Ultimate Guide to Muslim Weddings – 15+ Essential Muslim Wedding Customs You Didn’t Know About

Marriage is about the joining of two families and weddings are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate a religion, culture or background that has special importance for you and your family. Given that Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, it should come as no surprise that Islamic weddings are rich with beautiful traditions and wedding rites passed down through the decades.

Understanding the nuances of Muslim weddings is essential, whether you’re planning your own traditional Muslim wedding ceremony and celebration or attending a Muslim wedding for the first time. We’re examining what occurs during Muslim weddings, including the traditions and rituals you should be aware of and the geographical variations of Muslim weddings throughout the world.

By delving into the essential customs and rituals of Muslim weddings, you can gain a deeper understanding of the values and traditions that shape these joyous occasions. Whether you’re a Muslim couple planning your own wedding or a guest attending a Muslim wedding, this ultimate guide will equip you with the knowledge to fully appreciate and participate in the rich tapestry of Muslim wedding customs.

How Do Muslim Weddings Differ Around the World?

It’s important to note that there are a wide variety of Muslim celebrations and wedding traditions. Islam is the second-largest religion on the earth and Muslims have sizable and diverse populations all over the world. Regional variations in Muslim marriages reflect local cultural and ethnic traditions.

Whether it’s South Asian, East Asian, North African or Arab, it all depends on the region. Because it is only one method to celebrate the wedding, some individuals borrow ideas from their culture even though they have nothing to do with Islam. Despite being a Muslim wedding, you may observe it being performed in various ways.

One notable distinction is how brides and grooms are introduced to their spouses. During a zaffe, the bride is often processed and given to her fiancé in Arab weddings. During a baraat, the groom is often processed and presented to his bride in South Asian weddings.

The quantity of festivities is another obvious distinction. The Shaadi, which often occurs the same day as the Nikah, and the Walima, which typically occurs the next day, are the two main reception-style celebrations that usually accompany South Asian weddings, in contrast to an Arab wedding’s one (the Walima).

Beyond regionality, certain distinctions between nations can be noticed at an even finer scale. Consider Indonesian Muslim weddings as an illustration. Despite having the biggest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia doesn’t have a recognized national religion. Although the Nikah ceremony must be witnessed by both a religious officiant and a government official, a Muslim marriage contract is nevertheless regarded as both a religious and civil document.

In addition, Indonesia is home to various Muslim customs due to the vast number of ethnic groups and their diverse cultures found throughout the country’s islands. The Javanese custom of the bride’s father weighing the bride and groom separately on his knees and declaring they weigh the same as a sign of their equality is a perfect example.

The Muslim Wedding Ceremony?

A Nikah/katb Al kitab (the signing of a marriage contract), the presenting of a mahr (a gift, typically of monetary value) from the groom to the bride and a Walima/Valima(reception) are the three minimum elements of most Muslim marriages. A couple’s personal tastes and long-term goals will determine whether their Nikah occurs on the same day as their Walima or months beforehand.

Since it permits the bride and groom to be together alone without a chaperone, some Muslims will compare the period between a Nikah and Walima to the Western idea of dating. Nevertheless, Muslims who reside in Western nations are progressively more likely to date.

Is Alcohol Served at Muslim Weddings?

No. You can anticipate a halal food at a Muslim wedding, including the lack of alcohol.

What Should You Wear to a Muslim Wedding?

In general, modest clothing is suggested. People of both genders should wear longer skirts and trousers and cover their arms when possible. Be prepared to take off your shoes before entering the holy area of the mosque if the location of the wedding ceremony is a mosque.

While brides at Arab weddings may wear long-sleeve wedding gowns with a headscarf, Muslim women attending Indian weddings may choose a sari or lehenga. It may be customary for female wedding attendees to cover their heads. Thus packing a scarf is advisable.

Do They Dance at Muslim Weddings?

You won’t find many guests sitting at most Arab weddings. Professional dancers first perform the dabke, a well-known folk dance, followed by the wedding guests. In a circle, guests will dance shoulder to shoulder with one another. In contrast, visitors at an Egyptian wedding are more likely to watch belly dancers.

What To Wear To A Nikah Ceremony As A Guest?

Nikah rituals are sometimes extravagant and colorful. There are no specific religious attire requirements for a Nikah ceremony held at a home or wedding venue. Muslims typically dress in ways that are typical of their culture.

However, those attending a Nikah ceremony in a mosque must dress modestly and completely cover their flesh. Women should cover their hair and can accessorize with a scarf. In the mosque, men may dress appropriately in a three-piece suit.

Are Gifts Appropriate at Muslim Weddings?

Gifts are welcomed and appropriate in Muslim marriages. It’s customary for visitors to think about giving the newlyweds cash, which will be given to them during the wedding reception.

Do Men and Women Sit Separately at Muslim Weddings?

If you’re a guest at a Muslim wedding, remember that any event that takes place as part of the ceremony, including a Walima, may necessitate separating the sexes by table or even into different rooms. This is dependent on the families’ respective cultural backgrounds and worldviews.

In terms of the seating arrangement during a Muslim wedding, there will occasionally be gender segregation, with the males seated on one side and the ladies seated on another side. There are certain Muslim weddings that are totally gender segregated, with the groom and all the males in a separate chamber from the bride and all the ladies.

The bride and groom either gather together in one location once the ceremony is completed in each room or the groom usually goes to the location where the bride and all the women are and takes a seat next to the bride. Other times, there is no gender separation and everything occurs in the same hall, ballroom, location or area. Really, it all relies on the family as a whole.

What Songs Are Played at a Muslim Wedding Ceremony?

At a Nikah ceremony, individuals typically want to listen to gentle, beautiful love songs. No music may be played during a Nikah ceremony if it takes place in a mosque out of respect for the sacred space. After the Nikah, music is typically performed in the couple’s home.

Where Does a Muslim Wedding Ceremony Take Place?

Muslims are not legally required by Islamic law to hold a Nikah ceremony at a particular location. However, most Muslims plan the Nikah ceremony at a mosque since they view it as something holy. There are separate sitting areas for men and women within the mosque. Only when the Nikah is complete is the man permitted to visit his wife.

Nowadays, many Muslims have private Nikah rituals at their residences or neighboring tents, banquet halls or hotels. Any of these situations still need the presence of witnesses on both sides.

Who Can Perform a Nikah Ceremony?

There are no restrictions on who can officiate a Nikah ceremony, just like there are none on the location. Anyone who knows these verses and has sufficient understanding of Islam can execute the Nikah ceremony. There is a certain sequence and pattern of specific religious verses that must be recited aloud before the wedding.

The Nikah is often performed in a mosque by the Qazi or a religious authority. A senior male relative of the couple may also perform the Nikah.

Customs and Traditions

The meher ensures the wife’s autonomy and rights in a marriage and is typically set to satisfy the bride’s requirements. Some brides may request a piece of real estate, jewels or another priceless object as a substitute for cash.

The declaration of meher is another aspect of Nikah rituals. The groom must give his wife meher as payment for their marriage. Typically, this meher is presented twice — once immediately following the Nikah and again at any point in the couple’s marriage. The decision and payment of the meher are crucial components of a Muslim’s Nikah.

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South Asian Muslim Wedding Traditions

Any Muslim wedding in South Asia, whether it be in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, is certain to be a lovely and joyous occasion. South Asian weddings are renowned and adored for being multi-day celebrations. 

1. Mehndi

The bride and other wedding guests, usually female family members and bridesmaids, receive henna tattoos on their hands at a mehndi, which takes place before the wedding. A Manjha, which is the South Asian version of a Haldi, when the pair applies turmeric paste on themselves before the wedding, is also practiced by certain South Asian couples.

2. Nikah

In a nutshell, the Nikah (also known as katb Al kitab) is a Muslim wedding ritual. The Muslim marriage contract is signed as the foundation of this ritual. This agreement will function as both a religious and civil pact in nations with a majority of Muslims (meaning this is what the government will use to recognize the marriage legally).

The Nikah ceremony is often performed at a mosque, but in the US, particularly in rural regions or places without sizable Muslim populations, a Nikah is frequently a very private family event performed at home. An Imam, a Qazi (an Islamic judge) or any Muslim with a thorough knowledge of Islamic customs, such as a Maulvi, can preside over a Nikah.

3. Mehr

According to Islamic law, a marriage must have a Nikah, a Mehr and witnesses to be valid. But there will be cultural elements that will be involved depending on the couple’s race and locality. For a Muslim wedding, religiously speaking, what counts is the ceremony itself typically lasts for around 10-15 minutes.

However, South Asian weddings typically last for many days and are quite elaborate since many aspects of a South Asian couple’s wedding are inspired by the culture of the country or area they are from, whether it be Pakistan or India. The fact that they are more culturally integral to a wedding means that different religious groups across all religions share a variety of wedding rituals.

4. Surah Al-Fatihah

The engagement of an Islamic couple often starts with the reading of the first chapter of the Quran.

5. Arsi Mushaf

This is the stage of the wedding where the husband views the face of the bride in a mirror that is held between them. Arsi means mirror and Mushaf signifies the Holy Quran.

6. Baraat

This is the groom’s entry to the Shaadi, which is celebrated in grand style. Frequently, drummers and wedding attendees will be present as the groom rides in on a white horse.

7. Shaadi

The wedding reception or Shaadi is the wedding party. Often, the Nikah and this will occur on the same day.

8. Joota Chupai

This is a humorous tradition known as “hiding of the shoes,” in which members of the wedding party and the bride’s family would playfully kidnap the groom’s shoes and hold them hostage as a joke.

9. Walima

Sometimes festivities continue after the reception during Pakistani Muslim weddings. The ceremony and reception will be performed by the bride’s family. The bridegroom’s family then hosts a Valima or Walima celebration.

Islamically, this is merely a necessity for the groom to provide a dinner reception or a welcoming supper to announce the marriage and welcome the bride and her family after the wedding. According to tradition, the guy must host or cover the cost of the celebration. Thus, there is a distinction between South Asian and Arab marriages in this regard. 

Arab marriages are more commonly conducted according to Islamic practice, with the groom covering all wedding-related expenses. Contrarily, in South Asian customs, everything associated with the wedding — aside from the Valima — is often paid for by the bride’s family. Thus, there are two receptions: one hosted by the bride’s family on the day of the wedding and the Islamic portion, hosted by the groom on a different evening.

10. Rukhsati

The Rukhsati, also known as the Rukhsat, is the newlyweds’ magnificent farewell from the wedding to their new house.

Arab Muslim Wedding Traditions

Arab weddings are famous for their extravagant performances. The culture and customs of Muslim Arab weddings are very distinct. Additionally, you frequently observe a more neutral color scheme with whites and golds.

Usually, both the ceremony and the reception take place on the same day. A lot of it is cultural, where they’ll have pre-wedding events starting from many months out being held for the couple. When it comes to South Asian weddings, you’ll see several celebrations starting months before the wedding. 

1. Tolbe

During the Tolbe, a pre-marriage ritual, the groom formally begs the bride for her hand in marriage. The Holy Quran’s “Surah al-Fatiha,” a brief supplication to Allah, is read at this point.

2. Katb Al-kitaab

The couple’s wedding ceremony is called the Katb Al-Kitaab, sometimes referred to as the Nikah.

3. Zaffe

The zaffe is the entrance of the newlyweds into their reception. The term “entry” is a little deceptive because this elaborate custom also features dancing, drumming and a group of visitors doing the zaghrouta.

4. Dabke

The traditional performances known as dabke take place during Arab Muslim weddings. To start dancing, couples will engage professional dancers.

5. Barmet Al-aroos

The wedding’s big exit for the newlyweds will look like this. In their own vehicles, wedding guests frequently follow the newlyweds as they return to the hotel, honking and shouting in joy.

Conclusion

Muslims from various locations celebrate marriages in various ways. The Nikah ritual, however, is a feature of all these Muslim weddings. Such a ceremony often marks the beginning of a new path for two souls with a quiet celebration.