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Nikkah in Islam
Nikkah in Islam is a Contract Between Two Persons, Not Their Families.
Nikkah is an Arabic word. We receive several inquiries about Nikkah, , Nikkah in Islam, process of Nikkah, What is Nikkah, concept of nikkah, daily. Here you would find all necessary information about Nikkah.
In Islam, the contract of marriage, also known as Nikkah, is considered a civil agreement between two people. The wedding ceremony might be held in a mosque, or at home, or anywhere else. But with the Nikkah, in which two people formally declare their marriage vows to each other and sign a contract, Islam’s most important religious duty is fulfilled.
Islam encourages Nikkah because it shields us from so many social ills that are the result of sexual immorality and loose relationships between men and women. Therefore, young people should get married as soon as possible in life, once they have achieved a certain level of financial stability and education. For those who cannot afford to marry yet, they must distance themselves from all situations that might lead them into sin. Most importantly, they should not delay getting married once they have reached the point where they can afford it.
As you have understood that Nikkah is a contract that is only done between the man and woman entering marriage. As you’re putting your signatures on your Nikkahnama, it’s important to remember that it’s only between you and your future spouse. Neither of your families are required to be there. It’s all about what the couple wants, not about what their parents or other family members want for them. Though your friends and family will be integral to helping you prepare for the wedding, their terms and conditions don’t belong on the contract.
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Nikkah is Performed in 3 Steps
Nikkah is performed in three steps:
- Ijab-e-Qubul (the proposal and acceptance): the groom proposes to the bride in the presence of two witnesses, and the offer is accepted.
- The mahr agreement: where a minimum amount of mahr has been agreed upon by both parties. This takes place in front of two witnesses.
- The Nikkah contract is signed by both the groom and bride pledging their commitment to each other in accordance with Islamic law.
Ijab-e-Qubul (The Proposal and Acceptance During Nikkah)
The Ijab-e-Qubul is the basic part of a Nikah. In this, the man proposes to the woman and the woman accepts it. Both, man, and woman must be present and neither party can propose on behalf of a man or accept on behalf of a woman, but only if anyone or both have appointed some attorneys/proxies. There need not be any witnesses, but it is recommended to have at least two witness presents to avoid any confusion later. The Ijab-e-Qubul can be performed as follows:
- The person proposing presents his proposal to the woman that he wants her as his wife.
- At this point, there is no need for him to elaborate further how he wants her as his wife because she will automatically assume that he means normal, permanent marriage since no other relationship is being proposed here.
- Then comes the acceptance part where she says in Arabic or Urdu “Qabool hai” meaning “I accept.”
This completes Ijab-e-Qubul wherein both parties are now aware of each other’s intent for marriage and consent has been given by both parties freely.
The Mahr or Mehar Agreement for Nikkah
The mahr/mehar (dower money) is a gift that the groom gives to the bride during an Islamic marriage ceremony. The mahr is meant to be a token of appreciation for the bride’s family for raising her and can be paid in advance or after the wedding. It is usually paid in cash, but it can also be given in kind.
The Nikkah Contract is Signed by the Bride and Groom.
When the agreement is drawn up, the bride and groom must be presenN. They must sign the agreement in front of witnesses. If they cannot sign their names, they can sign with a thumbprint.
The contract should be witnessed by at least 2 people. The more men witness the ceremony would be better. This will ensure that no one can dispute the authenticity of your contract later. It’s also important that this contract be in writing; oral agreements are not legally binding, and you want an enforceable document if things go wrong.
The Terms of Post-Nikkah haven't been Spelled out in the Quran or Hadith.
While the Nikkah binds the husband and wife as one, there are no specific rules or guidelines mentioned in the Quran or Hadith about how to live post-Nikkah. It’s up to you and your spouse to decide what works for both of you. As a Muslim, however, you should know that Islam emphasizes equality between spouses and praises relationships where the partners treat each other with respect. The husband is responsible for supporting his wife and children, while the wife has equal rights in managing household decisions.