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Islam, the world's second largest religion after Christianity, was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the seventh century AD. It is still the leading faith in the Arab world, as well as in most of the Middle East. Islam is much more than a religion: it also supplies the guiding principles of political and social life.
Muslim marriages can be conducted in different ways, depending on the culture in which they are arranged. The following information refers, in the most part, to the Asian world.
Muslim weddings vary enormously according to the culture of the people involved.
Here, Muslim marriages are generally arranged by the parents, with the bride and groom themselves having 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.
After accepting her offer of marriage, the groom must give the bride a Mahar (gift). 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, and if the couple aren't married by the end of this period, the engagement contract needs to be renewed. 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.
In Islam, it is considered both a religious duty and a social necessity to get married. Thus there is a great emphasis on the religious and social dimensions of the ceremony, which usually lasts about one-and-a-half hours.
The ceremony is generally a well-attended affair, though to make it official, only two male witnesses are required. The wedding always retains a spirit of simplicity, in accordance with the tenets of Islam.
Once you've settled on the ideal date and approximate time you'd like to marry, you need to speak to the Iman of the mosque, or your local cleric. Arrange the Mahar, the gift from husband to wife, which is an important part of the Nikah (wedding ceremony).
There is no marriage license in the Muslim wedding (though the witnesses need to sign a 'proof of Nikah', which testifies that the marriage has taken place and that the bride has given her full consent). Bride and groom will not be asked to fill in any forms, as this is done by the priest.
Any male Muslim who understands the traditions of Islam may perform the wedding ceremony, although many mosques have dedicated marriage officers. In most cases, however, the Qazi -- an elder of the mosque -- will officiate in the service, as he is the most knowledgeable in the community. No female Muslim may officiate in the service.
As a Muslim wedding can take place anywhere and not just in a Mosque, though this is the preferred choice. Tape recordings, videos, photos, flowers and decorations are not allowed in the mosque. If you're opting for a wedding in a hotel or venue other than the mosque, you have more freedom.
The majority of brides favour a traditional white wedding dress, but brides from the Asian subcontinent often favour a shalwar-qameez outfit in scarlet with gold thread, and have their hands and feet patterned with henna.
The groom wears a simple outfit, either traditional or a western-style suit - or a combination of the two.
Guests should not wear any kind of revealing clothes as they are not considered appropriate.
The marriage ceremony itself is called the Nikah.
The bride and groom are separated, either in different parts of the hall, or in different rooms. Guests are traditionally also separated by gender, although in Western cultures they may be mixed.
The marriage party listens to a marriage sermon given by the Muslim officiating at the service. This serves to solemnise the marriage. There are no particular specifications so the marriage ceremony is very much up to the Qazi performing the ritual. Some recite the Fatihah (the first chapter of the Koran) and the blessing or durud.
Traditionally, there is no service sheet, although, in recent years, texts have been supplied.
The marriage documents (contract and certificate) are filed at the mosque and the local government. The ceremony ends with a prayer (Duoa) for the bride and groom, their families, and the Muslim community at large.
You can throw confetti, but it is more traditional to shower the bride with coins, a ritual known as Savaqah.
A marriage banquet, or Walima, follows the ceremony, served to the men and women separately.
After the meal the couple are seated together for the first time, their heads covered by a dupatta and prayers are read.
The bride and groom spend the first night of married life at her house, in separate rooms. In the morning, the groom's father will escort them to their new home and give the bride's hand to her husband, asking him to protect his daughter. This farewell ritual is known as the rukhsat.
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