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
- Mutual agreement (Ijab-O-Qubul) by the bride and the groom
- Two adult and sane witnesses
- 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
- Legal guardian (wakeel) representing the bride
- Written marriage contract ("Aqd-Nikah) signed by the bride and the groom and witnesses by two adult and sane witnesses
- Qadi (State appointed Muslim judge) or Ma'zoon (a responsible person officiating the marriage ceremony)
- 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
Hello, I need a help please. The guy who i fell in love with is Muslim. He wants me to do Nikah with him but he is already married and he is not in divorcing process and his wife doesnt know about it. Will the Nikah be valid? I think it wont be even it will be done according the rules. Am I right? I dont understand why he wants it so much.
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excellent. Mashallah.
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In a marriage you can marry anyone aslong as they are muslim, we all have a choice as it is stated in islam, many people confuse traditions with religion, but bringing shame to a family is a culture thing not a religious thing where it concerns marriage, make sure the person is decent and nice , as it is you who will spend your life with the person not your family, you dont get rewarded for pleasing others and later saying i did it for my family, allah has given you the choice to say yes or no to the marriage, hope that helps, if you need further clarification email me at rayrs@hotmail.com
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I AM MUSLIM BOY,I LOVE ONE GIRL,SHE IS ALSO MUSLIM,BUT BOTH CAST ARE DIFFRENT,HENCEFORTH OUR PARIENTS IS NOT AGRRE FOR MARRIAGE WITH HER. WE LOVE EACH OTHER. SHE LIVES IN BIHAR.PLEASE SIR/MADAM GIVE ME SUGGESTION HOW TO DO MARRIAGE WITH HER. I WANT TO DO COURT MARRIAGE,IS IT POSSIBLE,PLEASE TELL ME,HOW TO DO COURT MARRIAGE.
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Very precise and informative.. good for youth to understand the meaning of marriage in Islamic concept and its process..Jazkallahhaamed pashaToronto
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I'm a 20 year old muslim girl living in England. My mum and dad arranged my marriage to a guy from Pakistan (dad’s nephew) when i was 16..(the guy at the time was 19). At the time my mom did ask me if i was ok with it...I was 16 years old..I didn’t know anything and never thought about marriage so i just said whatever you think. But since i was 17/18...I've been telling my mum that i really don’t like him and don’t want to get married to the guy. She doesn’t listen to me, she comes out with “hes family” if you don’t marry him who else is there for you? And how can you say you don’t want to marry him you haven’t even seen him”…She made me speak to him for the first time when I was 19, I spoke to him a few times... and he comes across as very clever and acts like he knows it all, I find him really annoying and he thinks too much of him self… And I am sure.. definitely sure that I do not want to marry him. But whenever I tell my mom she just starts accusing me of having a boyfriend. I do not have a boyfriend and I don't know who i would marry.I have thought about just going through with this to give my parents mind some peace. but should I really take that sort of risk which could ruin both our lives..? If I don’t marry him I’ll bring shame to the family and if i go ahead with it and it ends up in divorce.I really need some advice..can someone help..Please
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Informative
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assalamualikum i want to ask u that i m geeting nikah so whatr shoud i pay on mehr means how much
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i am a catholic, was married to an American citizen last 2004 & got divorced a year after. legally divorced in US but not recognized yet in the phils. so technically i am still married under phil laws. I am with my american boyfriend for almost 2 years now here in the phils. Is it possible that we can both convert to Islam so we can be married here in the phils? Is that still legal?
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i have a relationship with a 18 year old girl. i want to marry her. but my parents dont want me to marry her because she has not passed intermediate yet. but her parents want her marry as soon as possible because many proposal comer for her. we love each other very much. moreover she is about to die because i wanted to marry her with my parents concern but my parents didnot agree. what can i do now? should i marry her without informing my parents. her family is positive about me.
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