The Importance of Nikahnama in Muslim Matrimony

Muslim Matrimony in India Iollows the Islamic rules and traditions. The Indian Muslims, Shia`
and Sunni` groups have some common marriage ceremonies. Most oI the Muslim weddings in
India have ceremonies lasting Ior three days. The wedding involves dancing and singing, besides
serious rituals. A traditional Muslim Wedding in India involves many pre and post wedding
rituals.
The Muslim wedding customs in India beIore the wedding day include Mehendi ceremony or the
Henna ceremony. This ceremony is organized at the bride`s house on the eve oI the wedding. In
some cases, the bride`s Iamily organizes this ceremony two-three days prior to the wedding day.
In this ceremony mostly the Iemale Iamily members attend. Relatives and Iriends apply a paste
oI turmeric on the bride`s skin Ior a glowing complexion. A proIessional mehendi artist or a
relative oI the bride draws beautiIul henna pattern on the hands and Ieet. This ceremony is a Iun-
Iilled one with women singing traditional songs and young girls dancing. AIter this ceremony,
the bride is expected to not leave the house until the wedding day.
The Indian Muslim Matrimony includes a marriage procession by the groom`s side, known as
Baraat`. The Baraat that includes the groom and Iamily members oI the groom leaves Ior the
bride`s house on the evening oI the wedding day. On the arrival oI the groom at the wedding
venue, the brother oI the bride welcomes him with a glass oI sherbet. The bride`s sisters play
pranks on the guests and hit them with Ilower-Iilled cudgels.
The Muslim wedding ceremony known as Nikah is oIIiciated by Muslim priest called Maulvi or
Qazi. The Iather oI the bride and groom are important participants in the Nikaah and are known
as Walis`. In traditional Muslim matrimony, the women and men sit separately divided by a
curtain. The priest or the maulvi recites verses Irom the Islamic holy book Quran`. This is
Iollowed by the customary ceremony Ijab-e-Qubul, which is the proposal by the groom and
acceptance by the bride. This mutual consent by the groom and bride is a very important part oI
the Muslim wedding. Another important aspect oI the Nikaah is the marriage contract signing or
the Nikahnama`. To make the marriage legal, signing the contract is must Ior the groom and the
bride. It also requires the signature oI the walis` in presence oI the maulvi. The contract also
mentions the amount oI mehr` or dowry, which is Irom the groom`s Iamily to the bride. In the
end oI the Nikaah`, the bride receives giIts like garments, money and gold jewelries. The
newlywed gets blessings Irom guests and Iamily members.
Post wedding ceremonies oI the Muslim matrimony also have signiIicant rituals. The Rukshat is
the Iarewell ceremony oI the bride. The bride`s Iather gives the bride`s hands to the groom and
asks him to take care and protect her at all times. A tearIul Iarewell by the bride`s mother and
relatives marks this ceremony. The bride is welcomed in her new Iamily by the mother-in-law.
The Holy book quran` is held above the head oI the bride as she steps in the new house. On the
Iourth day aIter the wedding, the bride visits her parent`s house. This ritual is called the Chauthi.
ood is an important part oI any Muslim Matrimony. AIter the wedding, the bride`s side
organizes a grand Ieast Ior the groom`s side and guests. Lavish spreads oI traditional recipes are
served. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian Iood is cooked and men and women dine separately. The
groom`s side also organizes a reception, known as Valimah. This is a joyous occasion where
relatives, Iriends and bride`s side attend the Iunction.
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