Muslim weddings are known as Nikah in Urdu. The ceremonies and rituals related to Muslim wedding may differ from region-to-region. However, the main wedding rituals are more-or-less same in most of the regions. But, every wedding has one significant purpose to it-celebrating the sacred union of two people. The Muslim bride and groom perform various wedding rituals before marriage and post marriage. Let’s check them closely.
Ishtikhara ritual: This is one of the most important rituals in the Muslim wedding/Nikah. The religious heads of the Muslim community come together to pray to Allah and seek his consent and blessing to commence the other rituals and ceremonies of wedding. After getting the consent, the mother of the groom visits the bride’s house to tie the silver/gold coin on the upper hand of the bride. This ceremony is known as Imam-zamin ceremony.
Mangani rituals: This is popularly known as engagement ceremony, during which the boy and the girl exchange rings. During this ceremony both the families exchange gifts, fruits, dry fruits and sweets. This ceremony is conducted in the house of the Muslim bride, where the family members of both families are present.
Manjha ceremony: In this special ceremony the would-be-bride wears yellow clothes. The ladies of the family and other female relatives apply the paste made out of haldi on her face and body. After this important ritual the would-be bride is not supposed to leave her house until her wedding day.
Mehendi ritual: The Manjha and Mehendi ceremony are more or less similar as all females of the families participate in this pre-wedding ritual. In this Mehendi ceremony, the mehendi artist applies the heena designs on the bride’s hands and feet. All females of the family apply the heena on their hands as ritual.
Sanchaq ritual: The groom’s family sends the clothes and ornaments for the bride. The would-be-bride is supposed to wear this wedding dress and jewelry during the Nikah/wedding.
Reception of the Baraat: In this ritual of the Muslim wedding, the bride’s family welcomes the baraat. The male members of the bride’s family welcome the groom, his family, all relatives and friends who are in the procession of the baraat. They offer them drinks and gifts as rituals of welcoming them. As a Muslim wedding ritual, the groom shares a glass of sherbet with the brother of the bride.
Nikah ceremony: The actual wedding ceremony of the Nikah is conducted in the presence of the Maulvi and close family members from both the sides. According to the tradition, the men and women sit separately. The bride is given a Mehr, a kind of pre-decided amount of cash, from the groom’s family as ritual. The Maulvi asks the bride is she willing to marry the groom over the amount of mehr agreed upon. The same question is repeated three times and if she agrees, the same question is asked to the groom. This ceremony is popularly known as Ijab-e-Qubul, where the Muslim groom and bride accept the marriage willingly.
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