Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies — Page 51
Send off ceremony. . Send Off Ceremony: (Rukhstana). After the Nikah ceremony the couple are regarded legally as husband and wife but generally they do not live together until the send off ceremony is performed. The bridegroom along with his relations, and friends visit the house of the bride or gather in any other suitable place where all her relations and well-wishers also gather for the occasion. Refreshments are generally served to the people present. Gifts and presents are given to the couple by the parents of the bride and other well-wishers in order to help them set up their own independent life. With prayers the bride is bid farewell. It should be noted however that it is not essential for the bridegroom and his party to visit the bride's house for this ceremony. Sometimes the bride is bid farewell by her parents and relatives and she joins her husband in his house. 51