:

In the presence of the Maulvi and close family members from both sides, the actual wedding ceremony of the Nikah is conducted. The men and women sit separately according to the tradition. From the groom’s family as ritual, the bride is given a Mehr, a kind of pre-decided amount of cash. Over the amount of mehr agreed upon, the Maulvi asks the bride if she is willing to marry the groom. Repeated three times is the same question and if she agrees the same question is asked to the groom also. Where the Muslim groom and bride accept the marriage willingly, this ceremony is popularly known as Ijab-e-Qubul.

Mehr ceremony: 

The elder members of the two families decide the amount of Mehr on the day of the Nikaah. In which a pre-fixed amount is given by the groom’s family to the bride as a wedding ritual this is a mandatory ritual. 

Nikaahnama: 

In which the marriage contract is registered, the Nikaahnama is a document. Also giving the bride the right to divorce her husband, contains a set of terms and conditions that must be therefore respected by both parties. It must be signed by the Muslim bride and groom, Walis, and the Maulvi for the contract to be legal.

The Magic Of Love And Happiness

Very sacred and colourful are Muslim weddings. You will realise that their wedding rituals are very simple yet elegant if you got any chance to attend any Muslim wedding. Called Nikaah this is an Urdu word for their wedding. From region-to-region, the wedding rituals of Muslim matrimony may differ. Shared above are some of the sacred rituals of Muslim wedding/Nikah to know it more closely. 

Muslim matrimony is a culmination of joy, happiness, and trust. With the bride and groom entering an alliance of mutual trust and belief, they share the sweetness of love and happiness. Beginning a new episode of their life by sharing all the love and joy for each other, also brings the two families together in a mutual contract to be joined forever and never leave each other whatever may the reason be.