The Nikah is the traditional ceremony for an Islamic marriage. It needs three entities—a willing couple, witnesses, and a mahr. The last one is a gift given by the groom to the bride. After gathering these and an imam willing to perform the ceremony, you can proceed with the ceremony. But what are the things you should observe during the event?
Planning the Ceremony
Before anything else, the foundation of a Nikah is the mutual consent between two people. It means you need full discussions before making the wedding arrangements. For more traditional couples, a formal marriage proposal is the best move, consulting the parents to secure their approval.
Take note, some mosques or imams can opt to refuse to perform the ceremony without parental presence. That means their approval can become crucial if you’re planning to hold the wedding in a conservative mosque.
Once you decided to get married, you’ll need to make preparations for the wedding day.
Here are some Steps you can take:
1.) Find an Imam for the Ceremony
Do you attend the mosque regularly? If so, ask one of the imams present whether they can perform the ceremony for you. Otherwise, search your locale for imams available to perform the Nikah for you.
Take note, you might need to donate money for this service.
2.) Find a Venue for the Ceremony
You can hold the ceremony anywhere, so don’t hesitate to find a suitable venue. You can arrange the ceremony at home, banquet halls, or other available spaces. But if you want to stick to tradition, perform the Nikah in a mosque.
If you go with the latter, make sure to talk with the local mosques and check their availability. You should also ask for possible fees for holding the ceremony. Make sure that the place has enough space to accommodate all your planned guests.
3.) Agree on a Mahr
This gift is often a sum of money, but the groom can also give objects and property. This serves as the symbol of the groom’s commitment. Remember, mahr doesn’t have a minimum or maximum value, but it often depends on how well-off the groom is.
As per tradition, the bride and her family can influence the value of the mahr. After all, it’s given to the bride to get some marriage independence. It allows her to have her own finances.
Discuss the value of the mahr before the wedding proceeds. You also have the option to give the mahr during the ceremony itself or sometime in the future. Be creative with the mahr if you want an alternative to the monetary sum.
4.) Find at Least Two Adult Muslims as Witnesses to the Ceremony
Tradition dictates that these witnesses are men. But with modern times, you need to ask the imam about the qualifications to become a witness. Some imams allow women to become witnesses.
If you’re keen on getting non-Muslim people to become your witnesses, ask your imam. Some are more flexible and less bound by tradition.
5.) Get a Guardian for the Bride
Traditional mosques will often require the presence of the bride’s father or another male guardian during the ceremony. Their role is to escort the bride to the groom. Ask the imam first to ensure whether they need this requirement.
Otherwise, you’re lucky enough to get away with a token that’s worth a few hundred dollars.
6.) Get an Official Marriage License from the Local Government
Once done with the pre-wedding arrangements, it’s time to hold the ceremony. The good news is that the ceremony is short and sweet. Most wedding ceremonies finish within an hour, but the nikah is shorter.
7.) Holding the Nikah Ceremony
Once done with the pre-wedding arrangements, it’s time to hold the ceremony. The good news is that the ceremony is short and sweet. Most wedding ceremonies finish within an hour, but the nikah is shorter.
What to expect in a Nikah Ceremony:
Let the Imam Give a Marriage Sermon
These traditional sermons are a staple of the ceremony. In most cases, the imam will recite specific prayers or recite passages from the Qur’an. Talk to your imam if you have some specific sermon requests.
Hold the Traditional Proposal and Acceptance
The imam lets the father ask the groom if he accepts his daughter for the marriage. This is part of the tradition, so ask your imam if you’d like to do this during the ceremony. Once included, the imam can dictate what to say to all parties.
Sign the Nikah Contract with the Witnesses in Sight
Once signed while witnessed by qualified people, the union becomes official. That means you’ll need all your guests to witness this contract-signing event. In some cases, the witnesses might need to sign the document too.
This part of the wedding is Nikah-Namah. It’s read aloud in Arabic while the couple signs the contract. After that, the Savaqah concludes the wedding eremony. The guests will often shower the bride with coins as they celebrate.
Hold the Walima After the Ceremony
Also known as the marriage banquet, Walima follows after the Nikah. It gives the couple an ample chance to celebrate their union alongside guests and community members. It’s a common expectation for people to hold a Walima if you invite them to witness your wedding ceremony.
Take note, you don’t need to be lavish with the food and drinks. What’s more important is to provide enough food for all the people who went to your Nikah ceremony. That way, they’ll celebrate with you in good faith.
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