The Koran (the Holy Book of Islam) strongly urges Muslims to marry –
though the Muslim wedding ceremony itself is very simple. Muslim marriages are
often arranged between the parents and relatives of the bride and groom.
It is essentially a verbal contract between a man and a woman, who agree to
marry in the presence of two male witnesses.
The Muslim wedding ceremony is called Nikah, and the entire Muslim world follows
much the same religious ritual. However, local influences may cause some variations
to the social aspects of the festivities.
Although Muslims attach little religious significance to engagement ceremonies,
the marriage ceremony is usually conducted by a religious official called a Qazi.
Many Muslims prefer to marry in a mosque, though the ceremony can take place in
the home of the bride or groom, or any public place. In orthodox Muslim communities,
the bride and groom stay in separate rooms throughout the ceremony.
As with other Indian weddings, the groom may arrive at the wedding venue with his baraat (wedding procession). The Muslim ceremony itself begins with an Ijaab. This is a verbal proposal made by the groom to the bride, and takes place in the presence of two witnesses.
The bride responds to the Ijaab by saying ‘Qobul’ (‘I accept’)
three times. She must speak loudly enough to be heard by the witnesses,
who may be in another room. The Ijaab and Qobul are the most important elements
of a Muslim wedding.
As well as least two witnesses, there should also be a guardian for the bride.
This is usually one of her male relatives. A guardian ensures that the bride receives
a mahr (dowry – a gift from a husband to his wife) from the groom’s
family. A mahr usually consists of money or jewellery. The bride and groom both
sign the marriage contract which includes the mahr.
After the Ijaab and Qobul, the Qazi recites special prayers and verses from
the Koran, and asks God to bless the marriage. Once the marriage ceremony is over,
the groom’s family hosts a walima – ‘bride feast’.
According to Muslim belief, the Prophet Mohammed commanded the faithful to
hold these feasts in order to celebrate the newly wed couple’s happiness,
and to advertise the marriage to the whole community.
Glossary
baraat
bridegroom's wedding procession
Ijaab
a verbal proposal made during the Muslim wedding ceremony by the groom to the
bride
Koran
the Holy Book of Islam
mahr
a marriage gift to the bride from the groom’s family, often consisting of
money or jewellery
Nikah
Muslim wedding ceremony
Qazi
Muslim religious official who carries out the wedding ceremony
Qobul
an Arabic word meaning ‘I accept’ said three times by a Muslim bride
on
acceptance
of marriage
walima
a ‘bride feast’ hosted by the groom’s family
