GingerOfTheNorth and I are putting the final touches on our wedding ceremony. We both come from Christian backgrounds, but our personal beliefs are more inclusive, and we’d like readings for the ceromony from different cultures and religions. We’re looking for a passage from the Quran that would be apropriate for a wedding, can anyone help us out?
Whelp, I’m no expert, but here is the commonest passages from he Qur’an I see being cited in regards to marriage ( note the two slightly different translations from the original Arabic - I’m sure there are others as well ):
*And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your hearts. Undoubtedly in these are signs for those who reflect. (30:21)
“And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect” (30:21).*
Here’s another one ( part of a passage only ):
*It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). (Quran 7:189) *
Hope those are helpful and best of luck to you both :).
I have an idea for you, which is not Islamic, but from probably the most famous poet in the Arab world (Lebanon). How about Khalil Gibran ‘On Marriage’ instead?
Gibran on Marriage…
Then Almitra spoke again and said, “And what of Marriage, master?”
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.
Oh, well if we’re going to go with Muslim poets, howabout Rumi?
*May these vows and this marriage be blessed.
May it be sweet milk,
this marriage, like wine and halvah.
Msay this marriage offer fruit and shade
like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness here and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcomes the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe
how spirit mingles in this marriage.
May the blessings which flow in all weddings
be gathered, God, together in our wedding!
The blessings of the Night of Power,
the month of fasting
the festival to break the fast
the blessings of the meeting of Adam and Eve
the blessings of the meeting of Joseph and Jacob
the blessings of gazing on the paradise of all abodes
and yet another blessing which cannot be put in words:
the fruitful scattering of joy
of the children of the Shayak
and our eldest!
In companionship and happiness
may you be like milk and honey
in union and fidelity,
just like sugar and halva.
May the blessings of those who toast
and the one who pours the wine
anoint the ones who said Amen and
the one who said the prayer.
That which God said to the rose,
and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty,
He said to my heart,
and made it a hundred times more beautiful.
A lifetime without Love is of no account
Love is the Water of Life
Drink it down with heart and soul!
In your light I learn how to love.
In your beauty, how to make poems.
You dance inside my chest,
where no one sees you,
but sometimes I do,
and that sight becomes this art.*
Can’t beat Rumi :).
- Tamerlane
Oops. Should be a space between …and our Eldest! and In companionship…
Mea culpa.
- Tamerlane
Ack! Another one - Corrections:
*May these vows and this marriage be blessed.
May it be sweet milk,
this marriage, like wine and halvah.
Msay this marriage offer fruit and shade
like the date palm.
May this marriage be full of laughter,
our every day a day in paradise.
May this marriage be a sign of compassion,
a seal of happiness here and hereafter.
May this marriage have a fair face and a good name,
an omen as welcomes the moon in a clear blue sky.
I am out of words to describe
how spirit mingles in this marriage.
May the blessings which flow in all weddings
be gathered, God, together in our wedding!
The blessings of the Night of Power,
the month of fasting
the festival to break the fast
the blessings of the meeting of Adam and Eve
the blessings of the meeting of Joseph and Jacob
the blessings of gazing on the paradise of all abodes
and yet another blessing which cannot be put in words:
the fruitful scattering of joy
of the children of the Shayak
and our eldest!
In companionship and happiness
may you be like milk and honey
in union and fidelity,
just like sugar and halva.
May the blessings of those who toast
and the one who pours the wine
anoint the ones who said Amen and
the one who said the prayer.*
- Tamerlane
Rumi’s good, too. I also have a secular Persian wedding tradition idea for you, if you’re interested. Tell the Wifey-to-Be to let me know. It’s a lovely tradition.
