Islamic Marital Practices

Islamic marital or ''nikah'' practices are traditions and practices that relate to wedding ceremonies and marriage rituals in the Muslim world. Muslims are guided by Islamic laws and practices specified in the Quran, but Islamic marriage customs and relations vary by country of origin and government regulations.

Islam encourages early marriage, not preceded by dating between the prospective bride and groom, as Islamic law places "strict conditions on interactions" between the opposite sexes. Consequently, mainstream Islamic marriages tend to be "family affairs" where parents and other older relatives are involved in match making. Islamic marital jurisprudence allows Muslim men to be married to multiple women (a maximum of four at one time).

Marriage customs

While there can be differences in marriage practices among Muslims, there are several steps to a marriage shared in the religion -- ''khitbah, nikah, rukhsati and walimah''.

Young Muslim women and men are strongly encouraged to marry as soon as possible, since the family is considered the foundation of Islamic society, and fornication is forbidden.
At the same time, Islamic law disapproves of interactions between marriageable males and females (specifically dating). Consequently it is often, if not always, the partners’ families that arrange for suitable partner for their child, then introduces them to each other (though consent to marry their partner must given by the bride or groom). This way, (in theory) the union is about compatibility rather than infatuation or sexual desire.

Some important characteristics in choosing a worthy mate are faith and chastity. These traits are pointed out in the Quran:
* "For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward".
The amount of choice and acceptance involved in choosing marriage partners often depends on the class and educational status of the family when it comes to society.

Khitbah

The first official step in marriage is the (), where the two parties are essentially in a "''talking stage"'' getting to know and vet each other. Typically the proposal is initiated from one interested side at first, but it may also occur through matchmaking from a batch of singles of marriageable age. The two potentials may see each other's faces in person, but are prohibited from touching each other. It is highly recommended that they talk to each other in the presence of parents nearby. Additionally, women who wear niqab are permitted to unveil in order for the suitor to see her face.

Since this is only a talking stage, it is understood and expected that it may not be a good fit, thus one party may decide to cut the connection on good terms. Typically, during this point they will check if they are compatible with each other, and if their life plans generally fit. They may choose to include pre-marital counselling to see if their values match.

If both parties agree to continue moving things along, they will then enter the committed stage, somewhat akin to the ''"''engagement''" stage'' of the Khitbah. They will be now committed, albeit unofficially. Since there is no term for engagement in Islam, they are not considered fiancés to each other and may go under different names depending on the region. For example, in Urdu-speaking populations, they are called ''rishta'' (potential marriage proposal).

While they are still prohibited from meeting privately and from touching, their families may meet together to begin planning all the following steps and other formalities.

There are different traditions for ''khitbah'' in different Islamic societies:

*Arab cultures emphasize the familial approval involved in ''khitbah'' which may involve elaborate ceremonies.
*South Asian Islamic cultures often emphasizes social and familial alliance including an exchange of gifts and jewelry;
*Southeast Asian cultures sometimes integrating local customs and traditions highlighting a more communal engagement.

Preparation for Nikah

Both the bride and groom must agree to the marriage freely. The Quran instructs us:
* “O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion.” (Q.4:19)

Mahr, dowry and gifts

The Mahr signifies respect toward the bride. A fair and reasonable Mahr that both parties are satisfied with should be agreed upon beforehand. The Quran states:
* “And give the women upon marriage their dowries graciously.” (Q.4:4)

(''donatio propter nuptias'') differs from a marriage dowry or gift, in that it is mandatory for a Muslim marriage and is paid by the groom to the bride. The amount of money or possessions of the is paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage for her exclusive use. If the marriage contract fails to contain an exact, specified mahr, the husband must still pay the wife a judicially determined sum. Mahr functions similar to bride wealth.

Arranging for Witnesses

Two adult male Muslims are required to witness the Nikah ceremony. A sahih hadith quotes Muhammad as saying:
* “There is no Nikah without a wali (guardian) and two witnesses.” (Sunan Abu Dawood)

Headgear

Out of tradition, Muslim grooms opt to wear the ''Imama'' turban at the wedding ceremony. While the '' Pheta'' headwear is common in South Asia, Salafi and western scholars advise against it due to its non-Islamic connotations, and to instead wear the Arabic ''Imama''.

Wedding/Nikah

After monetary concerns have been addressed, the second and most important stage of the marriage, where the two parties become husband and wife, is the ''nikah''. The official Nikah ceremony usually has two aspects generally, a verbal (agreeing) and written aspect (signing the marriage contract).

The nikah ceremony requires the groom, the bride, one male relative of the bride, which is called the ''wali'', two Muslim witnesses, and someone to officiate the process. The person officiating is usually an Imam but the location is more likely to be a private home or office of a judge (''qadi'') than a mosque.
The wali will ask for the bride’s consent and subsequently for the groom’s commitment, before officially announcing the marriage.

The verbal aspect involves both the bride and groom responding "Qubool" (meaning "I accept") 3 times, (though these particular words are a custom and only indication of agreement is necessary according to fiqh). The written aspect directly after involves signing a marriage contract. From this point on, they are a married couple. Following the acceptance of the nikah and the witnessing of it, those present recite the fatihah (the opening surah of the Quran).

Khutbah

The main body of the wedding sermon comprises three verses from the Holy Qur’an and one Hadith. This recitation is called '' Khutbat Al-Haajah'' ("The Sermon for Necessities") and is most often recited at the beginning of a khutbah, but is used for a variety of reasons. The three verses are , , and . The Imam then quotes the Hadith:
*Praise be to Allah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger ( Sunan An Nisaa'i)

Announcement

Knowledge of the nikah is often publicized to the community through gatherings or public statements, as a secret marriage may lead to confusion, disputes, and "undermine the integrity of the relationship"; while an announcement reinforces the commitment and allows the community to recognize the couple’s new status.

Some Muslim couples have adopted the practice of wearing wedding rings, though they should not adopt any superstitious beliefs that the rings will create a special bond.

Offer Du’a and Seek Blessings

After the Nikah is concluded, a '' Du’a'' is recited to ask for a blessing of the marriage, following the advise of this hadith of Muhammad:
* “When one of you marries, let him say: ‘May Allah bless you and unite you in goodness.'” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Zifaf

The third step is the ''Zifaf'', or sending off. The two spouses then spend time together alone, typically (but not necessarily) leading to consummation. Often, married couples at this stage begin to live with each other or begin to move in.

Walima

The fourth and final step of Islamic marriage is the Walima which functions similar to a wedding reception banquet. It may take place at a banquet hall or other large venue. It is organized and paid for by the groom's side. Some Muslim couples have adopted the foreign practice of having a wedding cake at the Walima.

Requirements, restrictions, forbidden practices

Consent

Forced marriages, where consent has not been given by the bride or groom, or is given only under excessive pressure, are not allowed in Islam.

Polygamy

In Islam, a man is allowed up to four wives at a time (polygyny) with certain restrictions. The Quran states:
* "...Marry of the women that you please: two, three, or four. But if you feel that you should not be able to deal justly, then only one or what your right hand possesses. That would be more suitable to prevent you from doing injustice." (Q.).
A wife is allowed no more than one husband (polyandry is forbidden).

Since the 20th century, changing economic conditions, female empowerment, and acceptance of family planning practices, have led to the decline in polygynous marriages within the Muslim world. (Turkey and Tunisia who have completely outlawed it). Nonetheless, it is still legal in over 150 countries in Africa, Middle East, and most countries in the developing world, including a group of countries in West and Central sub-Saharan Africa, sometimes referred to as the “polygamy belt”.In the two most polygynous countries in that region -- Nigeria and Burkina Faso -- as of 2019 40% of the Muslim population lives in polygynous households.

Interfaith marriage

Islamic law "generally" forbids Muslim women from marrying non-Muslim men, but allows Muslim men to marry Christian or Jewish women "under specific conditions". The justification often given for this restriction is the need to preserve Islamic values and to avoid any conflicts that might arise from different religious obligations within a marriage.

Two verses of the Quran that address the issue of interfaith marriage are that permits Muslim men to marry chaste believing women "who have been given the Book" (Christian or Jewish), and which forbids "unbelieving women".

However, in the 21st century marriages between Muslim women and non-Muslim men have become "more and more" frequent in various parts of the world -- for example, in the United States, about 10% of Muslim women are married to Non-Muslim men. This has met with "varying degrees" of acceptance, but a considerable amount of opposition from the majority of Orthodox Islamic scholars and interpreters, such as Hassan Al-Turabi.

No marriage to ''mahram''

Quranic verse 4:23 gives a list of relatives Muslims are forbidden to marry, a class of people known as Mahram (family members with whom marriage is permanently unlawful or (''haram''):
Also forbidden to marry is anyone of the same sex, anyone who has had the same wetnurse feed them, anyone who is a polytheist. Not forbidden are cousins, including first cousins who are not Mahram.

Separation of the sexes

At least among strict Muslims, unnecessary direct conversation between prospective bride and groom before the Nikah is forbidden as it would be between any other two non-mahram (i.e. non-family members). Negotiation and proposals of marriage should be done through parents or guardians. Also prohibited is kissing before the Nikah -- nowithstanding its prominent place in non-Muslim marriages.

''Mut'a, misyar, 'urfi'' marriages

In addition to the traditional marriages there are some Islamic marriages that lack some of the customary requirements.

A fixed-term marriagePohl, F
"Muslim world: modern Muslim societies"
Marshall Cavendish, 2010. , 1780761479277. pp. 47–53. known as ("temporary marriage"), is a private and verbal temporary marriage contract that is practiced only in Twelver Shia Islam in which the duration of the marriage and the ''mahr'' must be specified and agreed upon in advance.Esposito J
"The Oxford Dictionary of Islam."
Oxford University Press, 2003 , p.221 , Accessed 15 March 2014.Berg H
"Method and theory in the study of Islamic origins"
Brill 2003 . Accessed at Google Books 15 March 2014. pp. 167-171,176Hughes T
''A Dictionary of Islam''
Asian Educational Services 1 December 1995. Accessed 15 April 2014.''Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic: a compact version of the internationally recognized fourth edition''
Ed. JM Cowan. New York: Spoken Language Services, Inc., 1994. Print.

There is also Nikah Misyar, a non-temporary marriage without some conditions such as living together, permitted by some Sunni scholars. Most misyar brides don't change their residences but pursue marriage on a visitation basis. Because the practice relieves the misyar husband of the obligation to support his wife, it is often used in some Islamic countries by men who cannot afford an orthodox marriage, and/or wish to give a legal recognition to behavior that might otherwise be considered adulterous.

Nikah 'urfi is a "customary" marriage contract that commonly requires a Wali (Islamic legal guardian) and witnesses but not official registration with state authorities. Couples repeat the words, "We got married" and pledge commitment, although there are many other informal ways in which people marry '''urfi''. Usually a paper, stating that the two are married, is written and at least two witnesses sign it, although others may record their commitment on a cassette tape and use other forms of documentation.

Islamic matchmaking practices and community programs

In Muslim-majority countries there are Islamic institutions and imams, communities of families, friends, and services to help Muslim men and women find socially acceptable partners within the framework of Islamic traditions (no dating, early marriage, etc.).

Matchmaking or finding a Muslim spouse in countries where Muslim are a minority is more problematic, but Islamic institutions (at least in the U.S. and Canada), and internet matchmaking sites
provide assistance.
The imam is also a valued source of guidance for individuals who value religious piety in a partner and do not have a Muslim social network.

Diversity by country/region

Considering that there are over 2 billions Muslims in the Muslim world, there is no single way for all Muslim weddings to be held. There are 49 Muslim majority countries and each contains many regional and cultural differences. Additionally, many Muslims living in the West then mix family traditions with their host countries.
Muslim Weddings
PerfectMuslimWedding.com

United States

Muslims in the United States come from many backgrounds, but the largest segment are those from South Asia, Arab countries, and more recently from East Africa. When it comes to Muslim weddings the culture they come from heavily influences the kind of rituals that will take place. Similarly American-Muslims e.g. African-Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics and others have elements of both local, and Muslim influence.
The central event in all American-Muslim Weddings will be the Nikah. This is the actual wedding ceremony, usually officiated by a Muslim cleric, an Imam. Although a Nikah can be done anywhere including the bride's home or reception hall, it is preferable and usually done in a mosque.

A Muslim Wedding Survey of North American Muslims, revealed among other things the merger of two or more cultures. For example, the two most popular wedding dress colors are red and white. Whereas in traditional Muslim countries marriages have been arranged, in the United States, 57.75% of weddings are through friends, online or people the person has met at work.

China

Prominent Muslims in China, such as generals, followed standard marriage practices in the 20th century, such as using western clothing like white wedding dresses.

Chinese Muslim marriages resemble typical Chinese marriages except traditional Chinese religious rituals are not used.

Xinjiang

In March 2017, Salamet Memetimin, an ethnic Uyghur and the Communist Party secretary for Chaka township's Bekchan village in Qira County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, China, was relieved of her duties for taking her nikah marriage vows at her home. In interviews with ''Radio Free Asia'' in 2020, residents and officials of Shufu County (Kona Sheher), Kashgar Prefecture (Kashi) stated that it was no longer possible to perform traditional Uyghur nikah marriage rites in the country.

Indian subcontinent

Muslims in the Indian subcontinent normally follow marriage customs that are similar to those practiced by Muslims of the Middle East, which are based on Islamic convention. These Islamic traditions were first handed down to medieval Indians by propagators of the Islamic religion that involved sultans and Moghul rulers at the time. The blueprint is the same as the Middle-Eastern ''Nikah'', a pattern seen in marriage ceremonies of Sunnis. Traditional Muslim Indian wedding celebrations typically last for three days.Three Days of a Traditional Indian Muslim Wedding
zawaj.com Prior to the observance of the wedding ceremony proper, two separate pre-wedding rituals, which involve traditional dancing and singing, occurs in two places: at the groom's house and at the bride's home.
zawaj.com

On the eve of the wedding day, a bridal service known as the ''Mehndi'' ritual or henna ceremony is held at the bride's home. This ritual is sometimes done two days before the actual wedding day. During this bridal preparation ritual, turmeric paste is placed on the bride's skin for the purpose of improving and brightening her complexion, after which mehndi is applied on the bride's hands and feet by the ''mehndiwali'', a female relative. Due to its similarities to the Hindu Graha Shanti / Pithi, scholars recommend avoiding the turmeric ceremony and just to apply Mehndi.

Now long abandoned, anointing the teeth with a powder called 'missī' in order to blacken them used to be part of Islamic wedding rituals in India.

The wedding ceremony, known as ''Nikah'', is officiated by the '' Maulvi'', a priest also called '' Qazi''. Among the important wedding participants are the '' Walises'', or the fathers of both groom and bride. and the bride's legal representative. It is the bride's father who promises his daughter's hand to the groom, a ritual known as the ''Kanya-dhan''. Also in this formal occasion, particularly in conventional Islamic weddings, when men and women typically have separate seating arrangements. Another common practice are wedding sequences that include the reading of Quranic verses, the groom's proposal and bride's acceptance parts known as the ''Ijab-e-Qubul'' or the ''ijab'' and ''qabul''; the decision-making of the bride's and groom's families regarding the price of the matrimonial financial endowment known as the '' Mehar'' or '' Mehr'' (a dower no less than ten dirhams), which will come from the family of bridegroom. Blessings and prayers are then given by older women and other guests to the couple. In return the groom gives salutatory '' salaam'' wishes to his blessers, especially to female elders. The bride also usually receives gifts known generally as the ''burri'', which may be in the form of gold jewelries, garments, money, and the like.

The marriage contract is known as the ''Nikaahnama'', and is signed not only by the couple but also by the Walises and the Maulvi.

After the Nikah, the now married couple joins each other to be seated among gender-segregated attendees. The groom is customarily brought first to the women's area in order for him to be able to present gifts to his wife's sister. Although jointly seated, the bride and the groom can only observe one another via mirrors, and a copy of the Quran is placed in between their assigned seats. With their heads sheltered by a '' dupatta'' and while guided by the Maulvi, the couple reads Muslim prayers.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride is brought to the house of her husband, where she is welcomed by her mother-in-law, who holds a copy of the Quran over her head.

The wedding reception hosted by the groom family is known as the ''Valimah'' or the ''Dawat-e-walima''.

As per Muslim Personal Law Sharia Application Act of 1937, which is applicable to all Muslims in India (except in the state of Goa), polygamy is legal: a Muslim man may marry a maximum of four women at a time without divorce and with few conditions. Following are the laws applicable to Muslims in India (except in the state of Goa) regarding matters of marriage, succession, Inheritance etc.

# Muslim Personal Law Sharia Application Act,1937
# The Dissolution Of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939
# Muslim Women's Protection of Rights on Divorce Act,1986

The Malay Archipelago

Malay wedding traditions ( Malay: ''Adat Perkahwinan Melayu''; Jawi script: عادة ڤركهوينن ملايو), such as those that occur in Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, and parts of Indonesia and Thailand, normally include the ''lamaran'' or marriage proposal, the betrothal, the determination of the bridal dowry known as the ''hantaran'' agreed upon by both the parents’ of the groom and the bride (usually done one year before the solemnization of marriage), delivery of gifts and the dowry (''istiadat hantar belanja''), the marriage solemnization (''upacara akad nikah'') at the bride's home or in a mosque, the henna application ritual known as the ''berinai'', the costume changing of the couple known as the ''tukar pakaian'' for photography sessions, followed by wedding reception, a feast-meal for guests (''pesta pernikahan'' or ''resepsi pernikahan'') usually took place in the weekend (Saturday or Sunday), and the ''bersanding'' or the sitting-in-state ceremony when the couple sit in elaborate ''pelaminan'' (wedding throne) at their own home, or in wedding hall during the wedding reception.

Prior to being able to meet his bride, sometimes a ''mak andam'', a “beautician”, or any member of the family of the bride will intercept the groom to delay the joining of the would-be spouses; only after the groom was able to pay a satisfactory “entrance fee” could he finally meet his bride. The wedding ceremony proper is usually held on a weekend, and involves exchanging of gifts, Quranic readings and recitation, and displaying of the couple while within a bridal chamber. While seated at their ''pelaminan'' “wedding throne”, the newly-weds are showered with uncooked rice and petals, objects that signify fertility. The guests of the wedding celebration are typically provided by the couple with gifts known as the ''bunga telur'' (“egg flower”). The gifted eggs are traditionally eggs dyed with red coloring and are placed inside cups or other suitable containers bottomed with glutinous rice. These eggs also symbolize fertility, a marital wish hoping that the couple will bear many offspring. However, these traditional gifts are now sometimes replaced by non-traditional chocolates, jellies, or soaps.

The marriage contract that binds the marital union is called the ''Akad Nikah'', a verbal agreement sealed by a financial sum known as the ''mas kahwin'', and witnessed by three persons. Unlike in the past when the father of the bride customarily acts as the officiant for the ceremonial union, current-day Muslim weddings are now officiated by the ''kadhi'', a marriage official and Shariat (or) Syariah Court religious officer.Said, Rozita Mohd
The Malay Wedding
zawaj.com In Indonesia, Muslim weddings are officiated and led by the ''penghulu'', the official of ''Kantor Urusan Agama'' (KUA or Office of Religious Affairs). The ''Akad Nikah'' might be performed in the Office of Religious Affairs, or the ''penghulu'' is invited to a ceremonial place outside the Religious Affair Office (mosque, bride's house or wedding hall).

The Philippines

Muslim communities in the Philippines include the Tausug and T'boli tribe, a group of people in Jolo, Sulu who practice matrimonial activities based on their own ethnic legislation and the laws of Islam. Their customary and legal matrimony is composed of negotiated arranged marriage (''pagpangasawa''), marriage through the “game of abduction” (''pagsaggau''), and elopement (''pagdakup'').Philippine Muslim (Tausug) Marriages on Jolo Island, Part One: Courtship
zawaj.com Furthermore, although Tausug men may acquire two wives, bigamous or plural marriages are rare.

Tausug matrimonial customs generally include the negotiation and proclamation of the bridewealth (the ''ungsud'') which is a composition of the “valuables for the offspring” or ''dalaham pagapusan'' (in the form of money or an animal that cannot be slaughtered for the marital feast); the "valuables dropped in the ocean" or ''dalaham hug a tawid'', which are intended for the father of the bride; the ''basingan'' which is a payment – in the form of antique gold or silver Spanish or American coins – for the transference of kingship rights toward the ''usba'' or “male side”; the “payment to the treasury” (''sikawin baytal-mal'', a payment to officers of the law and wedding officiants); the wedding musicians and performers; wedding feast costs; and the guiding proverb that says a lad should marry by the time he has already personally farmed for a period of three years. This is the reason why young Tausug males and females typically marry a few years after they reached the stage of puberty.Philippine Muslim (Tausug) Marriages on Jolo Island, Part Two: Arranged Marriages
zawaj.com

Regular arranged Islamic marriages through negotiation are typically according to parental wishes, although sometimes the son will also suggest a woman of his choice. This is the ideal, esteemed, and considered “most proper” in the legal point of view of Tausug culture, despite being a time-consuming and costly practice for the groom. If the parents disagree with their son's choice of a woman to marry, he might decide to resort to a marriage by abducting the woman of his choice, run away, run amuck, or choose to become an outlaw. In relation to this type of marriage, another trait that is considered ideal in Tausug marriage is to wed sons and daughters with first or second cousins, due to the absence of difficulty in negotiating and simplification of land inheritance discussions. However, there is also another way of arranging a Tausug marriage, which is through the establishment of ''maglillah pa maas sing babai'' or by “surrendering to the lady’s parents”, wherein the lad proclaims his intention while at the house of the parents of the woman of his choice; he will not depart until he receives permission to marry. In other circumstances, the lad offers a sum of money to the parents of the lass; a refusal by the father and mother of the woman would mean paying a fine or doubling the price offered by the negotiating man.

“Abduction-game marriages” are characteristically in accord with the grooms’ requests, and are performed either by force or “legal fiction”. This strategy of marrying a woman is actually a “courtship game” that expresses a Tausug man's masculinity and bravery. Although the woman has the right to refuse marrying her “abductor”, reluctance and refusal does not always endure because the man will resort to seducing the “abductee”. In the case of marriages done through the game of abduction, the bridewealth offered is a gesticulation to appease the woman's parents.

Elopements are normally based on the brides’ desires, which may, at times, are made to resemble a “bride kidnapping” situation (i.e. a marriage through the game of abduction) in order to prevent dishonoring the woman who wished to be eloped. One way of eloping is known to the Tausugs as ''muuy magbana'' or the "homecoming to get hold of a husband", wherein a Tausug woman offers herself to the man of her choice or to the parents of the man who she wants to become her spouse. Elopement is also a strategy used by female Tausugs in order to be able to enter into a second marriage, or done by an older unwed lady by seducing a man who is younger than her.Philippine Muslim (Tausug) Marriages on Jolo Island, Part Three: Abduction and Elopement
zawaj.com

During the engagement period, the man may render service to his bride's parents in the form of performing household chores.Philippine Muslim (Tausug) Marriages on Jolo Island, Part Four: Weddings and Divorces
zawaj.com After the period of engagement has lapsed, the marital-union ceremony is observed by feastings, delivery of the whole bridewealth, slaughtering of a carabao or a cow, playing gongs and native xylophones, reciting prayers in the Arabic and Tausug languages, symbolic touching by the groom of his bride's forehead, and the couple's emotionless sitting-together ritual. In some instances when a groom is marrying a young bride, the engagement period may last longer until the Tausug lass has reached the right age to marry; or the matrimonial ceremony may proceed – a wedding the Tausug termed as “to marry in a handkerchief” or ''kawin ha saputangan'' – because the newly-wed man can live after marriage at the home of his parents-in-law but cannot have marital sex with his wife until she reaches the legal age.

Tausug culture also allows the practice of divorce.

There are also other courtship, marriage, and wedding customs in the Philippines.

United Arab Emirates

Generally, wedding ceremonies in the United Arab Emirates traditionally involves scheduling the wedding date, preparation for the bride and groom, and carousing with dancing and singing which takes place one week or less prior to the wedding night. Bridal preparation is done by women by anointing the body of the bride with oil, application of perfumes to the bride's hair, use of creams, feeding the bride with special dishes, washing the bride's hair with amber and jasmine extracts, use of the Arabian ''Kohl'' or Arabian eye liner, and decorating the hands and feet with henna (a ritual known as the ''Laylat Al Henna'' or “henna night” or "night of henna", and performed a few days before being wed; during this evening, other members of the bride's family and guests also place henna over their own hands). The Emirati bride stays at her dwelling for forty days until the marriage night, only to be visited by her family. Later, the groom offers her items that she will use to create the ''Addahbia'', a dowry which is composed of jewelry, perfumes, and silk, among others.Weddings In The U.A.E.
zawaj.com

In Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, the traditional Bedouin wedding is a ceremonial that echoes the earliest Arab concept of matrimony, which emphasizes that marital union is not simply a joining of a man and a woman but the coming together of two families. Traditionally lasting for seven days, Bedouin marriage preparations and celebration starts with the marriage proposal known as the ''Al Khoutha'', a meeting of the groom's father and bride's father; the purpose of the groom's father is to ask the hand of the bride from the bride's father for marriage; and involves the customary drinking of minty Arab tea. After this, the negotiating families proceed with the ''Al Akhd'', a marriage contract agreement. The bride goes through the ritual of a “ bridal shower” known as ''Laylat Al Henna'', the henna tattooing of the bride's hands and feet, a service signifying attractiveness, fortune, and healthiness. The ''Al Aadaa'' follows, a groom-teasing rite done by the friends of the bride wherein they ask compensation after embellishing the bride with henna. The ceremonial also involves a family procession towards the bride's home, a re-enactment of a war dance known as ''Al Ardha'', and the ''Zaahbaah'' or the displaying of the bride's garments and the gifts she received from her groom's family. In the earliest versions of Bedouin wedding ceremonies, the groom and the bride goes and stays within a tent made of camel hair, and that the bride is not to be viewed in public during the nuptial proceedings. The wedding concludes with the ''Tarwaah'', when the bride rides a camel towards her new home to live with her husband. After a week, the bride will have a reunion with her own family. Customarily, the groom will not be able to join his bride until the formal wedding procedure ended. The only place where they will finally see each other is at their post-wedding dwelling.

Established Bedouin wedding customs also entail the use of hand-embroidered costumes, the dowry, and the bridewealth. Islamic law dictates that the jewelry received by the bride becomes her personal property.What Is Forbidden in Islamic Marriage
: NobleMarriage.com

Gallery

See also

* Marriage in Islam
* Islamic marriage contract
* Islamic marital jurisprudence
* Misyar marriage
* Nikah mut'ah

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