Know About the Customs and Traditions of a Pakistani Muslim Wedding

Islam is the world’s second largest religion in the world. Pakistan is a large Muslim country situated in the South of Asian continent. Marriage, has a a lot of importance in Islam. Like the other communities, Pakistani muslims celebrate weddings in a enthusiastic way.

 Most of the marriages are arranged in Pakistan. The process of matrimony starts with the parents of the bride and groom asking around for the suitable proposals in the family. Though there are some families who do not want to marry in their relatives. Proposal matchmaking becomes difficult for them. For this reason, many marriage beuros like Marriage bureau in Islamabad have opened up in the country. The marriage bureaus have also taken their matrimony services online via muslim matrimonial sites.

The wedding day is called Baraat in the local language. The marriage contract is known as Nikah in the local language and is officiated by Nikah Khawan, the Islamic judge. Both the groom and bride must be willing to marry each other and show their consent. After the Nikah ceremony in which the Judge asks both the bride and groom to accept each other, they need to sign the papers, the marriage agreement, known as nikah nama in the local language. Sweets in small packet are circulated after the Nikah followed by a grand feast. Other customs such as doodh pilai and Joota chupai are also performed on the day of Baraat by the friends and cousins of the bride.

All the close and extended relatives attend the marriage function. The ladies are dressed in chiffon and silk, whereas the gents are dressed in a suit piece. The wedding ceremony of the Baraat day ends with the farewell of bride from her parents’ home. The ceremony is called rukhsati in the local language.

Baraat is followed by Valima, which is hosted by the groom in honor of the bride. Valima is the same as the baraat day except that there are no traditions and rituals practised on the day.

Muslims men are allowed to marry Christian and Jews, whereas the women can only marry a muslim. Though the communities do not approve such marriages, it is allowed in Islam if both the families agree on the union of their children as bride and groom.