Muslim wedding traditions
A Muslim wedding centers on the nikah, a contract between two people with consent, witnesses and a gift to the bride.
A Muslim wedding centers on the nikah, a contract between two people with consent, witnesses and a gift to the bride. The rite itself is short and simple, while the celebrations around it vary enormously by country, language and culture. Much of what is called a Muslim wedding is local custom.
The nikah and the mahr
The nikah requires an offer, an acceptance, two witnesses and the mahr, a gift that belongs to the bride and is stated in the contract. It is conducted by an imam, a qazi or any knowledgeable person, and often includes a short sermon, the khutbah, and a prayer. The couple may add conditions in the nikah nama, such as the right to work, and many do. Schools of law differ on details such as the role of a guardian, and scholars are open about these differences.
Walima and what comes after
The walima is a feast hosted by the groom, based on the example of the Prophet. It may be held a day or more after the nikah. Many families also celebrate a henna night, a procession and a reception, but these are cultural, not required. Some communities keep men and women in separate rooms, others do not.
Cultural diversity
A Moroccan wedding includes the amariya and multiple dresses, an Egyptian one the zaffe, a Pakistani one the mehndi, barat and rukhsati, a Turkish one the kina gecesi, a Malay one the akad nikah and bersanding, and an Indonesian one the siraman, a ritual bath. In Somalia and Sudan other customs hold. In the Gulf a groom's party may cost a great deal, and several governments have capped the amount.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Muslim (faith). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇮🇳 IndiaOppanaഒപ്പന
A circle dance and song tradition of the Mappila Muslim community in Kerala weddingsPerformance · Engagement and betrothal
🇵🇰 Hunza, PakistanMayoon
A pre-wedding seclusion period in Pakistan where the bride stays away from her groom for up to two weeks.Betrothal · The weeks before
🇲🇾 Malaysia and 4 moreBaju Kurungباجو كوروڠ
The traditional blouse and skirt worn by Malay women for weddings and religious ceremoniesAttire · The weeks before
🇹🇭 Thailand and 5 moreBride price
Wealth paid by the groom or his family to the bride or her kin to formalize a union.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal
🇪🇬 EgyptNikah 'urfiنكاح العرفي
An unregistered Islamic contract that allows couples to marry without state recognition or public ceremony.Betrothal · The weeks before
🇮🇳 IndiaIndian wedding clothes
Traditional garments worn by Indian couples and guests across multiple days of celebrationAttire · The weeks before
🇳🇬 Nigeria and 1 moreHausa traditional marriage
The Islamic marriage rites of the Hausa people in Northern Nigeria and Niger.Rite · Finding a match
🇪🇬 Egypt and 5 moreArab weddingزفاف or فرح or عرس
A series of family-centered rites and processions that mark marriage across the Arab world.Rite · Finding a match
🇧🇳 BruneiBrunei Malay wedding
The sequence of ceremonies that mark the engagement and marriage of Brunei Malays.Rite · Finding a match
🇮🇳 IndiaIndian wedding invitationsNimantraṇa patra (निमन्त्रण पत्र)
Decorated cards sent to announce a marriage and invite guests to the celebration.Betrothal · The weeks before
🇮🇷 Iran and 5 moreNikah mut'ahنكاح المتعة
A private contract for a fixed-term marriage practiced in Twelver Shia Islam.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇮🇳 IndiaMehndi
The henna body art applied to brides and guests before a South Asian wedding ceremony.Adornment · The weeks before
🇦🇿 AzerbaijanAzerbaijani wedding traditionsAzərbaycanın toy adətləri
The multi-step family rituals of Azerbaijani weddings, from matchmaking to the henna night.Rite · Finding a match
🇮🇷 Iran and 1 moreIranian weddingمراسم عروسی در ایران
A multi-stage celebration rooted in Zoroastrian tradition and adapted by Islamic customs across Iran.Rite · Finding a match
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Indian wedding invitations: Onef9day, CC BY 3.0, source
- Mehndi: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Azerbaijani wedding traditions: Azim Azimzadeh, Public domain, source
- Iranian wedding: Flickr.com user "avlxyz", CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Indian wedding clothes: Lee Jordan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bride price: Пимоненко Николай Корнилиевич, Public domain, source
- Oppana: Shagil Kannur, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Hausa traditional marriage: Bembety, CC0, source
- Baju Kurung: Ministry of Information official photographer, Public domain, source
- Arab wedding: 13th century artist, Public domain, source
- Mayoon: katorisi, CC BY-SA 3.0, source