Muslim Wedding Rituals

Muslim Wedding Rituals are best known for inviting and welcoming the guests. Muslims observe colourful marriage customs in different parts of the world depending upon their local cultures and traditions. Marriage ceremonies are organised in a grand way. Besides, the bride and groom, their families, friends and relatives also enjoy the marriage events with different rituals. Muslim wedding rituals usually extend up to three days. Their marriage rituals mainly revolve around the major custom of approval of the competent parties in front of witnesses. The marriage venue in Muslim weddings does not have any particular rule and can be either in the bride or groom"s house.

Muslim marriages are not extravagant, but reflect a noticeable expression of love and affection. The various rituals of Muslim Weddings are as follows:


Muslim wedding rituals are some of the most simple and pleasant rituals, where the bride and the groom themselves enjoy amidst the merrymaking of their marriage.

Legan Chir: When the date of marriage is finalized, cash present is sent to the bride`s father by the groom`s father. The ceremony is known as Legan Chir.

Day 1 and Day 2 Ceremonies: On days one and two, first the bride`s people and then the groom`s go to the other party`s house, carrying mehendi paste in a plate. The children carry candles, which are lit before entering the respective houses. Dinner is served and songs teasing both the boy and girl are sung.

Manjha Ceremony: On the third day, manjha ceremony takes place. The prospective bride is seated on a small square table and anointed with haldi (turmeric) provided by the boy`s family. Following this ceremony, a married friend will accompany the bride everywhere and at all times. This friend will also spread the turmeric over the bride`s whole body before she bathes. For this ceremony the bride is supposed to wear yellow clothes and no jewelry. In this ceremony too there is a lot of celebration and singing.

Mehndi Ceremony: The Mehndi ceremony is the first ritual of Muslim wedding. It is held at the home of the bride on the eve of the wedding ceremony or a couple of days before it. A relative or a mehndiwali applies mehndi on the hands and feet of the bride. The event has a festive feel to it with the women singing traditional songs. The bride wears simple clothes on the day. According to custom the bride must not step out of the house for the next few days until her marriage.

Engagement or Mangni: Does not qualify the future spouses to go out together, even if the parents consent. Man and woman become permissible for each other only after the performance of Nikaah.

Dowry: The unislamic system of demanding and accepting dowry must be avoided at all costs. Shariah does not make any expense incumbent on the bride/bride`s parents. Even the marriage expenses, it is recommended to be borne by the bridegroom. However, the bride can bring whatever she wants of her free will, and it will always belong to her.

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.

Ruksat: The bride`s family bids her a farewell before she departs for her husband`s house. The bride`s father gives her hand to her husband and tells him to take protect and take good care of her.

Welcoming the Bride: At the groom`s house, the groom`s mother holds the Islamic Holy book Quran above the head of her newly wed daughter-in-law as she enters her new home for the first time.

Chauthi: The Chauthi is the fourth day after the wedding. It is customary for the bride to visit the home of her parents on this day.

Valimah: The Valimah is the lavish reception that the groom`s family hosts after the Nikaah. It is a joyous occasion that brings together the two families, their relatives and friends.