Although Islamic marriage customs and relations vary depending on the country of origin and government regulations, both Muslim men and women from around the world are guided by Islamic laws and practices specified in the Quran
Although there are common threads that run through Muslim wedding traditions, marriage traditions do differ depending on cultures and the observance of gender separation.
As there is no official clergy within Islam, any Muslim that understands Islamic traditions can officiate a wedding.
Most Muslim marriages don’t take place in mosques and men and women are generally separate during the ceremony and the reception. Sometimes weddings do take place in mosques and many do have marriage officers who oversee the marriage ceremony. These marriage officers are referred to as Gazi or Madhum.
A note to guests, if you do attend a Muslim wedding in a mosque, you will be required to take off your shoes to enter.
The main requirement of a Muslim marriage is the signing of the marriage contract. The marriage contract includes a Meher, which is a formal statement that specifies the amount of money that the groom will give to the bride. There are two separate sections in the Meher and each section portrays two different financial contributions. The first monetary offering is prompt and it is due before the marriage is consummated. The second amount is a deferred amount that is given to the bride throughout her life.
Today, many couples use the wedding ring as the first offering, as the groom presents it to the bride during the wedding ceremony. The second, deferred amount, can be a small sum as a formality or an actual substantial financial gift of money, jewellery or any other goods of a high value
The gift belongs to the bride to use as she wishes, that is unless the marriage falls apart before consummation. Therefore, the Meher is seen as the bride’s security and a guarantee of her freedom during the marriage.
The marriage contract is then signed in a Nikah ceremony, which is where the groom or the representative of the groom proposes to the bride in front of at least two witnesses, stating the details of the Meher. The bride and the groom then demonstrate their free will by repeating the word, “Qabool” three times. Qabool translates as ‘I accept’ in Arabic. The couple and the two male witnesses then sign the contract, making the marriage legal according to religious and civil law. If the bride and groom are separated during the ceremony, then a male representative, called a Wali, acts on behalf of the bride during the Nikah.
During the ceremony, according to traditions, the bride and the groom may share a sweet fruit like a date.
Generally, most Muslim couples don’t recite their vows. Instead, they listen as the officiant speaks about the meaning of their marriage and their responsibilities to themselves, each other and Allah. At times, some Muslim brides and grooms do say something, such as this common recitation:
Bride: ‘I (name of bride) offer you myself in marriage by the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an obedient and faithful wife.”
Groom: “I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband.”
The person that officiates the wedding ceremony may add religious ceremony following the Nikah, which may include a recitation of the Fatihah, which is the first chapter of the Quran, as well as ‘durud,’ which is the Islamic word for ‘blessings.’
After the Fatihah is read, it is the end of the formal wedding and the couple is considered married.
The groom may kiss the bride three times on the cheek and once on the forehead.
Congratulate the special couple with our Nikah Mubarakgreeting cards.
When the married couple exists their place of marriage, Savaqah often occurs, which is a joyous tradition of showering the bride with coins.
There are certain dress protocols for guests that attend Muslim weddings. The couple or their family generally indicate how they would like their guests to dress. Different Muslim families have varying opinions on what they deem appropriate to wear. Therefore, if you are attending a wedding and are unsure of what to wear, its best to dress modestly and cover your arms, chest and legs. Women may be asked to wear a head covering, especially in the mosque.
When it comes to the dress or the outfit of the bride, many Muslim brides change into an elaborate gown after the wedding ceremony. This gown often includes gold, jewels and pearls.
Gender separation is often a wedding tradition too. Traditional wedding receptions often separate genders, men or women may celebrate in different rooms or be divided by partitions or be seated at different tables. However, many modern couples chose not to adhere to this tradition.
The wedding feast is called the Walima. In some cultures, the Walima can be celebrated over two days. Alcohol is forbidden at the reception. Candy covered almonds are popular treats that are served at the wedding feast. These are often served as the wedding favours. There is often plenty of delicious food, along with speeches, music and the cutting of the cake.
During the Walima, some bridal couples sit on thrones and receive gifts and money. Use our Mubarak Confetti Money envelopes to gift your special couples on their Walima.
Traditionally, The Prophet Muhammed accepted multiple wives, however, only if the husband’s duties don’t falter for each of his wives. Although, this practice of polygamy is fading during modern times.
Traditionally, The Prophet Muhammed accepted multiple wives, however, only if the husband’s duties don’t falter for each of his wives. Although, this practice of polygamy is fading during modern times.
