Muslim Marriage around the World

The Muslim population is estimated to be 1.6 to 1.8 billion in 2007. That’s around 24% of the population of the world. As with most cultures and religions, Muslim marriage remains an important social element, even though for some, living together seems more practical.

Two purposes of marriage

To Muslims, marriage is a vital factor in maintaining family harmony and promoting the teachings and philosophies of Islam. Muslims believe that there are two main purposes of marriage. The first is to ensure the preservation of the human species as well as the perpetuation of the human race. The other is to provide the family with a legal and spiritual foundation.

Sexual relations

Islam considers sex to be a natural and good part of life. However, sex is restricted to the partners of marriage because in this way, the two people will bear responsibility for the consequences. Islam actually discourages celibacy and encourages matrimony. Muslim marriage provides women with support and protection and delivers companionship to husband and wife.

In predominantly Muslim countries, there are differences in the way marriages are conducted and celebrated. While each retains the compulsory Islamic acts that validate a marriage, some feature other practices that are peculiar to their immediate cultures.

Egypt

Influenced by Greek and Roman as well as Islamic peoples, Egyptian couples are able to become acquainted with each other before the nuptials. The families also congregate regularly to socialize and learn of each other’s ways.

A Muslim marriage takes place after the man approaches his intended bride’s parents for their approval. A sum of money called Mahr is paid to the woman’s family to assist them in putting together a kind of dowry consisting of furniture and other household items. He also gives her a gift of jewelry, called Shabka.

Upon the woman’s family’s approval, an engagement date is set and a party is held. Preparations for the couple’s marital home get underway and once it is ready, a date is set for the wedding party. On the eve of the wedding, the Henna Night is held. The Muslim marriage in Egypt culminates in a sunset party where everyone is dressed in their best clothing and jewelry.

UAE (United Arab Emirates)

Once the wedding date is set, the bride can begin her wedding preparations. For a Muslim marriage in the UAE, the bride is the center of attention and her planning can be very time consuming because of her elaborate traditions. She is royally pampered all over with luxurious perfumes and oils and can only be seen for a forty-day period by her family members because she must remain at home before the big day, to rest.

The week leading up to a Muslim marriage is full of constant, joyous singing and dancing with traditional music filling the air. On the night of the henna – Laylat al Henna – the bride’s hands and feet are intricately decorated and only women are allowed to be present. This takes place a couple of days before the wedding. Men and women celebrate separately.

India and Pakistan

Here, a Muslim marriage takes place over three whole days, celebrating the various customs and traditions. The bride and groom’s hands are decorated with henna at the Mehndi, which sometimes lasts for two days and is a joyous occasion of song and dance.

The official paperwork for a Muslim marriage is signed in front of an Imam at the bride’s side and this ceremony is called a Shadi. Once the papers are signed, amid religious traditions, the couple are announced as husband and wife. A feast follows where guests enjoy a banquet of special dishes.

In Singapore and Malaysia, the usual Muslim marriage traditions are observed but sometimes the celebrations are less solemn and more lighthearted, in keeping with the more progressive society.

Wherever a Muslim marriage occurs, however, tradition and ceremony are as important as in that of any other religion. Though the union may be arranged by families, Muslim couples focus their attentions on raising a family and paying heed to their religious observances.