January 5, 2013
Muslim Weddings
In the Muslim religion there are certain rituals and traditions that are performed throughout the marriage process from Istikhara to Arshimarsaf. And many other things have to happen in order to prepare for the wedding. There is even a pre-wedding.
The pre-wedding are usually used to increase the level of excitement between the two families. During the pre-wedding there are a few main parts. First the religious head first has to get permission/approval from the Almighty God, this is called Istikhara. After his consent then the mother of the groom visits the house of the bride and brings sweets and Imam-Zamin. Imam Zamin is a gold or silver coin wrapped in silken cloth. The bride ties the coin to the upper part of her hand and this completes the Imam Zamin ceremony. Soon after Istikhara and the Imam Zamin ceremony comes’ the Magni. Magni is when the groom and his family visit the brides’ house and both families of the groom and bride exchange sweets and fruits. After wards there is a ceremony called Manjha. The bride wears yellow clothes and a family member put turmeric all over her body. This is suppose to give the bride a natural glow. After the turmeric is applied onto the bride, she cannot step out of the house. Then after, a relative or sometimes a professional will apply Mendhi to the brides’ hands and feet.
Now come s the rituals. One of them is called Baraat. This is where the groom comes in. They announce his arrival at the front of the brides’ house, or a venue of some sort. All the musicians play traditional songs and the brides’ sisters often attempt to play pranks on the guests: occasionally hitting them with flower batons. Nikaah is another ceremony. Which is usually held at either the groom or the brides home. There is the families and close friends, a priest. The priest then reads a few verses from the Quran and then the proposal and acceptance take place. On the wedding day the elder members of the