Nikaah (marriage) is a sacred social contract between bride and groom and is strongly encouraged in Islam. It is declared to be one half of a Muslim’s faith. In another narration, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been reported to have said,
‘Do not delay in three things; 1) The offering of the obligatory prayer. 2) The offering of the funeral prayer when the deceased’s body is present. 3) The marriage of a woman when her suitable match is found’
There are a number of things to be taken into consideration before one can arrange a Nikah such as:
1. Mutual consent from both the bride and groom for the Nikah (marriage)
2. Two adult witnesses who will be present at the Nikah
3. Mahr – The marriage-gift (Mahr) is a divine injunction. The giving of mahr to the bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract
What is Nikah?
The Nikah is the equivalent of marriage in English. It is a sacred and solemn social contract made between the bride and groom.
What is required to be Islamically married?
A Nikah must be performed between the bride and groom in order to be Islamically married.
Who performs the Nikah?
The Nikah is performed by the Imam or another Imam of the parties’ choosing.
Does my Nikah mean I am legally married?
No. The Nikah ceremony means you are Islamically married. You are not legally married until you obtain a marriage license from your local government,
or go through the dedicated processes your local government has in place to legally marry its residents.
As the bride, do I need a Wali (guardian)?
Yes. We suggest that the father or brother both of the groom and bride be present.
Do I need a marriage license prior to the Nikah?
Yes. You must bring a marriage license from your local town clerk otherwise the Nikah will not be conducted.
