Islamic Marriage ( Anikah)

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.

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)

There follows a list of haraam things which both men and
women should avoid in the wedding party:
1- Mixing of men with women, and things that are
involved in that, such as greeting and shaking hands with
one another, and men and women dancing together,
because all of that is haraam and is a very serious matter.
2- Taking pictures, whether men do that amongst
themselves or women do that amongst themselves.
3- Drinking alcohol or eating pork.
4- Letting the husband come in to where the women are in
order to take his wife.
5- Women wearing revealing, tight or short clothes
amongst themselves, because this is haraam – so how
about wearing such things in front of men?
6- People should avoid spending extravagantly or going to
extremes in showing off in wedding parties, because that
may wipe out the blessing.
7- The husband and wife exchanging rings and thus
imitating the kuffaar, thinking that this will increase the
husband’s love for his wife and vice versa.
Finally, both partners should know that the more the
teachings of Islam are followed in the wedding party, the
more blessed their marriage will be, the more love and
harmony there will be between them, and the less
problems they will encounter in their married life. For if the
married life is based from the outset on haraam things
which go against the commands of Allaah, how can they
expect the marriage to be successful after that? There
have been many marriages in which there were things that
went against the commands of Allaah, and they did not
last. Fear Allaah with regard to this party and keep it free
of things that are forbidden in Islam. May Allaah bless you
both. We ask Allaah to give you and your husband
strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
And Allaah knows best.