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A Muslim wedding ceremony is the Nikah ceremony. The Islamic religious ritual of Nikah brings a Muslim man and woman together in holy marriage. This event holds a unique place of honor in the hearts of many families.
What is the meaning of Nikah?
A woman and man enter into an Islamic contract to be together, intimate and start a family. The term Nikah also has a connotation of closeness.
What are the requirements for Nikah?
1. Proposal- Someone must propose the Nikah procedure to begin, just like any other marriage. A woman or a man can propose, as long as the intention is to marry. It is typical for a man to propose in many cultures, but in Islam, a woman (or her family) might propose, as Khadijah, the Prophet [SAW] first wife, did.
2. Accepting the proposal- Accepting the proposal is a crucial step. During this period, the pair can ask questions and meet to understand better and assess their compatibility. They have the option of meeting in public or with the presence of a Mahram. Once they decide, they can go ahead with the Nikah ceremony.
3. Five major components of Nikah ceremony
- Bride & Groom– The consent of the groom and the bride are essential for a successful Nikah ceremony.
- Offer and Acceptance- A legitimate marriage requires both an offer and an acceptance. They must be transmitted verbally rather than in writing, and each of the two parties must hear the offer and acceptance declaration. All languages are permitted at this time.
- Wali- The existence of a wali is one of the prerequisites for a marriage to be legal; it is not acceptable for a woman to give herself in marriage without a wali. If she marries without a wali, her marriage is null and void. The bride’s male guardian is known as a wali. It may be her father, brother, grandfather, or paternal uncle from her paternal side of the family.
- Mahr– Allah has mandated Mahr as an obligatory gift. It is entirely upon the wife to decide what to do with the amount received in the form of Mahr. It is simply up to the wife to determine what to do with the Mahr money she has received. No one is permitted to remove any portion of it from her but herself. The wife’s parents do not even share the rights to Mahr.
- Witnesses- To guarantee that the bride and groom are marrying of their own free choice, two male witnesses must be present at the moment of offering and accepting the Nikah. All witnesses must be from among those who have reached the age of puberty. The Prophet (SAW) has stated, ‘There is no marriage except with witnesses.’ It is vital to make a public announcement after the nikah ceremony.
The Nikah
The necessity of simple wedding ceremonies is repeatedly emphasized in Islam. This is to guarantee that the couple and their families are not overburdened.
The purpose of Nikah is straightforward: it establishes a legitimate marriage in the eyes of Allah and the government. Couples will stand in front of the Imam and repeat the phrase “I accept.” To legalize the marriage, the couple signs the marriage contract in the presence of witnesses.
What is the difference between Marriage and Nikah?
The primary distinction between Nikah and Marriage is that marriage is the tie that the couple enters into, while the Nikah ritual makes it official.
Walima
It is the event that formally recognizes Nikah. The groom is in charge of organizing the Walima function. Both sides of the family, as well as acquaintances and neighbors, are invited. It is incorrect to ask just wealthy or upper-class individuals. It is necessary, according to Islam, to welcome individuals from all sorts of backgrounds.
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