Muslim wedding is celebrated in a grand way over a period of five days. Muslim culture all over the world is known to have one of the best in inviting and welcoming guests. Wedding Ceremonies give them a chance to entertain guests in bulk. Muslim wedding known as Nikaah can take place at any convenient time. Also the wedding venue can be the bride or groom`s house. However, these days it has become a fashion to hold the wedding ceremony in the banquet hall. In orthodox Muslim communities, the men and women are seated separately in Zenana (for woman) and Mardaana (for men). The Maulvi reads selected verses from the Quran and the Nikaah is complete after the Ijab-e-Qubul (proposal and acceptance). The validity of the Nikaah depends on proposal on one side, usually the groom`s (Ijab) and acceptance on the other side, the bride`s (Qubul). The mutual consent of the bride and groom is of great importance for the marriage to be legal. Besides, the Islam marriage law demands that neither of the parties must be legally incapacitated from entering into the marriage.

The Mehndi is the event where you put henna on the bride and groom`s hands. Marked by traditional songs and dances, it sometimes extends to two days - one day over at the groom`s place to put henna on his hand and the second day over at the bride`s house to put henna on hers.

The actual Nikah is called a Shadi, which is traditionally done by the bride`s side. This is the signing of official paperwork in the presence of an Imam.

After signing these papers and doing some religious ceremony, the couple is declared husband and wife. To celebrate, guests eat of the many lavish dishes that are served.

To announce the marriage officially the Walima takes place as a feast given by the groom`s family. Both husband and wife welcome the guests and mingle with them while people eat dinner.

Pre-Wedding Rituals of Islam Wedding

Other Unislamic Customs: Many other unislamic customs have crept into the marriage ceremony of some Muslims. These customs are either borrowed from non-Muslim cultures or continue because they are established in past generations. One must avoid them if they are against the Shariah, even if some people are displeased. Other customs like the breaking of coconut etc. also do not feature among the Islamic rituals. All actions, customs etc., which show disrespect to Islam or weaken the importance of Islam, have to be avoided.

Banned Acts: Some of the rituals in marriage ceremonies are absolutely banned like the playing of music. It is also forbidden for ladies to go for mixed gatherings without proper Hijab. In the Islamic Law, marriage is a contract. The components of this contract are as follows:

A. Proposal: In Islam the process of proposal by a man to a woman for her hand in marriage, or for that matter, to her family, is encouraged. Islam considers this natural, and recommends it as an act of respectability and dignity for women.

B. Mahr: And the intending husband is asked to offer a Mahr to the bride. The Quran says, give women their Mahr as a free gift, but if they of themselves be pleased to give up to you a portion of it, then eat it with enjoyment and with wholesome result.

The Mahr may be cash, kind or non-material (like training or teaching something). It can be paid up front or can be in form of promise to pay upon demands decided prior to the solemnization of marriage. Moajjal (immediate), Muwajjal and Indat-talab (on demand). However, it is much recommended to pay it before or at the time of Nikah itself.

The Wedding Ceremony
Welcoming the Baraat: The groom arrives at the wedding venue with a wedding procession or baraat consisting of relatives and friends accompanying a band of musicians to announce their arrival. A lot of playful games are played and a welcome drink is served to the groom`s family.

The wedding night:
It is highly recommended that the wedding should take place at night. When the bride enters the room, the groom is recommended to take off her shoes and wash her feet and then sprinkle the water around the room. Then he should pray Then he should ask the bride to pray. When they are ready to go to bed, the groom should put his hand on the bride`s forehead and pray As far as the Shariah is concerned, it is neither obligatory nor forbidden to have sex on the first night. It is a private decision between the newly wed couple; it has nothing to do with others.

Nikaah: It is on day four the actual Muslim Nikaah or wedding ceremony takes place. Nikah can be conducted at the home of the bride or the groom, or at any other convenient venue. The nikaah ceremony is presided over by the qazi or law officer.

Time of Marriage Ceremony:hough basically marriage is allowed at all times, there are some days on which marriage is not recommended; some of these are based on ahadith and some on cultural, historical reasons.

Permission of the Bride-to-be/Father: The girl`s consent is necessary and has to be taken by her representative, directly.

In case of a virgin/spinster the father`s or the grandfather`s permission is also necessary. However if the permission is unreasonably withheld under some conditions or the girl has no father/paternal grandfather it is not necessary. However, a woman who is not a virgin, does not require any permission in case of remarriage.

Valima (Dinner): Valima is highly recommended on the groom. The relatives, neighbors and friends must be invited for Valima. However, lavish spending is not advisable especially when the same money can be used effectively by the couple.

Blessing the Groom: After the wedding ceremonies are over the groom receives blessings from the older women and offers them his salaam. The guests pray for the marital bliss of the newly wed couple.

Dinner, Prayers and Aarsimashaf: As Muslim community is known for their `mehmaan nawazee` and also for their food, dinner is obviously a very grand occasion in their weddingsUsually, the women and the men dine separately. After dinner, the newly-weds sits together for the first time. Their heads are covered by a dupatta while they read prayers under the direction of the maulvi (priest). The Quran is placed between the couple and they are allowed to see each only through mirrors.

Post Wedding Ceremony in Islam
Post-Wedding rituals followed in Muslim Nikah are similar to other Indian weddings. However, the customs are followed under different names and some cultural variations can be observed.