Muslim weddings are a set example of Muslim culture and their heritage.
The Muslim marriage or more popularly called as the Nikah, though a simple affair, but the elegance with which it is carried is not like any other Indian marriage.
Let us have word on Muslim wedding rituals.
Baraat
The grooms arrive with this friends and relatives at the venue of the marriage where the bride and her family are waiting for them. He wears a traditionally made sherwani.
The musical band plays loud music to mark the arrival of groom in front of the venue. The groom and the brother of the bride drink sherbet drinks together.
As the baraat enters, the sisters of the bride playfully slap the guests from the groom’s side with flower batons.
The ceremony of Nikaah
The ceremony of Nikaah is solemnized either at groom’s house or bride`s house. If not, then a wedding venue can be chosen as per your convenience.
The ceremony of wedding or Nikaah is performed by the Qazi. Qazi is a Muslim marriage priest. He appoints two male members to be the witness to the order of marriage form the bride`s family. The Walis or the fathers of bride and groom are also required to be present while the Nikaah is read by the Qazi.
The amount of Mehar is decided by the elderly of both the families. Mehar is the amount of cash given to the bride by her parents as her wedding gift.
The maulvi reads the marriage contract first to the bride and then to the groom. After acceptance of each by the word “kubool” the marriage is solemnized.
The Nikah –Nama or the marriage certificate is signed by the bride, groom, their waalis and the witnesses.
Marriage feast
The feast in Muslim marriages will easily remind you of cuisines of Nawabs. The menu mainly comprises of meat of goat .there is no shortage of desserts either.
Aarshimashaf
After the dinner the couple is allowed to sit together for the first time. The maulvi (priest) keeps a Quran between them and their heads are covered with a duppata. They are then allowed to see each other through a mirror.
Other simple Muslim wedding rituals include taking blessing from the elderly by the bride and the groom.
