Franklin Dean
Muslim wedding invitations are as diverse as the many Muslim communities around the world, with variations based on culture and traditions. When writing a Muslim wedding invitation, it is essential to reflect the spirit of the wedding and incorporate cultural and religious elements that align with the couple's beliefs and heritage. The invitation should also include all the necessary information for the guests, such as the date, time, and venue, while also honouring family members and expressing values that define the celebration.
What You'll Learn
What religious language to include
Muslim wedding invitations can include religious language and verses from the Quran or Hadith. The phrase 'In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful' is often written at the top of the invitation card, sometimes in quotes or in italics. This phrase can also be written in the original Arabic as 'Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem'.
> In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful Mr and Mrs X Request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter (bride) to (groom) Son of Mr and Mrs Y (date) (year) (venue) (location)
> In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the Most Merciful Mr and Mrs X Request the honour of your presence at the nikah ceremony of their son (groom) with (bride), Daughter of Mr and Mrs Y Granddaughter of W (date) (year) (venue) (location)
> Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem (bride) and (groom) Request the pleasure of your company at the walima celebration of their marriage along with their parents (bride's parents) and (groom's parents) (date) (venue) (location)
You may also want to include a traditional religious quote from the Quran or Hadith, or from Muslim poets. Here are some popular quotes about love and marriage:
> "And we created you in pairs" (Quran 78:8)
>
> "And it is among His signs that He created for you partners from among yourselves, so that you may find peace in them, and He has created love and kindness between you." (Quran 30:21)
>
> "Exalted is He who created all pairs" (Quran 36:36)
If you include a translation of a religious quote, be sure to consider several translations before choosing the one that best captures the sentiment you wish to convey.
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How to incorporate Muslim values
Muslim wedding invitations are incredibly diverse, with variations based on the many Muslim communities around the world. From South East Asian to Arab, African, and Black communities, as well as Indonesian, Malaysian, and Eastern European communities, each has its own unique customs and traditions. Here are some ways to incorporate Muslim values into your wedding invitation:
Honouring Family Members
The wedding card should be issued in the hosts' names, following the general etiquette of wedding invitations. To emphasise the union of the two families, both sets of parents should be named. You could also include the name of a grandparent or another respected relative you wish to honour.
Religious Language
There are many opportunities to incorporate religious language into your invitation. You may choose to invite guests to the nikah ceremony or the walima celebration, using verses from the Quran or Hadith. Alternatively, you can use the terms 'wedding' and 'wedding reception'. The phrase, 'In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful', is often written at the top of the invitation, in the original Arabic, as 'Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem'. This gives the invitation a traditional and sacred feeling.
Religious Quotes
You may wish to include a traditional religious quote on your invitation. There are many beautiful quotes about love and marriage in the Muslim tradition, from the Quran and Hadiths to the rich traditions of Muslim poets. For example:
> "And we created you in pairs" (Quran 78:8)
> "And it is among His signs that He created for you partners from among yourselves, so that you may find peace in them, and He has created love and kindness between you." (Quran 30:21)
> "Exalted is He who created all pairs" (Quran 36:36)
Design and Visual Traditions
The design of your invitation should reflect the theme and nature of your celebration. Consider incorporating traditional calligraphy of both your names or using patterned designs that reflect your ethnic heritage. Sending miniature scrolls or using dramatic colours like gold, cream, navy, or black can also add a unique touch.
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How to word the invitation
The wording of a Muslim wedding invitation should reflect the spirit of the wedding and can be adapted to suit the different cultures and customs of Muslim communities around the world. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you craft the wording for your invitation:
Host and Timing
The invitation should be issued in the name of the hosts, usually the parents of the couple, to emphasise the union of the two families. It is ideal to name both sets of parents, and some couples may also choose to include the name of a grandparent or another respected relative they wish to honour. The timing of the invitation is important too; it should be selected about six months before the wedding date to ensure the wording is perfect and that any religious phrasing is accurate.
Religious Language
There are many opportunities to incorporate religious language if the couple chooses to do so. Some invitations include verses from the Quran or Hadith, while others may simply use the terms 'wedding' and 'wedding reception'. Invitations often begin with the phrase, 'In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful', which can be written in Arabic, transliterated as 'Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem', or quoted in English. This phrase gives the invitation a traditional and sacred feeling.
Honouring the Couple
The wording should also honour the couple and can be adapted to suit the gender of the couple's child. Here are some examples:
- "At the marriage of their daughter (bride) to (groom), son of Mr and Mrs Y."
- "At the nikah ceremony of their son (groom) with (bride), daughter of Mr and Mrs Y, granddaughter of W."
Location and Date
Be sure to include the date, time, venue, and location of the wedding. If there are multiple ceremonies or cultural traditions, such as a baraat procession, taking place at specific times, note the particular times on the invitation so that guests are fully informed.
Dress Code
If the ceremony is taking place in a mosque, where guests may be expected to cover their shoulders or hair, consider adding this information to the invitation.
Blessings and Quotes
You might want to include a traditional religious quote or blessing on your invitation. There are many quotes about love and marriage in the Muslim tradition, from the Quran and Hadiths to the rich traditions of Muslim poets. Here are some examples:
- "Your presence, prayers, and blessings would greatly enhance the joy of the day and provide our [son/daughter] with heartfelt memories to cherish as they step into a new chapter of their life."
- "We cordially invite you to witness the beautiful journey of our marriage in accordance with the teachings of Islam."
- "Love, care, and mutual respect make the essence of Islamic matrimony. We invite you to join us as our children embark on this blessed journey."
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Design and colour choices
When it comes to design and colour choices for a Muslim wedding invitation, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the invitation should reflect the spirit and theme of the wedding itself. If the wedding will be a formal and elegant affair, simple yet dramatic colours like gold, cream, navy, or black are a good choice. On the other hand, if the wedding will be a traditional, vibrantly decorated celebration, the invitation should match that theme with bright and bold colours.
Another important aspect to consider is incorporating cultural and religious elements into the design. The Muslim world is rich with various visual traditions, and couples may choose to reflect their ethnic heritage in the invitation design. For instance, some couples may opt for traditional calligraphy of their names or patterned designs that symbolise their cultural background. Sending invitations in the form of miniature scrolls is another popular idea.
In addition, the inclusion of religious language and quotes is a significant feature of Muslim wedding invitations. Couples may choose to include verses from the Quran or Hadith, such as "And we created you in pairs" (Quran 78:8) or "And it is among His signs that He created for you partners from among yourselves, so that you may find peace in them, and He has created love and kindness between you" (Quran 30:21). The invitation may also begin with the phrase, "In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful", either in English, Arabic, or as a transliteration ("Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem").
Finally, it is essential to consider the timing when designing the invitations. Couples should aim to select the invitation design about six months before the wedding date to ensure enough time for any necessary revisions and to accurately render any Arabic or religious phrasing.
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What information to include
Muslim wedding invitations can vary depending on the couple's unique Muslim heritage and the specific cultural traditions they wish to incorporate. Here is some information to include when writing a Muslim wedding invitation:
Host and Guest of Honour
The invitation should be issued in the hosts' names, usually the parents of the couple or both sets of parents, to emphasise the union of the two families. It is also common to include the names of grandparents or other respected relatives to honour them.
Religious Language
Couples may choose to incorporate religious language and verses from the Quran or Hadith. Some invitations specifically refer to the wedding as a "nikah ceremony" or "walima celebration", while others use more general terms like "wedding" and "wedding reception".
A common phrase at the top of the invitation is "In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful", which can be written in Arabic ("Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem"), in transliteration, or in English.
Date, Time, and Venue
The invitation should include the date, time, and venue details of the wedding ceremony. If there are multiple events or traditional ceremonies, such as a baraat procession, it is helpful to note the specific times for each.
Dress Code or Attire Guidelines
If the ceremony is taking place in a mosque, it is considerate to inform guests of any dress code requirements, such as covering their shoulders or hair.
Design and Decoration
The design of the invitation should reflect the theme and nature of the wedding celebration. For a formal or elegant affair, consider simple yet dramatic colours like gold, cream, navy, or black. If you're planning a traditional or vibrantly decorated wedding, choose an invitation that matches that theme with colourful patterns or decorations.
Quotes or Verses
You may wish to include a religious quote or verse on the invitation. This could be a popular Quran quote about marriage, such as:
> "And we created you in pairs" (Quran 78:8)
> "And it is among His signs that He created for you mates from among yourselves, so that you may find peace in them, and He has created love and kindness between you" (Quran 30:21)
> "Exalted is He who created all pairs" (Quran 36:36)
Translation of Arabic Verses
If you include Arabic verses or quotes, consider providing a translation to ensure all guests can understand the meaning.
Disposal Instructions
If your guest list includes non-Muslims, consider providing instructions on how to respectfully dispose of the invitation, as it will include the name of Allah and verses from the Quran.
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Frequently asked questions
You can include religious language by inviting guests to the nikah ceremony or the walima celebration and including verses from the Quran or Hadith. You could also include the phrase, "In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful", in English or in Arabic: "Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem".
As with any wedding invitation, you should include the names of the couple, the date, time, and venue details. You may also want to include the names of both sets of parents, as well as any other respected relatives, to emphasise the union of the two families. If your wedding includes traditional ceremonies at specific times, such as the baraat procession, you should also include this information.
The design of your invitation should reflect the theme and nature of your wedding. If your wedding will be formal and elegant, opt for simple, dramatic colours like gold, cream, navy, or black. If your wedding will be traditional and vibrantly decorated, choose an invitation that matches this theme. You may also want to consider incorporating traditional calligraphy or patterned designs that reflect your ethnic heritage.
