Muslim Weddings
Muslim weddings are significantly different from other religious wedding ceremonies. Many of the customs and traditions are from the local country. Some of the common customs and traditions in Muslim Weddings include the favorite time of year for a wedding is Shawwal. The sacred months of Muharram and Ramadan are very bad times to hold a wedding. Most Muslim weddings occur on a Sunday. Many traditions include a henna ceremony.
Islamic marriages are not considered to be 'made in heaven.” The wedding is not a sacrament. Muslim marriages are social contracts which bring rights and obligations to the bride and groom. While marriages are often arranged by the parents, this is not required.
In an Iranian Muslim wedding, the ceremony and reception are held at the home of the bride’s parents. The ceremony commences as soon as the first guests arrive. The reception lasts from three to seven days. There is a very elaborate floor spread set up for Aghd. Food is set up facing east, towards the light. Both the food and decorations are selected for customs and traditions. Some examples are the cloth placed on the floor underneath the food is passed down from generation to generation. It is usually embroidered of cashmere or silk. A copy of the Koran is opened and placed on a prayer rug in the middle of the food. To bring the couple wealth, a bowl of coins is placed on the table to represent the sweetness of a new life together, there is a plate with several sweet pastries.
A Muslim wedding in India or Pakistan lasts for three days. The Mehndi typically takes place one day at the bride’s house and one day at the groom’s house. Henna is put on the hands of the bride and groom's hands. There are also traditional songs and dances. The actual Nikah (also called a Shadi), is the signing of official papers by the bride’s family in the presence of an Imam. The groom’s family hosts a feast to formally announce the marriages.
Muslim weddings in Egypt are similar. The night before the wedding, friends and relatives celebrate the Henna Night. The wedding day begins with the signing of the contract and after sunset, the wedding party starts and the bride and groom wears their best dresses, clothes and jewelry.
In Malaysia, on the wedding day the couple is treated like royalty. The Henna ceremony takes place the night before the wedding but only for the bride. Her palms and feet are decorated with henna. The signing of the wedding contract is led by a Kadhi, a religious official of the Syariat Court. The contract is consummated with a small sum of money.
In Great Britain, a Muslim wedding is a simple ceremony. The bride does not even have to attend the ceremony. She sends two witnesses to sign the agreement and the ceremony consists of reading from the Koran and exchanging of vows in front of witnesses for both families. It is not required to have a religious official at the ceremony.
Singapore has an unusual tradition. When the bride is ready, the Mak Andam (beautician) along with the bride's family kidnaps the groom and asks for an “entrance fee”. They only allow the groom to enter when they are content with the amount he offers. After the ceremony, friends and relatives sprinkle petals and rice on the couple seated on the throne. While there are many different traditions depending on the country and part of the world you live in, Muslim wedding tend to be large joyous affairs.
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