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In Islam, marriage is approved as a blessing of Allah, and it aims to meet the emotional and physical needs of individuals as well as strengthen family and community bonds.
Here’s the significance and difference steps involved in a Muslim wedding. (Image: Shutterstock)
In Islam, Nikah is not just a social contract, but also a marriage between a Muslim and a woman as per the tenets of Islam. In the light of Islamic Shariah, marriage is approved as a blessing of Allah, which aims at meeting the emotional and physical needs of individuals as well as strengthening family and community bonds. This wedding season, let us deep delve into the Muslim wedding culture.
QURANIC FOUNDATIONS
The word Nikah is mentioned several times or referenced in different verses, in the Quran. For example, Surah Ar-Rum (30:21) states:
“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find rest in them and He placed between you affection and mercy.”
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THE IMPORTANCE OF NIKAH
Completion of Faith
Nikah is said to complete half the Deen (faith) of a person. The Prophet Muhammad stated: “When a servant of God gets married, they have certainly completed half of their Deen; so let them be conscious of God in the remaining half.”
This narration and message highlight the importance of marriage in the religious life of Muslims.
Legal and Social Recognition
The Nikah ceremony is an official conjugial procedure that makes marriage legal according to Islamic law. Both individuals must consent to it, and that too in the presence of other people to ensure transparency. This legislation safeguards and defines the role of both spouses.
Mahr
As a part of Nikah, another important requisite is Mahr. It is an essential gift from the husband to the wife before they start their married life. It lays stress on the obligation that the husband has towards his wife and affirms her dignity in the marriage. The Mahr can be small or huge but should be appropriate and acceptable to both parties.
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Public Declaration
The Prophet Muhammad encouraged public announcements of marriages to curb any negative tendency or gossip towards this holy union.
THE NIKAH CEREMONY
The Nikah ceremony typically involves these key elements:
Khutbah (Sermon)
An officiant, also known as Imam, delivers a lecture and stresses the responsibilities of each spouse in wedlock.
Consent of bride and groom
The approval of both parties is necessary to take forth the wedding rituals. To do so, both a man and a woman have to verbally repeat “I accept” (Qubool hai) three times.
Signing of the contract
If consent is given by both parties, they sign the marriage contract in front of two or more witnesses.
Celebration
This is followed by a feast called Walima. The feast is a celebratory party hosted by the groom’s side of the family.
