What is nikah, or How does a Muslim wedding take place?

Muslims, like no other people, honor their traditions. For how many centuries now, traditions regarding the wedding ceremony have remained unchanged. The Koran says that the main commandment of a Muslim is to create a strong, lasting and happy family.

A Muslim wedding, as they call it.

To this day, this commandment is sacredly revered and observed. Muslims have a special wedding ceremony. It is called nikah.

Nikah

The traditional wedding ceremony among Muslims is called “nikah”. In accordance with religious traditions, all believers, when concluding a family union, go through this ceremony, otherwise the marriage will be considered invalid. This means that living together between spouses without nikah is, from an Islamic point of view, illegal, and children will be born in sin.
In modern society, the fact of performing nikah is confirmed by a document that has no legal force. Despite this, Muslims continue to sacredly honor and observe the customs of their ancestors.

Nikah is a ritual prescribed by Sharia (a set of rules concerning the life of Muslims, based on observance of the Koran). It symbolizes the sacred marriage between a man and a woman. Its essence is not only in acquiring the right to legal family relationships, living together, living and having children, but also in taking mutual obligations.

They are seriously preparing for nikah. First of all, the newlyweds inform their parents of their intention to get married in order to receive their blessing. Long before the wedding ceremony, future spouses discuss the most important moments of their life together and their expectations from each other. Thus, a girl can warn her future husband that she intends to get an education, and only after that consider having children.

Muslims are confident that all important issues, even the most intimate ones, should be discussed before marriage in order to get rid of unpleasant surprises in the future. Modern youth do not consider it immodest to come to their nikah with a marriage contract in their hands, which is read out during the ceremony in front of witnesses, in the presence of a clergyman.

Wedding ceremony Nikah: wedding in Tatar style

Nikah is an official part of a Muslim wedding, one of the most beautiful ancient traditions. Tatar weddings take place 1-2 weeks after matchmaking, in the bride’s house or in a mosque. At the Nikah ceremony there are male witnesses, the groom's father or his close relative and a Muslim priest - a mullah.

A prerequisite for the religious ceremony is that the bride and groom must be Muslims. Nikah begins with the recitation of a prayer and lasts about an hour. According to ancient tradition, the bride must keep her face covered at all times, but in our time this is practically not observed.

Next, you need to draw up a marriage contract and declare the groom’s obligations. After sealing the agreement, the mullah reads a chapter of the Koran.

Young people can register their relationship at the registry office after Nikah.

Conditions for Nikah

In Islam, there are clear regulations on the rules and conditions for entering into a religious marriage:

• nikah is concluded solely by mutual consent of a man and a woman;
• future spouses must reach marriageable age;
• it is unacceptable for them to be closely related;
• At the ceremony, the presence of a man from among the bride’s closest relatives is required, acting as a guardian: father, brother or uncle. When this is not possible, other adult Muslim men are invited;
• the ceremony always takes place in the presence of male witnesses from each of the future spouses;
• The groom must certainly pay mahr (money as a wedding gift) to the bride. The amount depends on her wishes. Modern Muslims often replace money with expensive jewelry, valuable property or real estate.

Interesting! According to Islamic tradition, the mahr should not be excessive or too small.
The conditions for concluding a nikah are in many ways similar to those that are customarily observed during secular marriage registration. This means that they have stood the test of time and have repeatedly confirmed their worth.

Marriage between a Muslim and a Christian, the position of Orthodoxy

In Old Testament times there was a strict ban on marriage with people of other faiths (Ex. 34:16). Violation of this prohibition entailed the wrath and punishment of God (Deut. 7:4). For example, the Great Flood was a consequence of the mixing of people faithful to God with infidels (Genesis 6:2-3). Also, because of his relationship with the Philistine Delilah, the Old Testament hero Samson dies (Judges 16). King Solomon also suffered from this fall (3 Kings 11:3).

There is a misconception that the New Testament completely abolished the ban on marriage with people of other faiths. However, the Church has always continued to bless marriages only with fellow believers. In the New Testament one can only find an indication that an existing marriage should not break up due to different religious affiliations of the spouses (1 Cor. 7: 10-14).

In apostolic times, pagans became Christians en masse. Therefore, it was a common situation when one of the spouses was baptized into Christ, while the other remained a pagan. The Apostle Paul says that such spouses should remain together, and expresses the hope that the unfaithful will also turn to Christ, seeing the fruits of the Christian life of his other half. Christians in those days married only Christians. This norm remained in Russia until the revolution of 1917. A union with a non-religious person, for example, a marriage between a Muslim and an Orthodox Christian, was considered illegal.

Today, the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church” states that marriage is blessed only with a fellow believer. But the interfaith union is recognized as legal, albeit without the blessing and sanctification of the Church. The document notes that

“The community of faith of spouses who are members of the body of Christ is the most important condition for a truly Christian and ecclesiastical marriage. Only a family united in faith can become a “home Church.”

To support this thesis, one can cite the words of Saint Ambrose of Milan:

“If marriage itself must be sanctified by a priestly covering and blessing, then how can there be marriage where there is no agreement of faith.”

Ideal wife for a Muslim

Muslim men are extremely responsible when choosing their future wife. for them that the girl:

• was healthy and pious;
• received a highly moral education;
• well versed in issues of the Islamic religion.

It is desirable that she is also beautiful and rich. However, the faithful respect the Prophet’s warnings that it is wrong to make a woman’s external attractiveness and her level of income the main criteria. The Prophet warned that external beauty could in the future have a detrimental effect on spiritual qualities, and wealth could cause disobedience.

The criteria for choosing a future wife are based on the goals of creating a family , because marriage is concluded for:

• creating a harmonious union of loving people;
• birth and proper upbringing of children.

From this point of view, the parameters that Muslim men use when choosing a life partner look quite logical.

Wedding preparations

Then both parties began preparations for the wedding. The bride with her family and friends prepared the dowry. Two days before the wedding, a ritual with henna was performed in the presence of the groom's matchmaker, and then the table was set for them. After the feast, henna was applied, and the bride’s friends sang a ritual song.

The bride's fingertips (usually her hands, but sometimes her feet) and hair were dyed with henna - this action is similar to the wedding tradition of Azerbaijan. On the eve of the wedding, there was a farewell party at the bride’s house, where representatives of the groom were present, but without him. Guests might inquire about them in the dowry room. The farewell took place with songs and dances until the morning, and the next morning a cart arrived for the bride and dowry from the groom.

Crimean Tatar wedding

Nikah (the wedding itself) in some areas took place in the bride's house. After putting on her wedding attire, the bride said goodbye to her mother, who blessed her. Then the father girdled his daughter with a silver belt. After this, the bride, covered with marama, was seated in a festively decorated phaeton, where a little boy sat holding the Koran in his hands. The phaeton was accompanied by carts with a dowry and close relatives, the whole procession headed to the groom’s house, where the “toi” - the wedding ceremony - took place.

The upcoming wedding was announced by horsemen, to whom the groom's mother threw a towel over her shoulder.

Everyone was waiting for the bride's arrival. At the gates of the groom's house, the wedding train was greeted by a march of musicians. The bride was brought into the groom's house by close relatives, and his parents met her at the door. The groom's mother sprinkled the girl with coins, sweets, and wheat. The boy carrying the Koran received a big gift for it. The bride was taken to the room where the nikkah was performed, if it had not already been performed in the bride's house. After this, the wedding itself began. Guests were waiting at the tables:

• sarma;
• pasties;
• kebabs;
• dolma;
• boiled meat;
• Kurabye cookies, etc.

The groom's mother went to the bride's room, the eldest of those accompanying the latter opened the veil for her, and the mother-in-law put some sweetness in the daughter-in-law's mouth. After drinking coffee, she would leave, and then send treats to this room.

"Groom's Heads"

When the bride had already arrived at the groom’s house, his entourage, called “groom’s heads,” began to prepare to shave him (the groom should have returned from his relatives by that time). Shaving symbolized farewell to the life of a bachelor and a transition to a different social status. With the help of friends, the groom then changed his clothes, after which he walked around the parents and all the old people present and kissed the hands of everyone. Father and mother blessed the groom, and his father placed a hat on his head. At the same time, a table was set in the room for the groom and friends.

Having had their fill of the treat, the youth went out into the courtyard with the musicians, where they sang the song: “Come out, groom!”, repeating it several times. Finally, the groom came out and left the wedding with friends for a bachelor's party. They usually had fun somewhere in nature, away from home, organizing various competitions.

After dinner, the bride was taken to a room where she performed ablution and read prayers. Then she was changed into another expensive, beautiful dress (a gift from the groom), and a blanket was thrown on top.

So, the bride sat behind the curtain, waiting for the groom. A feast followed with songs, dances, conversations, then the guests began to leave. The groom was brought to the bride with songs only around midnight.

The next morning the musicians woke up the young people. They got up, washed, after which the groom joined the youth. And the bride was surrounded by matchmakers, dressed her in an even more expensive dress, after which they gave a signal that she was ready for her husband’s parents to appear.

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Video about a Crimean Tatar wedding

Henna night

An Islamic woman has the right to marry more than once, but the night of henna occurs only once , 1-2 days before the first nikah. It symbolizes the girl’s separation from her father’s house and unmarried friends, and also means the beginning of a new life in the status of a wife, a married lady. Essentially, “henna night” is a bachelorette party.

According to tradition, the gathered women sing sad songs, and the bride cries. It is generally accepted that the more tears shed that night, the more successful and happier the upcoming marriage will be. In former times, marriage really gave reason for crying, because the young woman was separated from her family for a long time (sometimes forever). She was worried about moving to her fiancé's family, whom she might not even know.

A lot has changed now. The brides are no longer sad, but openly rejoice, singing and dancing. Often, “henna night” takes place in a restaurant with cheerful music, and competitions are held for the bride and her bridesmaids.

The traditional Muslim ritual opens with the “lighting of henna.” The groom's mother brings in a beautiful tray with henna and burning candles. This symbolizes the ardent mutual love of the future newlyweds. The bride's friends and relatives are present at the event - dressed up, with beautiful hairstyles. The hero of the occasion, as expected, is dressed in a luxurious red dress, and her head is covered with an elegant red veil. Guests sing songs and dance.

The future mother-in-law places a gold coin in the palm of her son's bride and holds it tightly. At this moment the girl must make a wish. The hand is painted with henna and a special red bag is placed on it.

Then all the women present are decorated with patterns from the henna mixture. An ornate design is usually applied to the hands. It is believed that this contributes to a happy marriage and long family life. Unmarried young girls prefer a small ornament, often applying paint only to the tips of their fingers - this is how they emphasize their modesty and innocence. Older women and those who already have a family richly paint their palms, hands, and sometimes feet.

Traditional wedding dresses: Tatar wedding dresses

Special requirements for the wedding dress are imposed on the bride, a symbol of modesty. Tatar long wedding dresses, not necessarily white, should cover the entire body: arms, décolleté and neck. The bride's head must be covered. An alternative to a wedding dress can be trousers with a tunic.

The Tatar wedding dress of the groom is almost any version of a European wedding. These are all kinds of suits in black, dark or gray colors, shirts, ties, tuxedos. It is obligatory for the groom to have a skullcap on his head.

The traditions of a Tatar wedding are in some ways similar to wedding traditions in Russia, because it involves matchmaking and a lavish feast. But Muslim customs are distinguished by their special flavor and solemnity. This is a big holiday from which a happy family life begins! You can learn more about the wedding traditions of the peoples of the world on the portal Svadbaholik.ru.

Spiritual Guidelines of Islam

The nikah ceremony can take place in any language. The main thing is that the bride, groom and witnesses understand the meaning of what was said and what is happening.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the mullah reads a sermon:

• about the meaning of marriage and the mutual responsibility of spouses to each other;
• about the importance of decent upbringing of offspring.

Traditionally, during the ceremony, a relative of the bride asks her consent to marry. At the same time, the bride’s silence does not mean that she objects. Spiritual traditions allow that, being a virgin, the future wife may simply be embarrassed to express her “yes” out loud.

If a woman does not want to get married, no one has the right to force her to do so. This applies to both relatives and the groom himself or representatives of the clergy. Forcing marriage is considered a great sin in Islam. When the bride and groom express mutual consent, the imam or mullah announces that the marriage has been concluded. After this, excerpts from the Koran are read and prayers are offered for the happiness and well-being of the young family.

Important! In accordance with spiritual tradition, it is recommended to end the nikah with a celebration, to which many guests are invited and abundant food is served.

For Muslims, weddings are not just a beautiful custom. In accordance with the wills of the Prophet, men who have the opportunity and desire to marry must do so. The concept of “opportunity” includes:

• normal physical and mental health;
• awareness of moral responsibility for the family and willingness to accept it;
• the required level of material security;
• literacy in matters of religion.

Muslims, not without reason, believe that compliance with these rules is an indispensable condition for happiness and harmony in marriage.

Wedding customs among the Bashkirs. Modern look

People are being fed the latest traditions and rules that do not correspond to the “old program”. But it is precisely in the “old program” that our strength, our endless energy lies. Therefore, if a person loses his traditions, then he, like a tree without roots, can fall and “dry up” at any moment. Just look at real examples of those people who live in the north or in large cities. Global relocation for the sake of earning money has destroyed the most valuable things in them. Children who are born in the north (and not only) no longer remember their native language, do not know their culture, traditions are simply devalued. But there are enough similar cases in the republic. I know examples of such families, and this is a very sad statistic. Of course, no one blames or condemns anyone. That's life.

Another story is that if all traditions and customs are modernized and improved, while maintaining the basic laws, then we will survive and remain an integral people. That is, “updating the old system” is the main thing, but there is always room for innovations that only decorate or make any product more convenient.

As I wrote above, in the modern world there are a lot of problems associated with non-compliance with the wedding traditions and customs of one’s people. Which often leads subsequently to the collapse of the family. These are the realities of life. Do you think that such a “small problem” cannot destroy a family? Firstly, this is not a small problem, but a global one. Secondly, you should just look back and analyze. There are many families that have broken up due to non-compliance with customs. Thirdly, how can a family exist happily for which all relatives “raised their glasses”? This is already initially contrary to the laws and sacredness of the family. Naturally, there are other factors that destroy a family, but they mainly come from non-compliance with some basic rules. So, modern wedding traditions are carried out in several stages: – meeting the parents, – negotiations about the wedding and nikah; – nikah; - wedding; – first day at my husband’s house.

Meeting parents and negotiating wedding and nikah

I will give more clear examples when describing traditions.

Previously, parents married their daughter from the age of 14, and some families held “Kyrgatuy” or “Golak Teshlateu” from the age of 3-5. That is, at such a young age, the parents of the girl and boy agreed on a future wedding and exchanged gifts. The boy was supposed to lightly bite the girl's ear as a sign that she was already a future bride. He gave her earrings, which is why this custom was called “Kyrgatuy”, and the girl gave her fiancé a skullcap. After this, the girl should not have married anyone else. This whole custom was done only for one thing - to ensure a good future for their children. From a very early age, parents were looking for a husband or wife for them. There is great wisdom in this custom. But now in our modern society there are no such wise customs left, but the world is changing. It’s scary to imagine the rebellion of two young people if they were married without consent.

Today, a guy and a girl solve problems on their own, seek their own happiness, which greatly complicates the situation. After all, the choice is huge, and you can’t recognize a person right away. There are both pros and cons to this. Time does not stand still, so you need to look at the world differently, but still respect the important points.

Nowadays, acquaintance according to Sharia is becoming increasingly widespread, as before. The girl and the guy meet three times and get to know each other. This usually happens in front of witnesses or in crowded places. They ask about the main points: family, education, place of residence, children, work, hobbies and plans. If everything suits them, then they don’t hesitate with nikah. But there are not many such cases, although they should be practiced from the point of view of simplicity.

Now let's take a realistic look at the situation and consider the customs that we have preserved.

As soon as a guy and a girl decide to get married, they go to meet their parents. First of all, the guy goes to the girl to ask for the hand of his beloved. If the father agrees, and he often agrees, then further acquaintance occurs on the young man’s side. Then the parents of the young man and the girl must meet to negotiate a future wedding. The guy's parents go to the girl with gifts and treats. They must bring one or two rams as ransom. These rams are then slaughtered for the wedding celebration. The girl’s side prepares a large table with national treats, two or three families come to witness the negotiations. After negotiations, the date of nikah and wedding is set. In addition to these customs, there are also nuances in different regions. In the Trans-Ural region there are some customs, and closer to Ufa there are others. That is why previously a girl had to be married no further than 90 km, so that traditions and customs would coincide. After all, the inconsistency of some customs has a detrimental effect on the psychological state of the daughter-in-law.

Mahr for the bride

Nikah

Nikah takes place on the girl’s side, because they come to ask for her hand in marriage. As a rule, nikah is performed by a mullah who has known the girl since childhood (nikah is a marriage concluded between a man and a woman in Islamic family law - author's note).

Nikah is a very important stage of marriage, and, according to Sharia law, if the nikah is not read, then the wedding itself will not be considered valid. After all, nikah is concluded for the sake of God and before God with witnesses. The latter take responsibility before God in order to further help with advice and in solving various everyday problems. Two witnesses on the girl’s side and one guardian must be present. The guardian is the girl's father or paternal uncle, two witnesses are adult men on the girl's paternal side or one man and two women. But if there is no father or there are other reasons, then you need to clarify this point with the imam. Witnesses must understand responsibility and soberly assess the situation. The groom's side is attended by parents and close relatives. A prerequisite is the consent of parents on both sides to enter into this marriage. If the parents do not agree or one party is absent, the mullah does not recite the nikah. This is an example of treating parents with respect and listening to their advice.

Let's imagine the situation. When a girl and a guy meet relatives from both sides during a nikah or wedding, they automatically become responsible. During a nikah or wedding, the groom sees all the girl’s relatives, respectively, her protectors, and realizes that everything is not just like that. How will he act irresponsibly with his wife after this? The wisdom of the witnesses and the guardian is also great. If there are no witnesses, then a man can treat his wife carelessly. The same situation is with the girl. What wisdom in a wedding! What wisdom there is in customs. Now try to imagine the other side and remember those examples where a man left the family. Was this due to non-compliance with traditions? I personally have enough examples to prove that customs and our family are not only wealth, but also support and protection.

Mahr and bride price

During Nikah, the groom must give his future wife a valuable gift (mahr). Usually these are gold or silver jewelry. Some people are even given apartments or cars as gifts, but this should not be neglected, because this is not very welcomed by religion. The quantity and value of the mahr is discussed before the nikah is read, and the mullah asks the bride if she is satisfied with this mahr. If not, then the groom must promise in front of everyone that after a certain period he will pay the amount of mahr. The mahr must be valuable so that in the event of the death of her husband or divorce, the woman can live on the amount of the sold mahr for another three months.

In some areas, they also give bride price as a bride price. The amount varies from 15 thousand or more - as the girl’s parents request. The girl's parents receive the bride price, not the girl herself. This amount must be used for the wedding. In addition, the groom's mother gives her future daughter-in-law a beautiful dress or shawl. Both sides give each other dresses - this custom is called “kүldәk kejҙereү”. The main matchmakers and matchmakers give beautiful and elegant dresses as a sign of respect and acceptance of the contract on both sides. The groom gives silver earrings to the bride's sisters. The number of gifts on this day is in no way inferior to a wedding. And the table is always full of traditional treats.

In the evening, young couples, friends of the bride and groom come to visit (it’s different everywhere), mostly the girl’s daughters-in-law, because they will then play an important role in carrying out the “Yyrtysh” custom.

At the height of the holiday, the bride must escape from her husband unnoticed, and her friends help her with this. She is hiding in her brother and daughter-in-law's house. This custom is both humorous and important. After all, after her husband finds her, they should have their first wedding night. The groom is looking for his bride and as soon as he finds the house where she is hidden, jokes begin from the bride's relatives. He must give a ransom in order to enter the house and give beautiful scarves to the two main daughters-in-law. As soon as he finds his wife, the bride's daughters-in-law hold out a red cloth in front of him so that he can tear it with his strong step. This ritual is called “yyrtysh” and determines how this night will take place. Yirtysh - from the word “yyrta”, that is, “tears into pieces.”

The fabric will be used the next day during the “Yyrtysh Seiye” - tea party for women. The fabric will be divided into several parts and given to each woman who comes to visit.

After this ceremony, the girl becomes a real woman.

The custom of the Bashkirs is “Yyrtysh”. Painting: Tansulpan Burakaeva

Wedding

After the nikah, a wedding is held, the date and place are designated in advance. Nowadays it is customary to hold it on neutral territory, but previously it was celebrated first on the bride’s side, then on the groom’s side. The holiday lasted three whole days, and sometimes more. Nowadays, such weddings are held in villages, but this is rare.

In a modern wedding, some traditions are also preserved, but they cannot be observed in one day, so only the most important ones are carried out. As before, the newlyweds are congratulated, given gifts and having fun. The bride must dance the "bride dance", during which coins are thrown to her so that her life will be prosperous. You can also see such customs as “kilen һөөү” and “keyәү һөөү”, where the bride and groom are praised and given certain gifts. There are a lot of innovations in today's weddings. Mostly young people hold European weddings, but in compliance with several Bashkir traditions.

Sober weddings

Nowadays, sober weddings are becoming popular, where they drink only national drinks - kumiss and buzu.

This is indeed a trend that people are accustomed to and already consider to be the norm, although a couple of years ago this method was very rarely practiced.

I remember my sister and her husband held their first sober wedding in 2011.
It was unusual, people considered it an innovation, and all traditions were followed at the wedding and nikah. Nowadays, modern youth chooses not only a sober wedding, but also a sober life. Healthy lifestyle is more relevant than ever. The bride's first day at her husband's house
The bride is greeted very beautifully. Relatives from the groom's side gather and prepare a large table. After all, this is a whole holiday! The mother-in-law puts a white pillow on the ground, and the daughter-in-law must step on it to make life soft. Greeted with honey and butter to make life sweet and smooth. Both the bride and groom taste honey and butter from the hands of the mistress of the house. Thus, she gives them parting words and meets her daughter-in-law. Next, there is a tea party where the daughter-in-law is praised. There is also an interesting and important custom where the daughter-in-law must go to the spring to get water so that all the guests can taste her tea. Of course, all the guests accompany her and help her carry water. And everything happens accompanied by comic games and national music. Next, the daughter-in-law puts on the samovar and pours tea for everyone. The next day, the bride gives small gifts to her husband's sisters and nieces. And the young husband on the bride’s side gives a knife to his wife’s brothers and nephews.

Modern traditions are much simpler than ever.
But there are the most basic ones, if followed, life will only be for the good. After all, there is a lot of wisdom in our traditions, although we may not understand some. Only if they are observed, we are promised a calmer and more favorable life, because it is not so simple now. The traditions of the Bashkirs have always called for honoring and respecting adults, listening to their wise advice, and being honest and patient. Just look around and draw a conclusion. Previously, there were no such numbers of divorces, people used to be more patient and merciful towards each other, there were no big scandals or global problems. Of course, there are different songs where they sing about the unfortunate fate of a girl or vice versa. Yes, our modern eyes cannot even understand some customs. But there was respect, there was honor, and all because customs and traditions “kept people in shape.” Now we are returning to our roots and traditions. This can be seen both on social networks and in real life. I believe that this is the great good and salvation of our people. The material was prepared by Guzelia Bai.

Nikah with a Christian woman

Islam does not prohibit Muslim men from marrying Christian and Jewish women. At the same time, a woman is not obliged to change her faith, and forcing her to do so is considered a sin. However, it is advisable for family members to adhere to the same religion in the future. This will allow you to avoid many disagreements when living together, including in matters of raising children.

Nikah with a girl of a different faith is carried out in compliance with all traditions, but there are a number of features:

• witnesses on the part of the bride must be Muslims, since the presence of representatives of other religions during the ceremony is unacceptable;
• the girl must be dressed in accordance with Islamic rules;
• When performing nikah, the bride says a special prayer - shahada - and receives a second (Muslim) name.

Interesting! Islamic women are only allowed to marry Muslims. They can start a family with representatives of other faiths only if the future husband converts to Islam.

Nikah (Muslim wedding)

The content of the article:

What is nikkah among Muslims?

Nikah is a Muslim wedding, similar to the Christian ceremony of wedding or marriage before God. It is believed that zawaj (one of the names of nikah) helps to unite people, establishing relationships between them full of love, mutual understanding and cooperation. Its main purpose is to create a family, which is the basis for the prosperity and well-being of each person individually and the entire state as a whole.

Conditions for holding nikah

In order to perform the nikah ritual, several conditions must be met:

• • Consent to the marriage must be mutual and voluntary on both the part of the groom and the bride;

• • During the ceremony, at least two people must be present acting as witnesses;

• • Absence of Shariah prohibitions on zawaj. A Muslim woman has no right to marry a non-Muslim; a man, in turn, can marry a girl who professes a different faith, but she should not be a polytheist or an unbeliever;

• • A wedding in Islam involves the groom giving his bride an offering in the form she desires. It is believed that a gift drives hatred out of the heart, and the beginning of a new married life cannot begin with resentment or anger, so the groom should listen to the request of his chosen one and give her a material (give jewelry or money) or intangible (take her to Hajj) gift .

• • A Muslim wedding should be public and open, not limited in time.

Ceremony in the mosque

It is advisable to schedule the wedding ceremony for Friday evening. Typically, Muslims perform nikah a few days before the secular marriage registration procedure.

Fees

It all starts with the fact that each of the future spouses, while still at home, completely washes their body and puts on formal attire. In this case, the bride’s dress is long, closed and not tight-fitting, and the headdress (veil or scarf) completely covers the hair. For this reason, Muslim brides are spared the need to spend long hours at the hairdresser on the eve of the ceremony.

As for the groom's suit, modern men do not attach special importance to it, often choosing the usual “two-piece”. Recently, there has been a tendency to order a special frock coat, which is paired with classic trousers and shoes.

A prayer is offered in the parental home, the newlyweds ask and receive the blessings of their father and mother, after which the bride and groom, each accompanied by their parents, go to the ceremony. Traditionally, the nikah ceremony takes place in a mosque, but it is not forbidden to get married at home, where a representative of the clergy is specially invited.

Ceremony

The ceremony begins with a sermon given by a mullah or imam.

Further:

• prayers follow for the happiness and well-being of the new family;
• the mahr is voiced, which the girl often receives right there;
• the groom prays for the good of his future wife and her protection from evil forces.

Having received mutual consent from the newlyweds, the mullah announces the marriage, after which the spouses exchange wedding rings. At the end of the ceremony they are given a special certificate.

Meeting the bride at the groom's house: interesting traditions of the Tatar wedding

According to Tatar rules, the meeting of the bride is accompanied by a particularly warm and hospitable welcome. Special honor is given to the guest by placing pillows under her feet. Then the bride is treated to bread and honey in the name of good-hearted relations with her mother-in-law and the groom's sisters. And if the bride dips her hands in flour, prosperity and prosperity await the newly-made family.

The ceremony of consecrating the home by the bride deserves special attention. Hanging up new towels and curtains, as well as laying out rugs, gives the bride the right to get comfortable in the new home, and the groom's relatives to look at the dowry.

The move ends with a magnificent feast.

Rings

Important! According to Sharia rules, Muslim wedding rings must be only silver, without precious stones. For men, this condition is still mandatory today, but women are allowed gold.

Jewelry companies offer a variety of wedding rings for nikah, the main decoration of which are words and phrases praising Allah. They can be inscribed on both the internal and external surfaces of the decoration. Small, “modest” diamonds are increasingly sparkling on women’s rings.

Banquet in Muslim style

After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests go to a gala dinner. Wedding tables are set abundantly and variedly. To create a special atmosphere of celebration, musicians are invited to the event. People are having fun and dancing.

It is allowed to invite friends and relatives to the wedding banquet, regardless of religion. Before the start of the feast, guests present gifts to the newlyweds. Most gifts given are money, special gold coins and expensive jewelry.

According to Muslim tradition, there should be no alcohol or pork on the table. But sweets, fruits, juices and popular carbonated drinks are welcome. At the end of the festive dinner, the newly made husband and wife leave for home.

Muslim wedding: customs and traditions of the East

Islam is one of the most mysterious religions that is spread throughout the world. At the same time, the customs and traditions of Muslims may differ in different countries. Such changes are associated with the modern development of the world and the influence of European culture. However, the Muslim world still stands out for its high respect for its roots and traditional rituals.

The most interesting traditions occur at wedding celebrations. A Muslim wedding is always bright, expensive and colorful. Holidays are famous for the huge number of guests, luxurious decoration of the banquet hall and expensive gifts... Find out how Muslim weddings are held on the pages of Svadbaholik.ru.