nikah

Nikah is the Islamic marriage contract that unites two people in a legally binding and sacred bond. In Islamic law, it is an aqd, or contract, that confers rights and duties on the spouses and is typically performed with religious sincerity and community recognition.

The core elements are the offer and acceptance (ijab and qabul) in the presence of witnesses; the consent of both parties; and the mahr, a mandatory bridal gift specified in the contract. The bride's wali, or guardian, is required in many Sunni traditions to contract the marriage with the groom, and at least two adult Muslim witnesses are usually present.

Generally, a nikah is followed by a walima, a wedding feast; in many jurisdictions, it may be legally recognized when registered with civil authorities; in others, nikah alone is religiously binding but must be complemented by civil law to obtain legal status.

Variations exist among schools and communities. In Sunni Islam, nikah is typically considered a permanent union; Shia Islam has similar concepts but may differ in matters such as guardianship and formalities. Some traditions in various communities recognize temporary relationships called mut’ah, which are distinct from standard nikah.

Mahr is obligatory; it becomes the wife's property and is specified in the contract, either as money or goods. Consent is essential; coercion or lack of capacity invalidates the marriage.

After marriage, spouses have mutual rights and responsibilities, including support, living arrangements, and, in many countries, inheritance and property rights. The nikah remains central to Islamic perspectives on marriage, while its legal status interacts with local civil law in different jurisdictions.