All About Muslim Matrimony

By Author: Ankush Singhal
Total Articles: 173
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Muslims weddings are elaborate affairs which involve the participation of the families of both bride and groom, as well as their friends. The sacred union of the bride and groom is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy. A wedding involves many functions and lavish arrangements of food and everything.

Agreement over the Dowry

Before the wedding ceremony in the Muslim Matrimony, the Muslim families agree over “Meher”, which the man gives to his future wife. The amount of dowry is fixed by the family of the bride. The amount of Meher is the exclusive property of women, which is given to secure her future.

The Henna Ceremony

The henna ceremony is not defined in the Quran. The customs of marriage in Islam are a little different for different countries. The ceremony begins with the purifying bath of the bride, which is known as Hamman. After bathing with the perfumed water, the bride is applied with henna on her feet and hands. The henna ceremony is generally celebrated 1-2 days before the wedding, generally in the evening. ...
... The use of henna is not only decorative: it also has a magical dimension. Indeed, the henna is believed to bring the good omen and defines the marital status of a woman. The ceremony very beautifully continues with dances and songs.

The Wedding Celebrations

The ceremony of marriage in Islam takes place at the bride’s home or sometimes at the mosque. The wedding rituals are accomplished by a Muslim judge. The Muslim marriage is not really a religious ceremony. The Islamic marriage ceremony begins by the recitation of a short speech in Arabic and reading verses from the Koran in Arabic.

Marriage Contract

The priest asks the groom if he agrees to take the girl as a wife. The bride is also asked for her approval. The amount which was set for the dowry is also recalled. The presence of Muslim witnesses at the time of marriage is essential. The marriage certificate is then given to the bride and groom. After the wedding rituals are performed, the bride is given a warm welcome by her new family and a reception, known as “Walimah” is organized, where all the family members and friends are invited for the sumptuous feats.

Conditions of Muslim Marriage

A Muslim man has the right to marry a Jewish or a Christian woman. A Muslim can marry a Catholic, but he is not allowed to marry a woman who does not believe in god or is an atheist. However, a Muslim woman can marry a Muslim, but if the groom belongs to another religion, he must convert to Islam in order to marry her.

The consent of the woman during the ceremony is mandatory in the Muslim marriage. The silence of women is considered as her consent. Like other communities, the presence of family and friends keep a special place in the Muslim matrimony also. No function is complete without the blessings of god and the elders of the family.

Rashmi writes on behalf of Jeevansathi.com, which is India’s fastest growing Matrimonial website. Jeevansathi.com enables users to create and search corresponding matches for their respective profiles like Muslim Matrimonial, Hindi Matrimony wherein users can avail free registration and make initial contact with each other.