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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.

About this page

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.

RegionSouth AsiaSoutheast AsiaEast AsiaCentral Asia and the CaucasusMiddle EastNorth AfricaSub-Saharan AfricaEuropeNorth AmericaLatin America and the CaribbeanOceania
KindRiteVowBetrothalGift customAttireAdornmentPerformanceFeast customBlessingPlayFamily roleSettingModern
StageFinding a matchEngagement and betrothalThe weeks beforeThe eveProcession and arrivalThe ceremonyThe wedding feastReception, dance and giftsAfter the wedding
🇵🇰 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 🇮🇳 IndiaOppanaഒപ്പന A circle dance and song tradition of the Mappila Muslim community in Kerala weddingsPerformance · Engagement and betrothal 🇮🇳 India and 3 moreNikah halalaنکاح حلالہ A second marriage required for a woman to remarry her first husband after triple talaq.Vow · After the wedding 🇮🇳 IndiaGaye holudগায়ে হলুদ The turmeric ceremony that prepares the Bengali bride and groom for marriageRite · The weeks before 🇮🇳 IndiaChild marriage in India A contested practice where minors marry, defined by law as unions involving a bride under 18.Modern · Engagement and betrothal 🇦🇫 AfghanistanAhesta Beroآهسته برو The song played to welcome the bride and groom into the wedding hall in AfghanistanPerformance · Procession and arrival 🇮🇳 IndiaMehndi The henna body art applied to brides and guests before a South Asian wedding ceremony.Adornment · The weeks before 🇮🇳 IndiaIndian wedding clothes Traditional garments worn by Indian couples and guests across multiple days of celebrationAttire · The weeks before 🇮🇳 IndiaArabikalyanam A temporary marriage arrangement between Arabian men and women in Kerala that has been linked to exploitation.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal 🇮🇳 India and 2 moreArranged marriage in the Indian subcontinent The family-led matchmaking process that shapes most marriages across South Asia.Betrothal · Finding a match 🇵🇰 Pakistan and 4 moreWatta sattaوٹّا سٹّا / شغار A reciprocal marriage arrangement where two families swap brides to bind households and manage domestic tensions.Betrothal · Finding a match 🇧🇩 Bangladesh and 1 moreBengali Muslim weddingবাঙালি মুসলিম বিয়ে A multi-day Bengali Muslim marriage blending Islamic rites with local folk traditions.Rite · The weeks before 🇮🇳 Mumbai, India and 3 moreDowry system in Indiaदहेज (Hindi), ज़ेहर (Urdu) The transfer of cash and goods from the bride's family to the groom that has become a source of financial strain and vioGift custom · Engagement and betrothal 🇮🇳 Hyderabad, IndiaKhara dupattaKhada dupatta (Urdu: کھڑا دوپٹہ) The upright stole worn by Hyderabadi Muslim brides as part of their traditional wedding ensemble.Attire · The ceremony 🇮🇳 IndiaIndian wedding invitationsNimantraṇa patra (निमन्त्रण पत्र) Decorated cards sent to announce a marriage and invite guests to the celebration.Betrothal · The weeks before 🇮🇳 India and 5 moreWedding veil A cloth covering the head or face worn by brides and grooms to mark marriage.Attire · The ceremony 🇦🇫 Afghanistan and 1 moreBaad A customary settlement where a girl or woman is handed over to an offended household to close a dispute.Gift custom 🇵🇰 Lahore, Pakistan and 1 morePolygamy in Pakistan The legal allowance for Muslim men to have up to four wives under Pakistani law.Vow · Engagement and betrothal 🇱🇰 Kandy, Sri LankaPolygamy in Sri Lanka The historical and current legal status of multiple marriages under Kandyan and Muslim law.Vow 🇲🇻 MaldivesPolygamy in the Maldives The legal practice allowing men to marry multiple wives under strict financial conditions.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal 🇧🇩 BangladeshPolygamy in Bangladesh The practice of men taking multiple wives, regulated by different laws for Muslims and Hindus.Gift custom · Engagement and betrothal 🇦🇫 Kabul, AfghanistanPolygamy in Afghanistan The practice of Afghan men taking multiple wives under Islamic and civil law.Family role · Engagement and betrothal 🇮🇳 India and 3 moreInter-caste marriage A union between people of different castes, often contested in South Asia.Vow · Engagement and betrothal

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