The Wedding: Part 1 – Akad Nikah JB

Posted by azuan on Jan 17, 2009 in :: All Posts ::, Wedding | 0 comments

It has been 3 weeks since I got married and it’s about time I post the ‘stories’ behind this once in a lifetime adventure from a bachelor to a husband in a series of post exclusively on azuanzahdi.com.

Before i begin, allow me to thank all of you out there involved in the preparation of our weddings. Thank you.

Part 1 covers the solemnization or ‘akad nikah’ which in the most important phase of the whole wedding event. The akad nikah is where a muslim malay officially be married according to Islam.

(All photos are courtesy of my brother’s Sonly Alpha 700)

On 26th Dec, a day before the akad nikah ceremony, my family and relatives traveled down to JB for the akad nikah and wedding dinner ceremony for the bride’s family. 3 cars from Shah Alam, a car from Alor Star, a car from Kuantan, 3 cars from Batu Pahat and 3 cars from KL all met up at JB for my big day.

Preparations for the akad nikah ceremony goes way back few months earlier, preparing for the wedding gifts, sourcing for funds to be used as ‘duit hantaran’, getting the necessary arrangements to be ready such as caterer, f&b, logistics, video, photography, costumes, invites etc. It all goes to this 27th Dec 2008 weekend and the weekend after that.

On the way from Shah Alam to JB, I drove my altis with two of my best friends, Zamil and Aie. Despite many of my uncles and aunties advising me not to drive, I love my altis too much and driving kept my nerves calm for the 3.5 hours journey. Everything went as planned except when we almost reached JB when my car was flagged down by a police pajero for speeding. I was told by the officer that I was running at 130++ km/h. I am someone with dignity and never give away ‘coffee money’ to the police so I was ready to take the speeding ticket. As a last resort I tried apologizing and telling the officer the truth that I am really going for an akad nikah ceremony. He saw my baju melayu and some documents at the back seat and to my surprise he let us go with a friendly warning I guess luck was really on my side…

Once we arrived safely in the hotel, I got my 2 little fingers on both hands dyed with henna as part of the berinai ceremony. The only thing missing was the ceremony as I got it in the comfort of my hotel room with the help of my sis-in law.

27th Dec 2008 (Morning)

D-Day.

5.30am – Woke up early and wakes up my 2 best men. All set for a very long day.

6.00am – Had breakfast at the hotel coffee house the second they start serving breakfast.

6.30am – Had the bath according to custom as ‘cooldown bath’ to make sure I’m calm throughout the day. Any 6.30 am bath with cold water and lime and flowers will make a human being cool! Followed by Subuh prayer

7.00am – Get ready with new pair of white baju melayu given during my engagement ceremony by my bride. Sampin is the same sampan worn by my brother during his akad-nikah as part of ‘turun-temurun’ family tradition.

With the help of my mum, who spearheaded the coordination of our family for the wedding

And of course my best men

9.00am – Last minute preparation at the hotel lobby while waiting for the rest of the family to get ready

Family photo

9.30am – My family delegation arrived at bride’s family house in Straits View.

Heart pounding while waiting for the imam

10.20am – The moment of truth. I am officially married. With a single verse, I an officially the husband of Nur Jihan Fadzil or Jiji in short.

Tears from my eyes started to flow as I was too happy and proud. Both of us were raised up in a very well-mannered family and now I take the hands of Jiji from her family.

I was asked to read few emotional paragraphs asking permission from Jiji’s parents to take her away. I was prepared for this moment but still it proved to be too emotional.

11.00am – I thank God and still thanking God for what I get.

11.15am – For the first time, Jiji take my hands as a husband.

11.30am – Both families exchanged the wedding gifts.

More photos on my Facebook.

I will continue with the next post on the wedding reception held in Kompleks Mawar JB on the same day.