The Islamic traditions begin with a pre-wedding ritual, where the Imam (Muslim Priest) performs a prayer to seek Allah’s blessings for the marriage. This is an official announcement of the wedding.
After this the Salatul Ishtikara takes place. This involves a visit from the groom’s Mother to the bride’s home. She brings gifts and sweets along with a gold coin. The currency is wrapped in a soft fibre scarf and tied around the wrist of the bride as a mark of acceptance into her new family.
The next ritual which takes place is called mangni. Close friends and relatives come along to witness the ring exchanging ceremony, and both families present each other with gifts. This is also the public declaration of the engagement of the bride and groom.
Mehndi is an essential function in any South Asian Wedding and a Muslim marriage is an exception. The women from the bride’s family and her friends come together in a lively ceremony. A professional mehndi artist draws beautiful henna designs on the bride’s hands and feet. The groom’s initials are also hidden in the design, and he has to find them on the wedding night.
The bharat is another exciting event that takes place. The groom uses a decorated car to reach the wedding venue. He is accompanied by his relatives and friends in a joyous fleet of song and dance. A family member of the bride goes to accompany him. It is a loud procession, declaring that the wedding is going to happen in a few hours.
The bride’s family brings the groom into the wedding venue. He is served a cold drink and he is left in the company of the bride’s brother or closest brotherly figure. They spray Islamic perfume or rosewater on the groom, and around him to create a beautiful path for him to enter.
Nikah is the main wedding ritual performed by a Maulvi (Muslim Doctor of the law). The men sit around the groom, and the women sit around the bride. The groom’s family offer their Meher, which is a mandatory payment for the bride to become her husband’s property after the marriage. The Maulvi recites prayers from the Quran (Islamic Holy Book). Both the bride and groom are kept separate from each other, and the Maulvi asks both of them for their approval, and they have to say “Qubool Hai” (I accept) thrice to give their permission.
As per the Quran, after the official marriage, a Khutba is recited, followed by the union vows in the Quran. In the end, the elders give blessings upon the new bride and groom. At the time of rukhsat, the bride waves goodbye to her family and It is an emotional moment, but when the bride arrives at her new home, she is received with a warm welcome by the groom’s mother.
Walimah is the public declaration that the marriage is done. This is the official reception. The bride and groom are treated royally. The bride is introduced to the members of the groom’s extended family, relatives, and friends. There are gifts, a lavish buffet and much joy among the wedding party.
