Nikah: Islamic Marriage in Detail

Significance

Marriage (nikah) in Islam is a sacred contract and an act of worship. The Prophet said: 'Marriage is my sunnah, and whoever turns away from my sunnah is not of me' (Sunan Ibn Majah 1846). It is the only lawful means of fulfilling intimate desires and is the foundation of the Muslim family and, by extension, the Muslim community.

Pillars and Conditions

Pillars: The offer (ijab) and acceptance (qabul) between the groom and the bride's guardian (wali), witnessed by at least two adult Muslim male witnesses (or one male and two females according to the Hanafi school). Conditions: Consent of both parties (the bride's consent is absolutely required), specification of the mahr (dowry), absence of impediments (such as being within the prohibited degrees of kinship), and the presence of the wali (guardian), which is a condition according to the majority of scholars but not in the Hanafi school where a mature woman can contract her own marriage.

The Mahr (Dowry)

The mahr is a mandatory gift from the groom to the bride. It belongs to her exclusively and she has full right to dispose of it. There is no minimum or maximum, but the Prophet encouraged moderation: 'The most blessed marriage is the one with the least burden' (Musnad Ahmad). The mahr can be cash, property, or even teaching the bride Quran (based on a hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari 5087).

Rights and Responsibilities

Both spouses have clearly defined rights. The husband is responsible for providing housing, food, clothing, and kind treatment. The wife has the right to her mahr, to be treated with respect and kindness, and to maintain her own property and finances independently. The Quran commands: 'Live with them in kindness' (4:19).