INTRODUCTION

As you go further into the study of Islam, you will discover another beautiful facet of this
religion, and that is that it provides complete guidance for all aspects of daily living. You will
find that the instructions regarding marriage are particularly comprehensive in both the Holy
Qur'an and Hadith (the sayings of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him).
Marriage structures the basic unit of human society and lays the foundation of the family.
Healthy families are required for the cohesive preservation of the human race. So Allah
commands the believers to marry for its benefits morally, spiritually, socially, psychologically.
The

Holy

Prophet

(peace

and

blessing

of

Allah

be

on

him)

said:

"Marriage is my precept and my practice. Those who do not follow my practice are not of me."
And "When a man has married, he has completed one half of his religion."
The second Khalifa (successor) to the Promised Messiah has elaborated the role of
marriage in fulfilling our obligations to our fellow beings which are next only to our relations to
God. He emphasized:
"It is our duty to see that it is duly respected and adhered to faithfully. It entails a heavy
responsibility for both man and woman, but I find very few people realize it. When it is
attempted, it is done on a very inadequate scale. The Islamic law has only distinguished between
two sets of rules. One pertains to God Himself, and the other to our fellow beings. Marriage
therefore falls into the second category and may be considered to be its chief proponent. The
Islamic law has made the most of it, but there are many people that do not seem to understand
[the law] fully. Neither do they try to benefit themselves by it. Their case is like that of a baby
who would be quite willing to barter a precious diamond for a base coin. I wish people could
only realize the importance of marriage."
As you can see, marriage is a very serious undertaking for a Muslim. However, you will
discover a feast of intellectual, emotional and spiritual fulfillment as you find guidance from
Allah and His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) on marital/family relations, from
proper mate selection to marital problem resolution. You will see an operational system where
1

viable structure, clear responsibilities, roles and goals guide you; where checks and balances
provide a safety net for all parties in a family. Of course, Islam presents the ideal. Its realization
depends on the actions of each family member.
As you will have gathered by now, Muslims cannot enter into marriage lightly, just on a whim.
Allah has enjoined marriage for the believers for three basic reasons. They are:
1. To enable a man and a woman to live together and experience love and happiness, within
Islamic law.
2. To produce children, and provide a stable and righteous environment for their upbringing.
3. To provide a legal union which safeguards society from moral and social degradation.
The first two reasons are self-explanatory; both take into account the natural urges of human
beings. The third point looks beyond the individual, and establishes marriage as the most
important tool for creating an ideal society. How does marriage accomplish this?
First, you must understand that one of the most important moral values in Islam is chastity, i.e.,
the purity of both the individual and the whole society. Islam regards marriage as the means by
which man's natural urges and needs, both physical and emotional, are controlled and satisfied at
the same time. Uncontrolled and uninhibited satisfaction of physical desire is simply not
permitted in Islam. Adultery and fornication are grave sins. A Muslim man cannot go to any
woman and merely satisfy his physical desires; he has to do so through a legal contract of
marriage, which carries with it the additional responsibilities, duties and liabilities of family and
children for the rest of his life.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study is to know about the Islamic Wedding

The study is to know about Islamic Religion and methods
The study is to know details about Islamic Foods and its tricks
The study is to know different methods used for Wedding function.
Study details are used to entertain the guest in our wedding function.

LIMITATION

The time constraints were very less to collect the data.

The collection of data was difficult to approach programmers
The study cant be conducted magnificently because of lack of time to meet the
Managers..

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
There are two methods of collecting informations
1. Primary
2. Secondary
The method used here to collect information is secondary. Following are the sources for the
secondary method.

Books
Journals
Websites.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Considering that there are over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world (and counting), there is
no single way for all Muslim weddings to be held. There are 49 Muslim majority countries and
each contains many regional and cultural differences. Additionally, many Muslims living in the
West then mix family traditions with their host countries e.g. U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and
you have many permutations. We can discuss some of the major regional differences. For
example, Arab versus Indian-sub continent wedding customs in subsequent write-ups, but this is
just meant to be a starting point. Feel free to adapt the information below to your wedding
customs.
1.

Marriage Proposal. Usually the grooms parents and elders come to the bride-to-bes
house and ask for her hand in marriage. There maybe a recitation of the Qurans first chapter,
Surah Fatiha, and refreshments served. In religious and/or conservative families, this act may
not include the groom. However, here in the West, after being given permission to ask, by say the
father or brother of the groom, it may be that the groom then proposes. Depending on cultural
and family tradition the groom or his family may give a gift e.g. jewelry or some small amount
of money as a token gesture that they are committed.

2.

Engagement. Although not an Islamic requirement, with the flow of cultures, it is

common certainly here in the West for there to be an engagement. This can be a simple informal
event just between the families or more formal, where it turns into a prelude for a simpler,
smaller wedding. It can take place in the brides home or in a restaurant with family and close
friends. Again, customs vary. In more affluent or less conservative families, there may be an
exchange of rings and gifts for the respective families, with the ring being placed by the grooms
mother or sister on the bride-to-be. For less conservative, the actual exchange may happen with
the future couple under the auspices of the respective families. There may be a short prayer to
bless the upcoming marriage.

3.

Dholki. This cultural celebration, more common with the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent and those that are more affluent, has started to become more common. The greater the
affluence, the more the dollies that are hosted by different family friends. The dolce refers to the

drum played and sung to by ladies at an all the functions. Nowadays, this also includes dancing
in all-female gatherings.
4.

Mehndi or Henna. Mehndi, a skin decoration most commonly used on the Indian subcontinent and in the Middle East, custom refers to a celebration usually one or two nights before
the wedding. Traditionally, this used to be an all-ladies night event held at the brides home,
where the mehndi or henna is applied to the palms and feet of the bride-to-be. This was
combined with the beat of the dholki (drum) and traditional songs. These days the old has been
replaced with the new. More commonly now in the West and with affluent families, it is the
grooms side that brings the henna and sweets depending on cultural norms both sides
participate. There may be fun and competition with the brides side teasing the grooms family,
but all with respect. Not only the bride-to-be, but also close family and friends also participate in
the mehndi application, although not as elaborate as the brides. In Indian/Pakistani culture the
bride wears green or yellow/orange, but this is very much cultural and personal. The event which
is now more formalized can take place at the brides home followed by dinner (potluck or
catered) or at a restaurant.

5.

Barat. This refer to the grooms procession, which includes family and friends that go to
visit the brides home, or home city for the nikah. In traditional affluent Indian culture, the groom
may go on a white decorated horse. These days the horse has been replaced with a car. The
greater the affluence the more expensive the car. Although these days it is possible to rent
limousines, classic cars and Rolls Royces, there are so many options. The barat may be received
by a band. As they enter, the brides side of the family and friends put a flower necklace (Lei) on
the groom and some key family members. They also throw confetti or rose petals on the grooms
procession, typically done by the brides family and friends.

6.

Nikah. This is the actual wedding ceremony, usually officiated by a Muslim cleric, an
imam. Although a nikah can be done anywhere including the brides home or reception hall, it is
preferable and usually done these days in a mosque. Men and women sit in segregated areas,
just as they pray. The imam will ask for two witnesses from the brides side who will then
accompany the Imam to the womens side or just ask the witnesses to get the signed permission
of the wedding registration documents. Depending on state and country the laws may be a little
different. Once the witnesses return, the imam conducts the nikah by giving a short sermon
(khutbah) and then asking the brides father (the wali or guardian) if he gives permission for his
7

daughter to be married. The imam then turns to the groom and asks him if he will fulfill his
rights and obligations and to pay the mahar. Mahar does not translate easily into English, as it is
loosely related to a gift, tax or dowry. It is usually monetary, but doesnt have to be. The imam
will finally make a dua or prayer for the new couple. There are many duas, but the most common
and prophetic one is barak Allahu lakum wa barak aleikum wa jama bainakuma fi khair which
means May Allah bless you, surround you with blessings, and bring you both together in virtue
and prosperity. It is a sunnah to share something sweets e.g. dates, after the nikah. Depending
on when/where the nikah is being held, you may choose to offer a light lunch or dinner for the
guests especially those who have come from afar.
7.

Registration. Registration requirements vary by country and state. In places like the
U.K., it is a formal process, which can be attended by close family. In the U.S., and specifically
in California, it is a three stage process for Muslims. First the bride and groom need to fill out the
paperwork at the registrars office and pay the fees. The bride should have decided by this point
if she is going to change her last name or keep her maiden name. Islamically, it is not a
requirement for a woman to change her name. The second step of the registration takes place at
the nikah where the imam completes the paperwork provided by the city/county. The third and
final step is that this paperwork is returned to the city/county and legally the marriage becomes
valid.

8.

Reception and Valima (Walima). There are many variants on the reception and valima.
It is something that you and your families will need to discuss and agree upon. In certain cultures
like Pakistani, it is the brides parents that pay for and hold the reception. Most of the guests are
from the brides side plus the barat that has come with the groom. Later, next day or week to
allow the grooms side to invite their guests and some from the brides side, a valima is held. In
other cultures like Afghan or Arab, it is the grooms side that pays for the reception. Sometimes
if the number of guests on each side is similar or there are many shared guests in common in a
single event, a reception and valima may be held. Both sides can split the costs (or not). There
are no hard and fast rules about who pays for what, but as long as it is fair and mutually
acceptable and done in good spirit, that is what counts.

9.

Rukhsti (Farewell). Rukhsti is the farewell when the bride leaves her home or home city
for the grooms home. The brides father and family escort their daughter to the waiting grooms
car. It is usually an emotional event, where the bride, brides father and mother bid farewell with
lots of prayers and, yes, many times, tears. This will be the first night the couple gets to spend
together. The less the families and couple know each other, the greater the anxiety. Conversely
these days it is not uncommon for a lot of communication to take place and that bride and groom
have some level of familiarity. The couple may head to a hotel, their apartment (which the groom
has secured), or grooms family home.

10.

Honeymoon. Although a recent cultural addition after the wedding, most Muslim
couples in the West go for ahoneymoon to desired destination. Some who are more religiously
inclined go for Umrah and on the return journey spend time in Istanbul, Cairo or other
destinations. Others chose exotic locations that have some Muslim significance, for example, the
Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Morocco, etc. This is a time for the new couple to get privacy
especially from family and get to know each other as husband and wife.

Although many Muslims stage a multiday celebration to mark a wedding, the traditional
marriage ritual itself, called a nikah in Arabic, is simple and brief. It generally follows these
steps:
At the wedding, which can take place pretty much anywhere, the bride and groom are separated
in different rooms. They may or may not be able to see each other, depending on how
conservative the families are.
An officiant, who can be any man familiar with Islamic law, heads to each room separately.
There he asks the spouses-to-be if they consent to the marriage and if they are marrying of their
own free will (a representative called a wali answers the officiant's questions on the bride's
behalf).
The couple signs the marriage contract or license, with witnesses observing.
The officiant brings the pair together and pronounces them husband and wife.
9

A Muslim Wedding Celebration

Days of lively parties often surround the nikah, and that's just what Shaila Khan plans for her
wedding. In her Pakistani culture, Khan explains, marriage becomes a big issue once a girl hits
post-college age, and women are often expected to wed within their own ethnicity. Khan's Mr.
Right happens to be from Pakistan, and she admits that his background helps prevent conflict.
"It's nice to have someone understand who I am and where I come from," says Khan, a New
York investment analyst in her mid-20s. "And I don't have to worry about my family accepting
him." Though far from a typical South Asian, Khan now finds herself looking forward to a
typical Pakistani wedding, featuring a week of singing and dancing, including the following
events:

Dholki:
The wedding celebrations begin with the dholki (named after the dholk, or drum) one to
two weeks before the actual three-day wedding ceremony.
During this event, young guests sing and dance while beating on the dholk.
The bride and groom traditionally hold their own dholki. Friends and family gather at their
respective houses to practice songs and dances for the upcoming mehendi ceremony during the
week of the wedding. "There's usually a whole week of back-to-back dholkis before a wedding.
I've had so much fun attending them in the past," Khan says. "It's just an excuse to get together
with friends and family to dance." The women closest to either the bride or groom usually
choreograph the dances, and it's mostly women who perform.
The couple's families prepare dinner for the revelers, and the party goes late.
Mehendi: The mehendi ceremony takes place on the first night of the three-day wedding.
Usually the most festive part of the event, it's filled with noise and color, with women dressed in
bright formal shalwar kameezoutfits and saris, and with unmarried girls sporting long skirts and
10

blouse outfits called lehengas. Themehendi can either be held separately for the bride and groom
or jointly. A joint mehendi lends to friendly guy/girl competition while each side takes turns to
outdo the other. In more conservative families, the women are kept separated from the men.
The bride traditionally wears a formal yellow outfit, and, as the name of the ceremony implies,
has wetmehendi (henna paint) applied on her hands that day. "The bride, along with all the
women on both sides of the family, has henna designs put on her hands and sometimes her feet,"
Khan says.
"It's basically a bridal shower, but a lot more colorful. It's definitely my favorite part of
the

wedding

festival

and

plan

on

having

lot

of

fun

on

mine."

It's customary for the bride to be escorted onto the stage under a yellow color dupata, or large
scarf, held up by six female relatives or friends. Her head is covered and bowed, and she doesn't
have much makeup or jewelry on at this event. In joint mehendi ceremonies the groom arrives at
the ceremony after the bride with his entourage of guests, called the baraat..

Nikah: The main wedding day is less eventful than the preceding days. The bride
typically wears a bright-redghaagra, a heavily pleated skirt with a long blouse embroidered in
gold. The dupata is hung low over her bowed head and wrapped around her shoulders in such a
way that her heavy gold jewelry is not hidden. This outfit is the most elaborate of all the ones the
bride will wear. "With all the gold the bride wears on her wedding day,
she

looks

and

feels

like

queen,"

Khan

says.

Grooms either wear a traditional sherwani with a turban or a Western-style suit. Some grooms
wear a veil of roses on their head before the bride enters. As a game, sometimes the bride's young
female relatives and friends will steal the groom's shoes, returning them only when the groom
pays a bargained amount of money. At the end of the night, a procession escorts the couple to the
wedding

car

and

throws

flower

petals

on

the

couple.

Valima: The groom's family hosts the valima, or the feast, the night after the wedding. The feast

11

signifies the consummation of the wedding, and is roughly equivalent to an American wedding
reception. "Pakistani food is very rich and heavy, so that truly makes for a real feast," Khan says.
Don't get the wrong ideawith all this planning it may seem like Khan is engaged, but she hasn't
slipped on the ring yet. Asks Khan with a smile: "A girl's allowed to plan, isn't she?"
Cavendish banqueting was established in 2005 and is now widely recognised as one of the most
service orientated and professional banqueting venues in London. It is one of the largest Indian
wedding venues London and is known to be one of the most spacious Indian wedding venues.
We have hosted over 3000 functions over the years and have looked after more than 100,000
guests. We pride ourselves on our impeccible customer service record and invite all prospective
clients to view our client testimonials pages and videos.
Our beautiful venue boasts a fantastic main hall and a seperate blue bar, that is suitable for
smaller functions and receptions and is a well known asian wedding venue in London. The
Grand Hall at Cavendish Banqueting boasts an impressive area of over 8,000 square feet and can
comfortably accommodate in excess of 400 of your guests making it one of the large wedding
venues in London. The versatile, air conditioned Grand Hall is fully equipped with state of the
art facilities and stunning audiovisual effects to transform your function into an unforgettable
event.
Decorated in neutral colours, the Grand Hall is completely adaptable to your preference with the
use of lighting and fabrics. The Grand Hall houses an adjustable dance floor and stage, giving
you more choice, total flexibility and a completely unique, tailor-made experience. Our dedicated
bridal room allows the bride and her party to relax, and comfortably prepare for the main
reception.
We work with clients from all cultures and are experts in hosting all manner of events including
African functions as we are one of the best loved Nigerian wedding venues. Our in house
catering team can create any style of menu for your big event including a Guajarati wedding
menu, Muslim wedding menu, Punjabi menu or any Asian Fusion. We also have fantastic
relationships with a number of Kosher caterers who regularly use our facilities for Jewish
Weddings & Bar Mitzvahs.
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As one of the popular Hindu wedding venues in London, we are well versed in all the traditional
ceremonies and can support our clients throughout the entire day. There are plenty of places for
you and your guests to park their cars: Over 500 spaces within a 5 minute walk. Car parking
spaces are available on the forecourt of the building. These spaces can be reserved for the host
family or particular guests. We are very proud of our excellent reputation in the market and we
love what we do. Please give us a call or pop into the venue to see how we can help make your
big event go off with a bang.

13

14

As a Muslim wedding venue, Cavendish Banqueting in London also provide Halal catering in a

variety of styles, from Indian (Pakistani) to Middle Eastern, including Turkish, Lebanese and
everything that fits under the broad banner of Arabic. Muslim wedding venues must also
provide for customers who would like to cater their own function a service which Cavendish
also provides.

Muslim Weddings 5 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Muslim Weddings 6 @ Cavendish Banqueting

In some cultures, a Muslim wedding venue must cater for a segregated seating something that
here at Cavendish in Colindale we are exceptionally experienced with. Some customers will opt
15

for partly segregated, with a divider between the men and the women in the main hall only, but
for the more strict customers we will offer a separate entrance for men and women.

Muslim Weddings 1 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Muslim Weddings 2 @ Cavendish Banqueting

In a womens Muslim wedding venue function, we will also provide female staff, to ensure that
no male staff will ever enter the hall while the women are there.

16

Muslim Weddings 3 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Muslim Weddings 4 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Food & Catering

17

Gujarati
Bottom of Form

Gujrati Food 1 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Gujrati Food 2 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Gujrati Food 3 @ Cavendish Banqueting

18

Gujrati Food 4 @ Cavendish Banqueting

Gujrati Food 5 @ Cavendish Banqueting

19

Gujrati Food 6 @ Cavendish Banqueting

20

21

F o o d & B e l i e f s w i t h a M u s l i m Wed d i n g
The culture of those participating in a Muslim wedding dictates most of the wedding's
traditions, beliefs, customs and foods to a much larger extent than the faith itself does. Islam
views marriages as contractual agreements, and most traditional ones are arranged. The marriage
itself is a simple affair, but the celebration afterwards, called the walimah, can be elaborate with
a large feast.
After Muslims marry, they must make a public announcement of the marriage. The public
announcement celebration, called the walimah, can be very large and festive depending on the
culture. Some brides in Western cultures dress in white while others in Asian communities may
dress in red. Sometimes the couple will sit on a pair of thrones and receive gifts and money;
during other walimahs, the festivities will be gender segregated. Some walimahs include huge
parties with large meals, dancing and music that last multiple days, others are simple affairs with
a few attendees. The groom is responsible for funding the walimah celebration.
The types of foods at the walimah greatly vary depending on the culture. The Quran
describes the Prophet Muhammad slaughtering a goat and providing bread for one of his
walimahs. Many Muslims who host walimahs today will provide an animal, either a sheep or a
goat, if they can afford to do so. The Quran also accounts one of Muhammad's walimahs in
which he did not provide meat, but instead offered dates, dried yogurt and butter. In modern
traditions, the menu comprises local fare. Some include fish and chicken instead of a goat or
sheep. In Bangladesh, the bride and groom drink borhani, a spicy yogurt. In India, the bride's
mother gives her candies or sweet desserts before her unveiling ceremony. The couple may
receive eggs as a symbol of fertility.

22

MUSLIM WEDDING FOOD MENUS

Starters - Non Vegetarian

Chicken Tikka
Jeera Chicken Wings
Hariyali Chicken Tikka
Tandoori Chicken
Lamb Chops
Boti Kebab
Lamb Tawa Masala
Lamb Samosa
Fish Pakora
Fish Amritsari
Starters - Vegetarian
Vegetable Spring Roll
Vegetable Samosa
Papadi Chaat
Chilli Paneer
Paneer Tikka
Aloo Tikki Chaat
Paneer Shaslik
Harabhara Kebab

23

Main Course - Non Vegetarian

Palak Chicken
Murgh Makhani
Kadhai Chicken
Lamb Roganjosh
Handi Gosht
Kadhai Lamb
Methi Lamb
Main Course - Vegetarian
Channa Masala
Daal Tadka
Daal Makhani
Ma Ha Di Daal
New Potatoes & Corn
Rajmah
Aloo Gobi
Palak Paneer
Saag Aloo
Vegetable Makhani
Vegetable Tawa Masala
Paneer Tikka Masala
Rice
24

 Chicken Biriyani
Chicken Pulao
Meat Pulao
Lamb Biriyani
Mutter & Jeera Pulao
Plain Rice
Raita
Mixed Raita
Cucumber Raita
Boondi Raita
Dahi Bhalle
Dahi Vada
Salad
Mixed Salad
Assorted Green Salad
Kachumber Salad
Naan
Plain Naan
Rogini Naan
Tandoori Parantha
Ajwani Parantha
Taandoori Roti
Dessert
Gajar Halwa
25

 Rasmalai
Kheer
Zarda
Choice of Ice Cream

ISLAMIC WEDDING FAMOUS SWEETS

1. Khubani ka meetha

Khubani or Khobani is Urdu for apricot. This dish is made from dried apricots and generous
amount of ghee and nuts is used. It is a common feature at Hyderabadi Weddings.
2. Jauzi Halwa

26

Hamidi Confectioners in Mauzem jahi market in the Old city part of Hyderabad seves the
famous Jauzi halwa. It is a sweet made by condensing milk to a khowa consistency. This dish is
different from other milk based sweets because it has nutmeg in it. Nutmeg is the predominant
flavour but it is not overpowering. If you ever visit Old City, do step into this local shop and try
their halwa!
3. Shahi Tukre or Double ka Meetha

The fine quality of Nawabi desserts can be brought out only by cooking them over a slow fire.
First, bread is fried till golden brown and is layered in a deep dish. Saffron infused condensed
milk is poured on top of the layer and pistachios are sprinkled on top. On Formal occasions, the
27

food is garnished with warq (a very fine, pure silver leaf created by prolonged hammering and
flattening of a small piece of silver)- Nizam style!
4. Gajar ka Halwa

Gajar ka halwa or Carrot pudding is probably one of Indias most popular traditional desserts that
is adorned by everyone. A slow cooked carrots in saffron and sugar infused milk is eaten as a
dessert in Hyderabad.
5. Firni

28

This light and delicately-flavoured milk pudding is easy to make. Firni is also easy on the
stomach after a heavy and rich meal! Rose water is often sprinkled on top to give the dish a
Nizam touch and also to enhance the flavour.
6. Sheer Khurma

Sheer Khurma is a vermicelli pudding prepared on Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. During the
season of Ramadan you can see people drying strings of homemade vermicelli outside their
houses. While growing up for most of us, Eid has been synonymous with meethi sevaiyan (Sheer
Khurma). We would go to our Muslim friends homes and enjoy this delicious preparation.
7. Chawal Ki Kheer aur Puri ( Rice Pudding)

29

Kheer or milk pudding can be prepared with a variety of ingredients. The famous ingredients
used are bottle gourd or rice. This is served with warm, stuffed (generally, coconut or jaggery)
puris as a dessert.
8. Mauz ka Meetha

Bananas are slow cooked with milk, sugar, cardamom and saffron. Topped with nuts fried in
ghee, this makes a yummy dessert.
9. Shahjahani Meetha

30

A sweet made out of tomato pulp, minced banana and khowa. It is made at weddings and during
other special occasions.
10. Badam ki Jali

This is a real classic. Only a few families still make it. The Badam ki jali is made from Marzipan
which is made from almond meal and sugar. Badam ki jail is made into different shapes. And
sometimes cut into pattern with Urdu writings for special occasions/orders. The initial recipe had
eggs added, but slowly the customer base for these sweets expanded and they started getting a lot
of non-Muslim clientele who werent in favour of using eggs. Hence eggs were removed
completely from the recipe
HALAL FOODS
31

32

Muslim food and Drink

The issue of what is right or wrong for one to eat or drink is not an issue of debate just in our
times. But it has been an important issue through out the world history.
Humans being with limited knowledge and self desire have made lawful certain substances and
made unlawful other substances to themselves and to others. However these man made laws
differ from country to country and change from time to time depending on which group of
people have the most influence and power. This cycle may repeat many times over through out
the history of that nation.
We also see even in our own times human beings being burnt alive because they ate beef. A
person may have been found to have eaten a cow by a egatarian people someone in their locality
ate a cow. Similarly in the west if the so called animal rights activists had their way people will
be slaughtered for eating meat.
However, the same people will find no wrong in drinking alcohol. Alcohol a substance which
leads to destruction not just of the individual but the whole society. How many times do we here
of a person who killed someone whilst drinking because he was under the influence of Alcohol?
In the Britain for instance we can see humans juggling over whether to legalise drugs such as
cannabis. I say juggling because they do not know for certain what the correct thing to do is. Not
only are human laws plagued with uncertainty but they are often influenced by the desire of
those making the laws.
However, we as Muslims should be should show great gratitude to our Lord that he has not left
us to make our own laws and go round in circles making error upon error. It Is a great blessing
on the believers that Allah has shown us what is good to eat and drink and what is bad for us to
eat and drink.
Allah created us and created the food for us and through His infinite wisdom knows what is
beneficial for us and what is harmful for us.

33

Allah says:
O mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and good on the earth, and follow not the footsteps of
Shaitn (Satan). Verily, he is to you an open enemy. (Quran 2.168)
O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things
that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you
worship. (Quran 2.172)
Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maitah (the dead animals cattle beast not
slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which Allaahs Name has not been mentioned
while slaughtering (that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allaah, or has
been slaughtered for idols) and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or
by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild
animal unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) - and that which is sacrificed
(slaughtered) on An-Nusub (stone-altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or
decision; (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allaah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved
have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected
your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your
religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can eat
these above mentioned meats), then surely, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful
And why should you not eat of that (meat) on which Allaahs Name has been pronounced (at
the time of slaughtering the animal), while He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to
you, except
Allah says :
O you who believe! Make not unlawful the tayyibaat (all that is good) which Allaah has made
lawful to you, and transgress not. Verily, Allaah does not like the transgressors. [al-Maaidah
5:87]
Say: Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by Allaah, which He has produced
34

for His slaves, and al-Tayyibaat [all kinds of halaal (lawful) things] of food? Say: They are, in
the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them (believers) on the Day of
Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share them). Thus We explain the aayaat (Islamic law) in
detail for people who have knowledge. [al-Araaf 7:32]
Say: Tell me, what provision Allaah has sent down to you! And you have made of it lawful and
unlawful. Say: has Allaah permitted you (to do so), or do you invent a lie against Allaah?
[Yoonus 10:59]
Allah has also warned His slave against forbidding anything without knowledge. He said :
And say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely: This is lawful and this is
forbidden, so as to invent lies against Allaah. Verily, those who invent lies against Allaah will
never prosper. [al-Nahl 16:116]
Insha' Allah in this section we will deal with what is lawful for Muslims (Halal) and what is
Unlawful (Haram) for Muslims and the civilised way of eating and drinking.
So what can a Muslim eat and drink?
WHAT CAN A MUSLIM NOT EAT
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): Forbidden for you (for food) are: al-maytatah (dead
animals cattle-beast not slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and the meat of that which has
been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allaah, or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., or
on which Allaahs Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering, and that which has been
killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns and
that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild animal unless you are able to slaughter it (before
its death) [al-Maaidah 5:3].
1 A Muslim can not eat nor drink anything that causes intoxication in any amounts. What
intoxicates in large amounts is unlawful in small amounts. In fact a Muslim is not even allowed
to sit in a table were alcohol is being served (Detailed article on Alcohol)

35

a. So Alcohol and products containing or made from Alcohol are Haram (even if all the alcohol
has evaporated).
Thus Spirit Vinegar is Haram ( but if Vinegar was produced without using Alcohol then it is
lawful)
Vanilla Extract is made by macerating and percolating vanilla beans in a solution of ethyl
alcohol and water and therefore it and products containing it would not be lawful.
b. Narcotics, Heroin, cocaine, marijuana and any other substances which causes intoxication are
also forbidden
c. Nutmeg also causes intoxication is also Haram
2 Pig and any products containing pig is Haram
3 All carnivores which have fangs such as lions, tigers, wolves , dogs, cats etc are Haram
4 All birds which have talons such as hawks, falcons, vultures, eagles etc are haram
It was narrated from Ibn Abbaas that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
forbade all carnivorous animals which have fangs and all birds which have talons.
(Narrated by Muslim, 1934)
Narrated by Abu Dawood (5267) and Ibn Majaah (3224) from Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be
pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) forbade killing four kinds of animals: ants, bees, hoopoes and sparrow-hawks. Classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood
5 Domesticated donkeys are haram
Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) forbade mutah (temporary marriage) in the year of Khaybar and he forbade
6Animals which we are commanded to kill such as mice, scorpions, snakes are haram
7 Animals that are sacrificed to anyone other than Allah is haram

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8. Any animal that has died (except fish and sea creatures) before being slaughtered in the
Islamic manner. (will be described below)
9 Eating or drinking blood is haram.
9 Frogs are haram to eat
Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which a doctor
asked the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about using frogs in medicine,
and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade killing them.
Narrated by Abu Dawood (5269), classed as saheeh by al-Nawawi in al-Majmoo (9/34).
9. Ibn Umar said The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade eating
jallaalah or (drinking) its milk. Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhi who said: (it
is) hasan ghareeb. It was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwaa, 2503 (see below for
details)
10 Narrated Ibn umar:"Allah's Messenger prohibited eating or drinking the milk of the animal
which feeds on filth (Al-Arba'a except An-Nasa'i reported it. At-Tirmidhi graded it hasan)."
WHAT CAN MUSLIMS EAT
1 We can eat all fruit and vegetables.
2 We can eat all fish and sea food but not frogs nor crocodiles as crocodiles have fangs (fish do
not have to be slaughtered)
Allah say
Lawful to you is (the pursuit of) water-game and its use for food - for the benefit of yourselves
and those who travel...(5:96)
Ibn Abbaas said: Sayduhu (lit. hunting, pursuit) refers to whatever is taken from it alive,
and taaamuhu (lit. its food) means whatever is taken dead.

37

3 There are certain animals who are halal (lawful) as long as they have been slaughtered in the
Islamic way
These animals are cows, sheep, lamb, chickens, hens, turkey, ducks, camels, goats, goose,
ostrich, etc if they are slaughtered in the halal way.
Allah says
Eat not (O believers) of that (meat) on which Allahs Name has not been pronounced (at the
time of the slaughtering of the animal)
[al-Anaam 6:121]
So the halal way of slaughtering an Animal which is regarded as halal to eat is having a sharp
knife saying Bismillaah, wa Allaahu akbar (In the name of Allaah and Allaah is Most Great). and
then cutting the throat and oesophagus of the animal and letting the blood flow. After the blood
has drained out the animal is fit for consumption (note the head can only be cut of after the blood
has drained out. It is also sunnah to have the anima's head facing the qibla. note if the animal is
killed in any other way (such as by strangulation, electric shock, stunning, poison etc) it becomes
Haram to eat.
al-Saheehayn that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) slaughtered two rams with his own hand, and he said Bismillaah and
Allaahu akbar. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7/130, no. 5554; Muslim, 3/1556, no. 1966; Ahmad,
3/115.
4 An Animal who is normally allowed to eat but it has fed on haram feed is known as Jallaalah
and it cannot be eaten until it has been kept for three days and nights and fed only with halal
feed.
It says in Kashshaaf al-Qinaa (6/193): Jallaalah which refers to animals most of whose food is
najis is haraam, as is its milk, because of the report narrated by Ibn Umar who said: The
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade eating jallaalah or (drinking) its
milk. Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhi who said: (it is) hasan ghareeb. It was
classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Irwaa, 2503
38

 (it is haraam) until it has been kept for three days and nights, because if Ibn Umar wanted to
eat (such an animal), he would keep it for three days and feed it with pure food, and prevent it
from eating impure food, whether it was a bird or animal, because the factor that was preventing
it from being halaal would be removed thereby. End quote.
5 Narrated Anas regarding the story of the hare: he (Abu Talha) slaughtered it and sent its launch
to Allah's Messenger (SAW) and he accepted it. (Agreed Upon).
6 Narrated Ibn Abu Ammar. I asked jabir, "Is hyena a game ?" He replied, "Yes." I asked "Did
Allah's Messenger (SAW) say that?" He replied, "Yes." (Reported by Ahmad and Al-Arba'a. AlBukhari and ibn hibban graded it Sahih)
7 Narrated Abu Qatada regarding the Zebra's story; the Prophet (SAW) ate from it. (Agreed
upon)
8 Ibn `Umar said that the Prophet said: We have been allowed two dead things and two bloody
things: fish and locusts; and liver and spleen. (Ash-Shafi`i, Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Ad-Daraqutni
) (noe as long as liver and spleen is from an animal which is halal to eat)
9 Certain foods are allowed although the prophet disliked to eat them himself.

Khaalid ibn al-Waleed reported that some grilled lizard meat was brought to the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) and put in front of him. He stretched out his hand to take
some, but one of the people present said, O Messenger of Allah, it is lizard meat, so he pulled
his hand back. Khaalid ibn al-Waleed asked, O Messenger of Allaah, is lizard haraam? He said,
No, but it is not known among my people and I cannot face eating it. So Khaalid took some of
the lizard meat and ate it, whilst the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) looked on. (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4981, al-Nisaa'i, 4242, and Abu Dawood, 3300).

39

MEAT OF CHRISTIANS AND JEWS

The Christians and Jews are regarded people of the book because Allah's messengers came to
them with original Bible and Original Torah but the Christians and Jews changed those books
and in doing so became Kaffirs. Because they are Ahle Kitab Kaffirs not say other types of
kaffirs it is allowed to to eat meat that is slaughtered by them on conditions that the meat is
slaughtered and on the condition that animal is of those types which are halal and that the
animals throat and oesophagus of the animal are cut and the blood is allowed to flow and that no
name other than Allah's is mentioned nor is it dedicated to anyone other than Allah.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was invited to eat some barley bread
and other food by a Jewish boy. Narrated by Ahmad, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa alGhaleel, 1/71.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions did wudoo from
the leather water skin of a mushrik woman. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 337; Muslim, 682
Made lawful to you this day are At-Tayyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) foods, which Allah has
made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, etc., milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits,
etc.). The food (properly slaughtered cattle, eatable animals, etc.) of the people of the
Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you
in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given
the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time, when you have given their
due Mahr (bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring
chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking
them as girl-friends. And whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other
Articles of Faith [i.e. His (Allah's), Angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of
Resurrection and Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], then fruitless is his work, and in the
Hereafter he will be among the losers. (quran 5:5

40

In reality Christian nowadays kill animals mostly by haram methods. Many scholars say such
kind of meat is thus not allowed. Some Jews do slaughter their animals by cutting the animals
animals throat and oesophagus and letting the blood flow but it is not clear if they mention any
one else's name other than Allah's.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that some people said to the Prophet (peace be upon
him) that a people come to them with meat which they do not know whether they have
mentioned the name of Allah upon it or not. The Prophet replied "Mention the name of Allah
upon it and eat it (Bukhari)
Also in a multinational company it is not even known who slaughtered the animal. The company
may belong to a Jew r Christian but the worker may be Atheist or Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist etc.

WHAT IF A PERSON IS STRANDED IN A DESERT OR AN ISOLATED AND THERE IS

NO HALAL FOOD TO EAT?
There are incidences were you will not find any halal food at all. Not even an apple. You may
only find a wild pig. If you do not kill and eat that wild pig then you will die of starvation. In
such a case it is allowed for a person to eat a small amount of that pig. Just enough to survive
until he can find halal food.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
Forbidden to you (for food) are: Al-Maitah (the dead animals cattle beast not
slaughtered), blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which Allaahs Name has not been mentioned
while slaughtering (that which has been slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allaah, or has
been slaughtered for idols) and that which has been killed by strangling, or by a violent blow, or
by a headlong fall, or by the goring of horns and that which has been (partly) eaten by a wild
animal unless you are able to slaughter it (before its death) - and that which is sacrificed
(slaughtered) on An-Nusub (stone-altars). (Forbidden) also is to use arrows seeking luck or
decision; (all) that is Fisqun (disobedience of Allaah and sin). This day, those who disbelieved
have given up all hope of your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day, I have perfected
your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your
41

religion. But as for him who is forced by severe hunger, with no inclination to sin (such can
eat these above mentioned meats), then surely, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful
[al-Maaidah 5:3]
It so happened that in Chechnia some of the Mujahideen (Muslim fighters) ran out of food and
could not find any food. Some of them died of hunger but one Mujahid managed to spot a wild
pig and he killed it. He ate just enough to survive. Had he not eaten it, he would have also died
like his comrades of starvation. So in this extreme case it was permitted for him to eat the wild
pig.
Some Muslim misunderstand this verse and believe that if they are in a city were there is no halal
meat then they can eat haram meat. Haram meat is only allowed in a situation were there is
absolutely no food at all. One doesn't need meat or fish to survive.
Once a group of new recruits of the Pakistani army were sent on patrol in a deserted area. Their
communication equipment failed and they were stranded in that area for 2 weeks. One of them
said there was no people and no animals ( nor were there any fish) but they had lots of fruit
there. But even the fruit was raw at that time of the year. He said we grabbed fruits and took a
bite and threw it say this is raw. As time went by and we got extremely hungry we picked the raw
fruit and said this is fine. So they survived on that raw fruit for two weeks until the Pakistani
Army was able to rescue them.
So there is no excuse for someone eating haram meat if he can find something such as fruits,
vegetables or fish to eat. There are people who even live their whole life eating vegetables.
GOING TO THE MASJID WHILST EATING CERTAIN HALAL FOODS
Onions and garlic are Halal food and thus we can eat them but as they give a bad oder we should
not go to the Masjid after eating them
Narrated from Jaabir ibn Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Whoever eats onions, garlic or leeks, let him not
approach our mosque, for the angels are annoyed by the same things that annoy the sons of
Adam. Muslim (564)
42

also Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: O people, you eat two plants
which I think are nothing but bad: this onion and garlic. I saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him), if he noticed their smell on a man in the mosque, ordering
that he be taken out to al-Baqee. Whoever eats them, let him cook them to death. Muslim (567)
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: It is the duty of every Muslim to do
ghusl on Friday, and to use the siwaak and put on perfume, if his family has any. Ahmad
(16445) This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shuayb al-Arnaoot in his commentary on alMusnad.
UTENSIL
Silver and gold cups, plates, utensils, trays, boxes etc cannot be used to eat from or with.
Umm Salamah reported that Prophet said: The one who eats or drinks from a vessel of gold or
silver is putting fire from Hell into his stomach. (Reported by Muslim, 3/1634).
UTENSIL OF NON MUSLIMS
;Although food of the people of the book i.e christians and Jews can be eaten if they mean the
condistions mentioned above it should be noted that if their vessels are used for haram things
such as cooking pork or drinking alcohol then you should avoid using those vessels and if you
cannot find anything else then you should wash them with water ,making sure the impurities do
not remain in them. As the following hadiths will explain.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was invited to eat some barley bread
and other food by a Jewish boy. Narrated by Ahmad, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa alGhaleel, 1/71.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions did wudoo from
the leather water skin of a mushrik woman. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 337; Muslim, 682

Abu Thalabah al-Khushani said: I said, O Prophet of Allaah, I live in a land where there are
some of the People of the Book; can we eat from their vessels? He said: As for what you said
43

about the People of the Book, if you can find anything else, do not eat from their vessels, but if
you cannot find anything else then wash them and eat from them. al-Bukhaari (5478) and
Muslim (3567)
report from Abu Dawood (3839): We live next to some of the People of the Book who cook
pork in their vessels and drink wine in their vessels. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: If you can find anything else, eat from them and drink
from them, but if you cannot find anything else, then wash them with water and eat and drink.
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

44

CONCLUSION
The Islamic Wedding tricks are used it makes people happy and rejoice. The wedding techniques
and banquet service is used everyone while we are making wedding function the happiness
regular.
From the particular project I came to know that every ere there is tricks play we can make good
business in Islamic wedding function. I enjoyed while collecting tricks, it made use full for my
carrier.

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ANNEXURE

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