IMPACTS OF HINDU WEDDING CULTURE: AN APPRAISAL OF CURRENT WEDDING TRENDS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Development and preservation of distinctive Islamic culture was one of the significant and major objectives of the creation of Pakistan. It involves not only the fate of the Muslims of the Subcontinent but also raises question about their capabilities and abilities to preserve and practice those distinctive values on the basis of which the demand was made. In this perspective analysis of wedding culture in Pakistan is very important. Islam accommodates cultural diversities to the extent that these diversities do not come in contrast with the teachings of Islam. In Islam marriage is not only obligatory but it is a part of Sunnah. Walima and Nikkah are fundamental Islamic wedding rituals. All of the others have been adopted from the Hindu culture through the process of acculturation when Muslims and Hindus were living together in the united India or through the cultural diffusion via electronic media after division. Intermingling of Hindu and Muslim wedding culture is adversely affecting separate identity of the Muslims which had once provided theoretical and ideological foundation for the Pakistan Movement. The paper will strive to analyze the extent of penetration of Hindu culture into Muslim culture and its consequences upon Muslim society by proceeding qualitative and exploratory approach. It also aims at highlighting prevailing scenario of now a day kind of marriages as well as the teaching of Islam in order to identify and classify them as parallel or contrary to Islam.