An-Nikah: The hadith about marriage covenant

An-Nikah: The hadith about marriage covenant

An-Nikah: The marriage covenant

Quran and Hadith about marriage. What does Nikah mean and what does it take to enter into a marriage agreement in Islam? It is a strong contract or covenant (mithaqun Ghalithun) as expressed in Quran 4:21.

Mutual Agreement of Bride and Groom

Marriage (nikah) is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom. This contract is a strong covenant (mithaqun ghalithun) as expressed in Quran 4:21. The marriage contract in Islam is not a sacrament. It is revocable.

Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract. Both bride and groom have the liberty to define various terms and conditions of their liking and make them a part of this contract.

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.

'And give the women (on marriage) their mahr as a (nikah) free gift" (Quran 4:4)

Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or movable objects to the bride herself. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation according to the existing social norm is recommended. The mahr may be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage, or deferred to a later date, or a combination of both. The deferred mahr however, falls due in case of death or divorce.

One matrimonial party expresses 'ijab" willing consent to enter into marriage and the other party expresses 'qubul" acceptance of the responsibility in the assembly of marriage ceremony. The contract is written and signed by the bride and the groom and their two respective witnesses. This written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) is then announced publicly.

Sermon

The assembly of nikah is addressed with a marriage sermon (khutba-tun-nikah) by the Muslim officiating the marriage. In marriage societies, customarily, a state appointed Muslim judge (Qadi) officiates the nikah ceremony and keeps the record of the marriage contract. However any trust worthy practicing Muslim can conduct the nikah ceremony, as Islam does not advocate priesthood. The documents of marriage contract/certificate are filed with the mosque (masjid) and local government for record.

Prophet Muhammad (S) made it his tradition (sunnah) to have marriage sermon delivered in the assembly to solemnize the marriage. The sermon invites the bride and the groom, as well as the participating guests in the assembly to a life of piety, mutual love, kindness, and social responsibility.

The Khutbah-tun-Nikah begins with the praise of Allah. His help and guidance is sought. The Muslim confession of faith that 'There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His servant and messenger" is declared. The three Quranic verses (Quran 4:1, 3:102, 33:70-71) and one Prophetic saying (hadith) form the main text of the marriage. This hadith is:

'By Allah! Among all of you I am the most God-fearing, and among you all, I am the supermost to save myself from the wrath of Allah, yet my state is that I observe prayer and sleep too. I observe fast and suspend observing them; I marry woman also. And he who turns away from my Sunnah has no relation with me". (Bukhari)

The Muslim officiating the marriage ceremony concludes the ceremony with prayer (Dua) for bride, groom, their respective families, the local Muslim community, and the Muslim community at large (Ummah)

Marriage (nikah) is considered as an act of worship (ibadah). It is virtuous to conduct it in a Mosque keeping the ceremony simple. The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations.

Prophet Muhammad (S) considered simple weddings the best weddings:

'The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed". (Mishkat)

Primary Requirements

  1. Mutual agreement (Ijab-O-Qubul) by the bride and the groom
  2. Two adult and sane witnesses
  3. Mahr (marriage-gift) to be paid by the groom to the bride either immediately (muajjal) or deferred (muakhkhar), or a combination of both

Secondary Requirements

  1. Legal guardian (wakeel) representing the bride
  2. Written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) signed by the bride and the groom and witnesses by two adult and sane witnesses
  3. Qadi (State appointed Muslim judge) or Ma'zoon (a responsible person officiating the marriage ceremony)
  4. Khutba-tun-Nikah to solemnize the marriage

The Marriage Banquet (Walima)

After the consummation of the marriage, the groom holds a banquet called a walima. The relatives, neighbors, and friends are invited in order to make them aware of the marriage. Both rich and poor of the family and community are invited to the marriage feasts.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said:

'The worst of the feasts are those marriage feasts to which the rich are invited and the poor are left out". (Mishkat)

It is recommended that Muslims attend marriage ceremonies and marriage feasts upon invitation.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said:

"...and he who refuses to accept an invitation to a marriage feast, verily disobeys Allah and His Prophet". (Ahmad & Abu Dawood)


Printed with permission: Marriage and Family in Islam by Mohammad Mazhar Hussaini

Comments

Salam... plz reply me on Email ID

Location

Sangli

salam.. i m a muslim girl.. meri ak frnd hai js ne ghar walo se chup k nikah kiya hai fone pe... or sirf un 2no ne ALLAH or us k RASUL ko hazir nazir jan k 3 bar nikah k kaalmat bool k purye dill k sath qabool kiya tha be_shak KHUDA tu niyaton ko janta hai .... plz tell me k is situation mein nikah ho jata hai kya I really need help can someone help.... please? plz reply zarur kijiye ga jald az jald... plz m w8ng....

Location

Sangli

It is all fabrication, there is no love in Islam. love is one. for how many women muslim has love, 2,3, and 4 even mohammed himself married 13 womens, does he used to give the same love for all? the answer is No. he used to love Ashia more than others because she was the yougest.Mutta Marrege, Muslim allowed to marry women for few hours or years.Divorece..if muslim man said his wife 3xI divorce you. the marrage is ended up.It is just non sense.

Location

London

Salam..i went through the cases described here.. i do have a question regarding love marriages. If a muslim girl is truly in love with a hindu guy and both want to mary, wat would be the possibilities?..... In case she is forced to marry another muslim guy and she is unable to involve herself in that relation mentally and heartily, then is it advisable for her marry someone else? If no then what would happen to her parents duties regarding her marriage?

Location

Orissa

@sana from lahore,ye nikah nehi huwa hay. sorry i cant speak much urdu. all i can say. without 2 witnesses the marriage is not valid. u need at least 2 witnesses to make a marriage valid infront of allah. this is must. @altaf nazir from kashmir,islam does not allow dating. if u already in love with a girl or even did something sinful. You should get marry to that as soon as possible and ask for allahs forgiveness.

Location

london

How does the Muslim Marriage Ceremony begin?

Location

London

Assalamu alikum,sir i would like to ask you quashion in islam we can not love a women before marriage but if such caseses happen than what they have to do for that sin ?

Location

srinager(jammu & kashmir)

aslmwalekum.....im in a big problem...im married but i dont love my husband...i love some other guy and he is shia...and i want to marry him aftr taking divorce from my husband...but the problem is i had sex with himbeing in nikaah with my husband...so my boyfriend says that now we cant married as now im haram for him...but can u plz suggest me something regarding this i want to marry my boy friend...i mean to ask is there any kufaraah for that..so that i can marry him...plz reply plzz..

Location

hyderabad

assalamualikum..I'm 23 yrs.old lady working in Qatar.and just made my rebirth for Islam few months ago.and I have a muslim boyfriend who wants to marry me.now i want to know the requirements if we will getting married in my place which is philippines.can you please help us for that?because we want this relationship by halal.shuokran

Location

cavite philippines

A.O.A. CAN WE DO NIKAH WITHOUT WITNESSES? PLEASE PLEASE HELP US. GUIDE US BEFORE WE COMMIT A SIN. i need ur help. i m in love wid a boy and he loves me so much. we both are studying right now but our parents are not willing since we are studying. ALLAH shall bless u a lot. help us please.

Location

LaHORE

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