Muslim Wedding Services from MBE Chauffeurs
Muslim Weddings
Customs
The Islamic religion recommends that a couple get to know each other before marriage is considered, however they are not permitted to be alone in a closed room or go out together unchaperoned. Muslim marriages are generally arranged by the parents, usually through recommendation, but the couple must both be in agreement to the union and them themselves have the final say about who they will wed. The actual proposal comes from the woman, who contacts the man through an intermediary ‐‐ normally a male relative.
Strictly speaking, Muslim women cannot marry outside their faith. Muslim men can, in principle, marry non‐Muslims, as long as they are Christian or Jewish and their children are raised as Muslims. Alternatively, it is possible for a woman to convert to the Muslim faith by performing the Shadada, a simple ceremony in which the convert accepts Allah and Mohammed.
Mahr
After accepting her offer of marriage, the groom must give the bride a Mahar (gift); no marriage is regarded as being valid without it. It is a token commitment of the husband and may be paid in cash, property or material goods or can be non-material such as a commitment to teaching his wife to read the Qur'an. Usually in the form of money or gold, it is intended as a dowry for her to use as she wishes. The engagement period lasts three months; during this time, the bride can only be in the same room as her intended, if her father or brother is present and she is covered. If the couple aren’t married by the end of this period, the engagement contract needs to be renewed. The Mahr may be paid immediately or deferred to a later date. However, a deferred mahr is still due in the event of death or divorce.
The Marriage Ceremony - called the Nikah.
In Islam, Marriage is considered both a religious duty (Ibadah) and a social necessity to get married with the ceremony, generally lasting about one‐and‐a‐half hours
The marriage ceremony begins with an address of a marriage sermon by a Muslim officiator. The sermon invites the Bride and Groom, as well as their guests, to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness and social responsibility.
Beginning with the praise of Allah, and followed by the Muslim confession of faith, three Qur'anic verses (Qur'an 4:1, 3:102, 33:70-71) and one prophetic saying (Hadith) form the main text of the marriage. The officiator then concludes the ceremony with prayer (Duoa). You can throw confetti, but it is more traditional to shower the bride with coins, a ritual known as Savaqah.
After the main ceremony, the bride and groom return to the Grooms home and the ritual of Rukhsat is performed. The father of the bride will offer his daughters hand to her new husband, asking that he takes care of her. The mother of the groom may hold the holy Quran above the brides head as she enters the home for the first time as a married couple.
After the consummation of the marriage, the groom holds a celebration banquet called a Walima. Served to the men and women separately and after the meal the couple are seated together for the first time, their heads covered by a Dupatta and prayers are read.
The Wedding Date
It is forbidden to marry on the 2 days of Eid,(8th & 9th August 2013) after the feast of Ramadan, and the Day of Pilgrimage. (13th October 2013). It is also impossible to marry on the Day of Ashura, (Thurs 14th Nov 2013)
Booking your wedding venue
As a Muslim wedding can take place anywhere and not just in a Mosque (though this is the preferred choice), you have a lot of scope for your venue. Think about:
o How many people the venue will accommodate.
o Whether it’s possible to take tape recordings, videos and photos of the event
o Flowers and ornaments. These are not allowed in the mosque, but the bride and groom are decorated with flowers for the service. If you’re opting for a wedding in a hotel or venue other than the mosque, you have more freedom and can decorate with flower arrangements, streamers and banners. However, it is always advised to speak to the co‐ordinator of your venue and community leaders about appropriate decorations.
Guests at Muslim weddings
People from all religious denominations can be invited to the wedding.
Muslim wedding wear
Traditionally, the Asian Muslim bride wears sparkling, bright clothes, with lots of jewellery and flowers. (This is in contrast to the Arab Muslim bride, who traditionally wears a white dress and veil, like her Christian counterpart. )
Her hands and feet are decorated with henna tattoos (Mehndi).
The groom wears a simple outfit, either traditional or a western‐style suit ‐ or a combination of the two.
Guests should remember that revealing clothes are not appropriate.
Reference:
http://www.confetti.co.uk/wedding-ceremonies/muslim-weddings