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In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Marriage in Islam
Marriage (nikah) is considered as an act of worship (ibadah). The marriage ceremony is a social as well as a religious activity. Islam advocates simplicity in ceremonies and celebrations.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, considered simple weddings the best weddings: "The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed". (Mishkat)
Requirements
for an Islamic Marriage
1) Mutual agreement 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.
4) Legal male guardian (wakeel) representing the bride.
5) Written marriage contract ('Aqd-Nikah) signed by the bride and
the groom and witnesses by two adult and sane witnesses
6) Qadi (State appointed Muslim judge) or Ma'zoon (a responsible
person) officiating the marriage ceremony.
7) Khutba-tun-Nikah to solemnize the marriage
Mutual Agreement of Bride
and Groom
Islam does not endorse 'forced marriages'. Marriage (nikah) is a
sacred social contract between bride and groom. This contract is
a strong covenant as Allah the Most High has told us, ".....and
they have taken from you a firm and strong covenant." [Quran
4:21]. The marriage contract in Islam is not a sacrament, it is
revocable in cases of anullment/divorce.
Both the bride and the groom MUST agree to enter into this contract. Both bride and groom have the freedom to define various conditions (within the teachings of Islam) and make them a part of this contract. Once written into the contract, the couple must honor them.
Mahr
The dowry (Mahr) is an injunction. The giving of the mahr to the
bride by the groom is an essential part of the contract as Allah
ta'ala tells us,
"And give the women (on marriage) their mahr as a free gift"
[Quran 4:4]
The Bride is to inform the groom what she wants as her mahr. Mahr is a token commitment of the husband's responsibility and may be paid in cash, property or other objects to the bride herself. During the time of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, at least one couple married with the mahr of him promising to teach her the verses he knew from the Qur'an. The amount of mahr is not legally specified, however, moderation is recommended. Too many times women have asked for a mahr that is too high and the men have to work for years to save this amount of money before they can marry. It is not recommended to delay marriage when one is ready to marry. The mahr is to be paid immediately to the bride at the time of marriage.
Once the contract is written and the mahr given, the contract is signed by the bride and groom and two male 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, peace be upon him, made it his tradition (sunnah) to have a 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 kindness, piety, mutual love, 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. 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 (du'a) for bride, groom, their respective families, the local Muslim community, and the Muslim community at large (Ummah).
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, peace be upon him, 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, peace be upon him, said: "...and he who refuses to accept an invitation to a marriage feast, verily disobeys Allah and His Prophet". (Ahmad & Abu Dawood)
