Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 147: Marriage Rites

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

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Assalamu Alaikum my dear friends!

I am pretty sure you are all well and happy in your lives. Today I am very happy to participate in this beautiful competition. The theme of which is Marriage Rites. First of all, I would like to thank the organizer for organizing this interesting and thought provoking competition.

Marriage is a special and memorable occasion in the life of every person. It is not just a beautiful relationship between two individuals. It is also between two families. In this the foundation of love, respect, responsibility and trust is laid. Every society has its own traditions and rituals. This reflect its culture and identity. In this post, I am sharing my personal opinions, observations and thoughts with all of you according to the questions given. I hope you like this writing of mine.

༻Are there any specific marriage rites that you find particularly beautiful or meaningful, and why?༻

Well In my opinion the most beautiful wedding ceremony is Nikah. It is the moment when two people start a new life with Allah as their witness. All other rituals may be important in their own right, but the simplicity of Nikah and its spiritual significance touches the heart the most. I always like the feeling that a new relationship is established with a few words, a few witnesses and the happiness of both families.

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Apart from this, I also find the farewell ceremony very emotional. At this time, both feelings of happiness and sadness are seen together. On one hand, the parents send their daughter off with prayers and on the other hand, she takes a step towards her new life. When I see or witness the farewell scene at a wedding, I often feel the love and sacrifice of the parents.

In our society, mehndi, dholki and other ceremonies are also part of happiness. These rituals bring family and friends together. It create memorable moments. However, in my opinion, the real beauty is not in these rituals. It is in the love, respect and responsibility that both people have for each other after marriage. If there is trust, sincerity and respect in a relationship. Then every ritual automatically starts to feel beautiful. This is why for me the most meaningful wedding ritual is Nikah. Well it is not just a ceremony. It is a strong promise and the beginning of a new life.

༻How have traditional marriage rites evolved in your community or region over time?༻

If I look at my surroundings. The wedding rituals have changed a lot over time. Earlier, most weddings were simple. The elders of the family used to make decisions, the number of guests was limited, and the ceremonies were short. People focused more on the strength of the relationship, family ties, and prayers.

Now the situation is quite different. Due to social media and modern trends, new styles have been added to weddings. Nowadays, pre-wedding photo shoots, theme decorations, expensive clothes, special entries, and various types of events have become common. Sometimes, people spend money on others that they cannot afford.

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A good change has also come that now many families are trying to reduce unnecessary rituals. Many people prefer simple marriages and try to avoid unnecessary rituals. Educated youth also emphasize that marriage should be easy so that no one is financially burdened.

I think change is natural in every era. Well it is important that we do not forget our original traditions, family values and religious teachings. If simplicity, respect, and love are maintained along with adopting modern styles. Then that will be the best change.

༻How do marriage rites contribute to the social and cultural identity of a community?༻

Wedding rituals bring not only two individuals. Well also two families closer together. This is why every society has its own unique traditions and styles, which highlight its culture and identity. When you get the chance to attend a wedding in a region, the culture of that region can be gauged from the clothes, food, music, customs and hospitality there.

I think wedding ceremonies also increase love, cooperation and brotherhood between people. Family members help each other, relatives come from far and wide and everyone shares happiness together. These moments strengthen relationships and give the new generation an opportunity to learn their traditions.

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If these rituals are lost, our cultural identity can also gradually weaken. Therefore, it is important that we keep our good traditions alive, but also improve the unnecessary or difficult rituals in them over time.

To me, the real beauty of marriage is that it strengthens love, respect, unity and family ties. This is what is the real cultural strength and identity of any society.

༻What are some of the challenges couples face in navigating or fulfilling specific marriage rite expectations today?༻

Nowadays many couples are more worried about the expectations attached to their wedding. Than the actual rituals. The biggest problem is financial pressure. Many families want the wedding to be grand, with expensive clothes, a big party. Every ritual to be performed with full care. All this costs a lot. It sometimes makes the wedding itself a hassle.

Another problem is the different mindset of families. Sometimes the bride and groom want a simple wedding, but the family wants all the traditional rituals to be completed. In such a case, differences can arise. Apart from this, social media has also put unnecessary pressure on people. Most people try to make their wedding look better than others, which increases both expenses and mental stress.

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In my opinion, a successful marriage is not about expensive ceremonies, but about mutual understanding, respect, and trust. If both families understand each other, take care of each other's financial situation, and prioritize happiness and ease over unnecessary rituals, many problems can be solved automatically. After all, marriage is the beginning of a new life, so it should begin with peace, love, and prayer, not with undue pressure and a sense of competition.

@steem4nigeria

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