Mysore Muslim weddings are a sight to behold for their extremely sensuous wedding ceremonies. Muslim brides in Mysore upon reaching the age at marriage register names with matrimony sites like Mysore Nikah. Adab refers to prescribed Islamic etiquette: refinement, good manners, morals, decorum, decency, humaneness. While interpretation of the scope and particulars of Adab may vary among different cultures, common among these interpretations is regard for personal standing through the observation of certain codes of behavior. To exhibit Adab would be to show” proper discrimination of correct order, behavior, and taste. Muslims refer to Adab as good manners, courtesy, respect, and appropriateness, covering acts such as entering or exiting a washroom, posture when sitting, and cleansing oneself. Most of these customs can be traced back to Abrahamic traditions in pre-Islamic arabian society. Due to Muhammad’s sanction or tacit approval of such practices, these customs are considered to be sunnah (practices of Muhammad as part of the religion) by the ummah (Muslim nation). It includes customs like:
Saying Bismillah before eating and drinking and saying alhamdulillah after drinking and eating. Saying “Assalamualaikkum warahmathullahi wabarakaatuhu” when meeting someone and answering with wa alaikumussalam wa rahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu. Saying al ahamdulillah after sneezing and responding with yarhamukallah. Saying adhan in the right ear of a newborn and the iqama in its left. Not entering the host’s home until one has made sure his presence is welcome. Abstention from sexual relations during the menstrual cycle and the puerperal discharge, and ceremonial bath after the menstrual cycle, and janabah (seminal/ovular discharge or sexual intercourse. Burial rituals include funeral prayer of bathed and enshrouded body in coffin cloth and burying it in a grave. As Islam sees itself as more of a way of life than a religion, Islamic adab is concerned with all areas of an individual’s life.
