Islam customs and traditions

1. Islam customs and traditions Done by: May Samantha Wen Ting

2. WEDDINGS Mehndi or Henna has a great significance. The brides are decorated both on the bride's hands and feet. In some countries, the bride has a ceremonial bath before the wedding and decorated with henna and expensive jewelry.

3. WEDDINGS Most weddings in Islamic and Arab cultures could become very expensive affairs. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of guests are not unheard of. 22K gold that includes bracelets, ear rings, and jewelry for the head (worn over the wedding shawl) is quite common.

4. WEDDINGS Families that are more conservative Islamically usually avoid such lavish weddings as it is considered an unnecessary expense. More prefer instead to pay the amount to the bride and the groom to help them start their family.

5. WEDDINGS - Case Study Indonesia, Bugis weddings:The intercedent may be accompanied by other representatives of the groom to make the formal marriage proposal. This proposal will take place at a ceremony where refreshments will be served. Giving of gifts is an important aspect of this ceremony, with the bride's family receiving gifts from that of the groom. A bride with a higher social status means that the groom's family has to ask what gifts are preferred, while equal rank means that the groom's family may give whatever gifts they choose.

6. WEDDINGS - Case Study While each tribe of Indonesia has its own wedding customs, there are several aspects of Indonesian wedding ceremonies that are similar to each ethnicity. Similarities: Indonesian weddings are large. Everyone remotely associated with the couple are invited. Attendance is mandatory, if the guest wishes not to offend the hosts. Receptions are raucous affairs, with dancing, many dishes of food, and elaborate dresses.

7. WEDDINGS - Case Study Some differences Among the Bugis, the marriage ceremony is known as the nikah. The groom’s mother and father do not attend this ceremony, which is conducted by an imam. In Northern Sumatra, the bride’s party recites poetry to welcome the groom to the bride’s home, where the ceremony is performed. On Bali, groom wears a sword during the wedding. On Java, the bride and groom both sit on the lap of the father of the bride, one on each leg. The father states that both of the individuals weigh the same; this symbolizes that the couple are equal as individuals in the eyes of their family.

8. Family Ties While nearly every religion has emphasized good family relations, Islam has taken it to unprecedented heights. It is a duty to be discharged without an eye for reciprocity. A Muslim is required to be kind even to his non-Muslim relatives. Similarly he is required to be kind to even those relatives who are harsh to him.

9. Family ties This respect of the elders is something very important in the social life where children recognize and respect their parents during the whole life. "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain the bonds of kinship" [Bukhari] “Allah’s mercy will not descend on people among whom there is one who severs ties of kinship.” [Baihaqi, Shuab Al-Iman]

10. Family ties Maintaining the bonds of kinship (silatur-rahim) indeed enjoys extraordinary importance in Islam. Conversely, severing the ties (qata-ur-rahim), is very high on the list of enormities. At two places in the Qur’an, Allah has cursed the one severing family ties. Silatur-rahim has been defined as politeness, kind treatment, and concern for all one’s relatives even if distantly related, corrupt, non-Muslim, or unappreciative. [Shaikh Abdul Wakil Durubi in Reliance of the Traveller].

11. Family ties A cursed person is one who is deprived of the mercy of Allah. It is an indication of this deprivation that this sin is punished in this world as well as in the Hereafter. “There is no sin more deserving of having punishment meted out by Allah to its perpetrator in advance in this world along with what He stores up for him in the next world than oppression and severing ties of family.” [Tirmidhi].

12. Social etiquette Dining: 1.  Start eating with the name of Allah (Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem) and conclude with praising and thanking Allah (Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil-Aalameen). Eat from the nearest side of the dish to you and use your right hand, because the left hand is generally used for cleaning dirt.

13. Social Etiquette Never complain or disapprove of food whatsoever. Avoid eating or drinking to excess in the light of the Qur’anic words Never breath or blow into vessels. If you are invited to a meal and you take somebody with you, you should seek permission for him.

14. Social Etiquette Greeting: Islam has encouraged the custom of greetings among the members of Society because it leads to love and friendship. Conversation: Listen to the speaker without interrupting him until he finishes talking. Cheer up and speak pleasantly.

15. Bibliography http://www.wefound.org/texts/Islam_files/IslamEtiquettes.htm http://islamonline.com/news/newsfull.php?newid=747 : http://www.albalagh.net/food_for_thought/0002.shtml