Muslim-Protestant

Interfaith Montana wedding with Muslim groom

PROCESSIONAL Enya

OPENING WORDS OF THE OFFICIANT

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of all we hold holy, that spirit of life and love, known by many names, among them, Eloah, God, and Allah. Here before these witnesses, we join AH and AS in matrimony, which is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, solemnly and with love. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined.

Like the tiny sprout, a union is created by a willingness to leap into the unknown, like the leafy vine, nurtured by loving purpose and like the tough ponderosa pine, kept strong by abiding will.

INTENT

AS, have you come here freely and without doubt to give yourself to AH in marriage? AS: I have.

AH, have you come here freely and without doubt to give yourself to AS in marriage? AH: I have.

Let us pause for a moment to remember those who cannot be with us in body but who are with us in spirit.

THE GIVING IN MARRIAGE

Let me ask this of the friends and family gathered here today:

Will you bestow your blessing on their union and promise them your love and support in fulfilling the commitment they are about to make to each other? If you agree to support them, please signify by responding "We will." Guests respond: "We will"

AN OPENING PRAYER OR READING SPEAK TO US OF LOVE From The Prophet ~ By Kahlil Gilbran ~ Read by Sister

And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said: When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God." And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:

To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness.

To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;

To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

ABOUT MARRIAGE

Several thousand years ago the Chinese religious teacher, Lao Tzu wrote: Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

The Koran requires that a husband and a wife should be as clothing for each other. Just as clothing is for protection, comfort, beauty and concealment for human beings, Allah expects husbands and wives to be for one another. Men and women, should protect friends of one another; should encourage the right and forbid the wrong, and should establish worship and take care of the poor.

The Christian Bible, teaches us that Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And one of Allah’s signs is that Allah created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and Allah created between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for all people.

Sharing of Milk Tradition in Morocco, Symbolizing purity or the joy of new endeavors, May you never thirst

Sharing of Dates, Tradition in Morocco, Symbolizing blessings of the community, May you never hunger

WEDDING VOWS

The vows through which you accept each other as husband and wife have no hidden powers. They express in words your continuing intention and commitment, and your commitment to each other will need to be re‐ expressed in many different ways in the coming days and years. The expression of today’s vows are simply a signpost in your journey together. Since it is your desire to enter into marriage, join hands, and declare your consent in the presence of family and friends assembled here and before all that you hold sacred.

AS and AH will write their own.

Bride: "I, ___, offer you myself in marriage in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and with sincerity, to be for you an faithful and helpful wife."

Groom: ""I, ___, offer you myself in marriage in accordance with the instructions of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessing be upon him. I pledge, in honesty and sincerity, to be for you a faithful and helpful husband."

A Blessing from Rumi – read by daughter

May these vows and this marriage be blessed. May it be sweet milk, this marriage, like wine and halvah.

May this marriage offer fruit and shade,like the date palm. May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a 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 welcome as the moon in a clear blue sky.

I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS OR GIFTS

May I have the rings? These rings were consecrated in Morocco and exchanged at AS and AH’s engagement ceremony in the presence of AH’s family. May your rings always be a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no separate giver and receiver. You are each the giver, and each the receiver. May your rings always call to mind the freedom and power of this love.

AH do you have the ring? Repeat after me: "I (AH) give you (AS) this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."

AS do you have the ring? Repeat after me: "I (AS) give you (AH) this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."

BLESSING

Minister: May your love be firm, and may your dream of life together be a warm breeze between two great mountains‐‐ by day brightened by sunlight, and by night lit from within.

May the eagle carry news of you to the heavens, and the trout bring the river’s blue grace. May your twin thoughts spiral upward like leafy vines, like fiddle strings in the wind, and be as noble as the Douglas fir. May you never find yourselves back to back without love pulling you around into each other's arms.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

"I now pronounce you married. You may seal your vows with a kiss." This is followed by the first kiss of the newly married couple.

INTRODUCTION OF NEWLYWEDS

"I present to you the newly married couple, Mr and Mrs AH"

The guests stand and applaud. Greet Guests! - Let the Hugging begin!