Muslim Weddings Combine Faith, Tradition, and Personal Style

By Saadia Kibriya, Kismet Event Planning & Design, Fullerton, Calif.Who are Muslims? They are people who believe and submit to Islam, a religion revealed by the prophet Muhammad. Around the globe, Muslims range from African Americans to people of European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and even South American descent. In 2009, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported that 23 percent, or 1.57 billion, of the world’s population was Muslim. Today, there are approximately 2.6 million Muslim Americans in the U.S. alone. And, as with any growing demographic, they are getting married every day. Islamic marriage is a union 
and contractIslamic marriage ceremonies consist of a religious union and marriage contract signed before witnesses and Allah (Arabic for “God”). Often called the Nikkah or Kitaab, these ceremonies involve a Muslim elder or leader, often a Sheikh or Imam, officiating the marriage; two witnesses; the couple who wish to be married; and the bride’s legal guardian. The bride and groom must express that they wish to marry each other of their own free will so that the Imam may officiate the union.Dowry—for the bride—requiredIt is also required that the groom presents his bride with a gift, either at the time of the ceremony or later. This dowry is a token of the groom’s love and assurance to his soon-to-be wife. It may be a gift of any monetary amount, property, or an object of value. The dowry becomes the sole possession of the bride, and she may use it as she pleases.Once all of these aspects are present, the ceremony may commence. An Islamic marriage ceremony is essentially quite simple and basic. An opening prayer is usually offered, as well as praise to Allah. The couple, two witnesses, and the legal guardian of the bride then sign the marriage contract. A Nikkah that is easy and not financially burdensome is preferred in Islam. It may take place in a mosque, or at any other location, and is usually followed with a celebration. Both ceremony and celebration are dependent upon both families’ heritage and customs. As a religion of versatility, Islam leaves a great deal of room for the merging of cultures—welcoming these fusions so long as they comply with religious principles. In the U.S., many Muslim weddings infuse Islamic fundamentals with western traditions, such as a bride walking into the ceremony with her father.In the end, what all Muslim weddings hold in common is the religious thread of their faith combined with the unique style and customs of the bride and groom and their families.