6 Interesting Facets of a Traditional Muslim wedding

 Muslim wedding is a manifestation of Islamic tradition that involves mingling of single Muslim and single Muslima in bond of nikaah. A typical Muslim marriage is an elaborate affair involving a big social gathering and lots of celebrations. The main event of Muslim wedding is preceded by pre-marriage events and followed by post-marriage festivities.

To look into other facets of a Muslim wedding, you need to read on:

1.     Nikaah

Nikaah is the essence of a Muslim wedding. It is a legal contract between single Muslim and single Muslima who show their consent to live as husband and wife while fulfilling each other rights. A Nikaah is performed in presence of a Qazi who reads Quranic verses before and after completion of the Nikaah.

2.     Rukhsati

Rukhsati means “departure” in English. As its name suggests, this event follows departure of the bride from her ancestral home and beginning of her marital life with her in-laws. After Rukhsati, the bride is entitled to is legally and religiously entitled to live with her husband.

3.     Valima

After Rukhsati, the groom and his family formally invite his family and friends over a lunch or dinner as a way to announce his marriage. Traditionally, the valima event is celebrated at a banquet where the guests are gathered together and served with delicious foods and beverages.

4.     Attire

Traditionally, Muslim groom prefers to wear a “Sherwani suit” in marriage, while the bride puts on a wedding “Sharara”. In western countries, however, the groom wears a three-piece-suit, while a bride wears a gown. The guests are expected to wear the dress as per the “dress code” of the event. As a general rule, it is appropriate to wear a sherwani if you are a man and shalwar kameez if you are a woman.

5.     Festivities

Once the couple becomes husband and wife, their immediate family, extended family and close friends invite them over an elaborate lunch or dinner as a way to honor the newly-wed couple. A typical festivity of a Muslim involves delicious foods, sweets and beverages.

6.     Gifts

It is customary for guests to present gifts to the newly-wed. You can give any gift to the couple as long as it is in accordance with Islamic tradition. If you are one of the friends of the couple, it is better to ask the couple before picking a gift.

Mentioned above are some of the common traditions of a Muslim wedding. Except for the religious obligations, the customaries could change according to the country and community of the couple.