All About Muslim Weddings
Image by Giselleai via Flickr
Islamic marriage rituals are traditionally simple, but today many Muslims choose to have festive ceremonies that last for many days. These ceremonies often include bright and colorful festivities. The main wedding ritual itself, however, is simple, brief, and to the point. Called “nikah” in Arabic, the traditional marriage ritual is completed after a few steps.
The wedding can take place almost anywhere, and the bride and groom are separated in two different rooms. Whether they are allowed to see each other or not depends on how conservative their families are. A man who is familiar with the laws of Islam acts as an officiant. He will go into each of the rooms separately, asking the bride and groom if each is entering the marriage of his and her own free will. A wali (representative of the bride), will give the officiant the answers on her behalf. The last step involves the couple signing the marriage license in front of witnesses. The officiant officially brings the two together and pronounces them husband and wife.
Keep in mind that the way nikah is performed varies among traditions. Muslim cultures sometimes take different texts into consideration. The Furu al-Kafi, for instance, requires both parties to consent just as long as they’re both adults. The bride and groom are both allowed to define their terms and conditions in order to perfect the contract. They are both allowed the liberty to make the contract to their liking.
Photo courtesy of Kawaikinoz
One very essential aspect of the contract is the Mahr. Mahr is considered to be a “marriage gift” with divine importance. It’s a special gift that the groom must present the bride as a way to show that he is committed to her. There is no set price for the mahr, but it’s recommended that the groom spend what is considered to be average in today’s social norm. He can give the bride the mahr immediately at the wedding, or at a later date. They will both agree on the time in which the mahr is presented.
Another important part of a Muslim wedding is the banquet. The groom will hold what is called a “walima”, which means “marriage banquet”. There are discrepancies on the timing of the marriage banquet among different Muslim cultures. Some believe that the walima should take place during nikah, while others believe it should take place shortly afterwards. In some cultures, the walima is held a day after the wedding ceremony.
photo credit: madaboutasia
Family members, friends, and neighbors are invited to the feast. The Prophet Mohammad wrote about the importance of inviting the poor and less fortunate to the walima banquet, therefore it’s very important that the wedding couple invite their poor relatives and associates along with the rich. Unfortunately, the poor are excluded from many Muslim weddings these days.
Just as it’s very important to invite everyone, it’s equally important for those who receive a walima invitation to show up. It’s believed that those who refuse an invitation to a marriage banquet are disobeying Allah. Muslims believe that weddings and marriages are very sacred. Walima is intended to be a symbol of the domestic peace that the bride and groom should strive for after they come together in marriage.
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