Indian weddings are very colorful and lavish affair. Different religions celebrate their wedding ceremony in different ways. Muslim weddings are celebrated with grandeur. According to Islam, wedding is a sacred bond shared between a men and women. Muslim marriage has deep rituals and customs to follow.

Muslim weddings are considered a contract. It extends over a span of three to five days. The wedding ceremony is called “Nikah” in Urdu. There is no special mahurat arranged for the wedding. The “Nikah” ceremony can take place at the bride’s or the groom’s place or at any other venue that is convenient for both the parties. The wedding ceremony is carried out by the Qazi or the Maulvi. The Maluvi reads some readings from the holy Quran. He ask for the proposal from the groom and an acceptance from the bride. This is called the Ijab-e-Qubul. The bride’s acceptance is very important.

The groom has to pay the bride a certain amount of “Maher”. This is an important part of the wedding ceremony. It symbolizes the husband’s commitment and could be in cash or property.

Muslim weddings are chiefly divided into pre-wedding, post-wedding and main day wedding ceremonies. The pre-wedding ritual begins with the mangni ceremony where rings are exchanged between the bride and the groom. The next to follow is the Manjha ceremony where the bride is applied turmeric paste send for her by the groom’s family.  The bride wears yellow clothes for this ceremony. After the Manjha ceremony the bride is not allowed to step out of the house till the wedding day. The mehendi ceremony is organized on the wedding eve.

On the wedding day, the groom arrives at the wedding venue with the baraat. He is welcomed and is greeted with sherbet that he shares with the bride’s brother. The “Nikah” is carried out in the presence of the Qazi and two witnesses. The Qazi first asks the bride her consent for the marriage. After her approval, Qazi takes the groom’s approval. This completes the Nikah.

Nikahnama is the most importance phase in Muslim weddings. It’s a legal document that clearly states the terms for the weddings. It gives the bride the right to divorce her husband. It needs to be signed by the bride, groom, Qazi and the couple’s parents. The groom then receives blessings from the older women of the family by offering them salaam. The ceremony ends with lavish and delicious cuisines. The newly-weds see each other in the mirror with the Quran placed in between them.

Like other Indian weddings the bride is given farewell by her parents. The bride’s father gives her hand to the groom and requests him to take care of her. This is known as “Rukhsat”. The bride receives a warm welcome from her in-laws. The groom’s mother holds the Quran on the brides head and welcomes her in her new house.

On the fourth day, the bride visits her parents. This ceremony is called the “Chauti” ceremony. The groom’s parents arrange a grand reception organized at the groom’s house. This is called the “Valimah”. It’s a way to congratulate the newly-wed and brings both the families together.

Muslim weddings are simple and sober yet enjoyed by all.