1.1 Marriage in Arabic culture

The Henna Night

The henna ceremony has great significance in the Arabian weddings. Henna fairly famous in Arabian Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman) During this ceremony all the female members of the bride’s and groom’s family meet in the home of the bride and decorate her hands and feet with henna and all women get decorated too, by one or two day before wadding ceremony.

Wedding ceremony

The wedding reception is, of course, what all of this has been leading to, and there are a lot of different customs for this event.  For Example, Arabian Gulf countries have separated wedding halls one for men and another one for women. Both groom and bride families invite friends and relatives to enjoy the wedding dancing and dinner feast and some families have a wadding cake too. However, most families share the same wedding hall in Middle East.

1.0 Marriage in Arabic culture

There are different cultures throughout the Middle East all different customs and traditions for marriage, but there are some parts that are commonly known among them. Islam as a religion has effects people lives in different ways including marriage customs and rituals. Whatever the actual ceremonies and celebrations are, though, a wedding is an exciting time, and a lot of these traditions have been a main part of the Arabic culture for a very long time. There are often multiple celebrations leading up to the actual wedding ceremony. There is the engagement celebration. Then there is the party after the marriage contract is signed, and all of this happens before Henna night.

Arranged Marriages

In the Arabic world Arranged marriages are still quite common. These are not forced marriages, as is sometimes for many Western people, but a marriage that is arranged by the parents in which the man and women give their willing of agreement. Men and women who are ready to get married may meet their future spouse through family or friends. Since, generally, Muslims do not “date” in the popular Western cultural sense, many couples look to arrange marriages as a means to married bliss.

Engagement in the Arabian Culture

Engagement takes place in the home of the bride or at some agreed location, and in the presence of elders. The families of the man and women announce engagement of the couple to all the invited relatives and friends. The bride and groom are dressed in similar colors and they exchange rings. Engagement period differentiate from region to region in Middle East, it could be a month or two years, basically it depends on the agreement between groom and bride families. Later on wedding ceremony take place.

The Purpose of Marriage in Islam

As a meaningful institution, marriage has two main purposes:

Marriage perspective in Islam

In Islam, marriage is a social and legal relationship intended to strengthen and extend family relationships. Like anything a Muslim does, marriage should only be undertaken after gaining an understanding of all that Allah has prescribed in terms of rights and obligations as well as gaining an understanding of the wisdom behind this institution.  Muslims take it very seriously the decision of whom to marry. When it's time for a final decision, Muslims seek guidance from Allah and advice from other knowledgeable people. Islamic laws permit men to marry up to four women and to maintain all his four wives if his financial and economic circumstances permit him to do so. Therefore,  men not allowed marrying another woman if he can’t maintain her needs.

There are requirements must be obtained to legalize marriage by Islamic laws, Mahr and Witnesses.

Mahr– This word is often translated as “dowry” but is better expressed as “bridal gift.” The bride has a right to receive a gift from the groom, which remains her own property as security in the marriage. The gift is payable directly to the bride and remains her sole property, even in case of later divorce.

Witnesses – Two adult witnesses are required to verify the marriage contract. Then marriage contract takes place as in the proceeding step.

          Marriage contract (Nikah) – Nikah is an Arabic term used for marriage. In Islam, marriage is considered both a social agreement and a legal contract. Both the groom and the bride must consent to the marriage, verbally and in writing. This is done through a formal proposal of marriage (ijab) and acceptance of the proposal (qabul).