What is Nikah?

Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract ceremony, representing the legal and spiritual union in Islam. It is a sacred contract between the bride, the groom, and Allah and is based on Quranic principles and Islamic law (Sharia). It is considered as the completion of half of one's faith and it establishes rights and responsibilities of both the spouses, creating legitimate family structure in Islamic context.

Image via Anika and Nishad

The different ceremony components in the Nikah ceremony include:

1. Ijab wa Qabul: It is the offer and acceptance of marriage
2. Khutbah: A religious sermon about marriage
3. Mehr/Mahr: The dower amount that the groom pays to the bride
4. Nikah nama: A written marriage contract
   
   

The Nikah ceremony has a witness requirement, which involves minimum two male witnesses or equivalent.

The Nikah also involves the recitation of Quranic verses and prayers and it constitutes legal marriage under Islamic law, while also defining financial obligations and rights and establishes inheritance rights. The Nikah ceremony can be performed at the mosque, at home, or at a venue and is sometimes followed by cultural celebration. 

Take a look at this muslim wedding traditions and rituals cheatsheet to get a better understanding of all the religious customs!